Published: May 22, 2015, 5:50 AM
Updated: June 12, 2015, 4:11 PM
10 great car choices for recent grads
▲
Another rite of passage!
Leaving the sweet embrace of post-secondary education can be a slightly terrifying thing. Yes, you've graduated, but you may still be more than a little naïve about life, your career and even the future in general – not to mention bogged down with student loans to repay. Chances are, in the next little while, you may want or need to buy some kind of personal transportation to take you to that very important first real job so we're here to help.
▲
New or "new-to-you?
We’ve assembled 10 suggestions that should help take some pressure off one of life’s biggest decisions. There are five new and five ‘new-to-you’ choices, just in case your six-figure student debt puts too big a crimp on your available cash or credit to opt for new. And we’ve consulted with Canadian Black Book to provide average asking prices for the used choices.
Don’t expect much flash here, but none of these are penalty boxes either.
▲
2015 Honda Civic
New cars first. Honda’s ninth-generation Civic is a perfect example of the art of compromise. While once it was a tiny gas-sipping sub-compact, 40 years later, it’s evolved into a much more sophisticated, entertaining, stylish car. Some will bemoan the softening of its ride and its reliance more and more on technology, but the Civic is still an excellent car.
▲
2015 Honda Civic
The two-door Coupe body is a great change in looks from the staid sedan, but is it worth having less flexibility for hauling people around. Another decision for you to make. Either way, it's a good buy. Even the base DX at $15,750 comes with a fuel-friendly 1.8-litre engine, power windows, steering-wheel mounted secondary controls, and a four-speaker audio system.
▲
2015 Hyundai Elantra
After decades of rough-looking Korean copycats, Hyundai has forged ahead of the pack and continues to build momentum. Even though the shape of the fifth-generation Elantra hasn’t altered much since its intro as a 2011 model, the recently updated compact sedan continues to be a winner. It’s still the sexiest looking small four-door on sale today, and its interior style and quality are just as impressive.
▲
2015 Hyundai Elantra
The Elantra It gets very good fuel economy from its 148-hp 1.8-litre engine, which comes standard with every Elantra – even the $15,999 base L. The $20,499 GLS is the best balance between style and substance, with a long list of standard safety and convenience features. And don't forget the warranty – Hyundai's basic warranty is for 5 years/100,000 km, while that for most of its major competitors is just 3 years/60,000 km.
▲
2015 Kia Rio
Kia’s excellent Rio, especially in hatchback form, is one surprisingly stylish little car. It has lots of European influence inside and out, but don’t think it’s only a pretty face. The flexibility offered by a reasonably big cargo area and split-folding rear seats is one of the main reasons Canadians enjoy these so-called five-door hatches, of which the Rio is aprime example.
▲
2015 Kia Rio
Mechanically, the Rio combine a 137-horsepower 1.6-litre engine with six-speed transmissions, manual or automatic, and even offers fuel-saving stop-start ignition on the Eco model. Prices start at $14,695, although if you want air conditioning and Bluetooth connectivity, that bumps up to a tad over $16,000. Like its sister Hyundai brand, Kia's basic warranty coverage is for 5 years/100,000 km.
▲
2015 Toyota Corolla
When it comes to having dollars and cents make sense, it’s hard not to recommend the Toyota Corolla. Given its fuel efficient 1.8-litre engine, rock-solid reliability, high levels of standard safety and near-class-leading resale values, the Corolla absolutely adds up on paper.
▲
2015 Toyota Corolla
In its latest guise, the Corolla finally looks pretty good too. At least it won’t blend completely into its surroundings like its beige predecessors. With a starting price of $15,995, it’s not the most thrilling car to drive and it probably won’t get your heart racing, but to many, the value proposition it offers is a quality to be coveted.
▲
2015 Volkswagen Jetta
Learning to do more with less is the Jetta’s calling card. The latest versions grew in size but shrank in price. How? By ditching all the expensive technologies and materials that are traditionally found in German cars in favour of harder plastics, older engines and more basic suspension designs. The 2.0-litre engine found in the base Trendline debuted in the Reagan administration, but it does the job without complaint.
▲
2015 Volkswagen Jetta
The one big thing the Jetta offers is space – class-leading space with room to stretch out. It’s not far off the mid-sized Passat in that respect, but costs only $14,990 in base trim. If money is no object (Ha!) there's the TDi diesel at the other end of the Jetta model range with all its glorious low-end torque and even better fuel economy. Either way, of course, you get that shiny Volkswagen badge on the front too.
▲
2007-2011 Honda CR-V
Honda’s most popular SUV has had its ups and downs, but the third generation CR-V is a pretty good choice when shopping used. It's not as comically styled as the later models and it still offers Honda’s well-known reliability and frugality. A basic interior proves to be very functional, and isn’t hampered by the touch-screen mess filtering its way into the current SUVs.
▲
2007-2011 Honda CR-V
The earlier CRV's 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine produces 166 horsepower and is matched to a five-speed automatic transmission. Availability of an optional all-wheel drive system is the only real choice to make mechanically. CBB's average price for a 2009 LX AWD is $14,790.
▲
2011-2013 Kia Forte5
Small, inexpensive wagons are few and far between anymore. Sure, Volkswagen does the Golf wagon, but it starts in the low 20s. Kia’s last-generation Forte5 is more a small hatch than full-blown wagon, but there’s enough room with the seats folded down to haul moving boxes, laundry bags and camping gear. In short it's a very versatile vehicle as well as being reasonably attractive.
▲
2011-2013 Kia Forte5
The mid-range Forte5 EX includes a six-speed automatic transmission, alloy wheels, air conditioning, a six-speaker audio system with USB input, heated front seats and cruise control. Its 156-horsepower 2.0-litre engine is quite fuel efficient too, and the Forte5 is generally more entertaining than its sedan sibling. According to CBB, the average prices for 2012 EX hatches are just over $12,000.
▲
2008-2013 Mazda3
Mazda is making some beautiful and efficient machines these days, but that doesn’t mean its back catalogue should be ignored. And there’s one thing the second-generation Mazda3 can guarantee – no matter how bad a day you’ve had, its big smiling grin will turn your frown upside. Also kicking in to help the endorphins level is its fun-to-drive demeanor.
▲
2008-2013 Mazda3
The Mazda3's pair of four-cylinder engines – either a 148-horsepower 2.0-litre or 167-horsepower 2.5-litre -- are not as fuel efficient as its contemporaries, but they have a solid reputation forreliability. CBB says a 2011 Mazda3 Sport GS with automatic transmission averages around $13,000 in price.
▲
2011-2014 Nissan Juke
This choice might cause some debate given the controversial face and exterior styling of Nissan’s small Juke SUV, but it’s definitely a love-it-or-leave-it affair and a lot of people clearly love it. The motorcycle-inspired interior is much less controversial, though. Supportive seats and logical controls are the highlights, including the centre display that switches between driving modes and HVAC controls almost seamlessly.
▲
2011-2014 Nissan Juke
The Juke's turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine produces 185 horsepower and is quite torquey too. The optional all-wheel-drive system, matched exclusively to a CVT, is pretty smart, with a torque-vectoring rear axle, something still rare even on more expensive machines. The average price for AWD Juke SL models from 2012 is now $18,380 according to CBB.
▲
2009-2012 Toyota Tacoma
Compact and mid-size pickups are starting to boom again, but for those wanting something used and smaller than an ocean liner, the Toyota Tacoma is arguably the best option. Sharing some bits with the legendary Hilux, but designed for North American tastes, the Tacoma is a tough, reliable and reasonably frugal – at least compared with the thirsty V-8s of its full size competition.
▲
2009-2012 Toyota Tacoma
Most Tacomas come with Toyota's proven 4.0-litre V-6 engine, rated at 236 horsepower, and a five-speed automatic transmission with four-wheel drive optional. Two bed lengths and three cab styles – regular, extended and crew – are available making for a number of possible combinations. A 2011 V-6 4x4 Access Cab has an average asking price of $22,700, per CBB.
▲
null