Graduation is a major achievement that ends one chapter of your life and begins another. And once you've hit that milestone, it might be time to find yourself a reliable vehicle that will best suit your needs in the next phase of life – whether that’s heading off to college or starting a new job. Among the biggest considerations for grads looking for the right vehicle are affordability, fuel efficiency, safety and storage space. John Elledge, Head of Hertz Car Sales Retail Operations, shares his top vehicle picks for grads.
Affordability
When buying a vehicle, price is often the biggest factor when making a purchase decision. A pre-owned sedan is a great way to go for a vehicle that's budget friendly. The Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima, Toyota Corolla, and Kia Forte are all popular picks. Specific pricing on one of these models will depend on mileage and trim level, however many of these models are typically available at Hertz Car Sales for less than $20,000.
Fuel Efficiency
Keeping fuel costs down is a great way to lower vehicle ownership expenses and helps protect your budget during gas price increases. You can go with an EV, such as the popular Chevy Bolt, a hybrid, or choose an efficient gas-powered vehicle that achieves high MPG ratings – like a Toyota Camry or Corolla. The 4-cylinder Toyota Camry gets an estimated 28 MPG city and 39 MPG highway while the Corolla can get an estimated 32 MPG in city driving and 41 MPG on the highway. Both options are great picks if you want to save money at the gas pump without sacrificing the style of your vehicle.
Safety Features
Modern vehicles can include both standard and optional features to keep you and your passengers safe. Our favorite picks for safety technology include the Toyota Camry, Corolla, and RAV4. Standout safety features available in these models include a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning.
Storage Space
For young drivers who need plenty of space, we recommend the GMC Terrain, Nissan Rogue, and Ford Edge. The Terrain offers nearly 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, along with over 39 inches of rear legroom. You get a good balance of rear passenger comfort with plenty of room for all your gear or moving boxes as you head to college or your own place. The Rogue offers a generous 36.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, with only a bit less legroom than the Terrain at 38.5 inches. As a midsize crossover, the Ford Edge offers the most rear cargo space and rear legroom of these 3 models at 73 cubic feet and 40.6 inches respectively.
At Hertz Car Sales, we make car buying for new graduates and young drivers simple and stress-free. We offer a wide selection of quality vehicles at competitive prices and a no-pressure shopping experience. In addition, each Hertz Certified vehicle includes a 12-month/12,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and a 7-day buyback guarantee. We invite you to browse our vehicles online or visit a Hertz Car Sales location near you today.
