Congrats, class of 2017. You are done with the most important aspect of your life and are looking forward to the next phase. This includes either working at a dream or starter job, buying some nice stuff, and begin to pay on the the massive student loans.
But, before getting all overwhelmed with most cars available and what to buy, consider referencing this list. The following cars are all under $25,000:
1. Mazda 3
This car is a beast. It starts at $17,485 and has a lot going for it. It is compact with an excellent fuel economy, a nice interior, and an outstanding safety rating. But all of that is good for our parents. As someone who wants some feel in the car, this car handles better than any other compact family sedans in its class. Mazdas are cars that have a soul and are made for enjoying the driving aspect of owning the car. If you want something more exciting than your parent’s old Volvo, this car is the one to get.
2. Chevrolet Malibu
This is not your grandparent’s car. It is sleek, comfortable, and has a supple ride. The interior is quite satisfying with soft touch materials where it matters. The car starts around $21,680 and won US and World Report’s best midsize car for 2017. But, to get extra equipment that is usually standard on other vehicles, you must upgrade to the higher trim.
3. Honda Civic
This vehicle is the best one on the list. It has everything that one could hope for. It is sleek, has a hush cabin, excellent fuel economy, and impressive cargo compacity. It even comes as a hatchback with more space and versatility. Furthermore, it has a high-class cabin and excellent handling. The vehicle starts at $18,740.
4. Honda Fit
This car is also an excellent choice for people who frequent cities and must drive in congested areas. It handles like a go-kart, has excellent fuel economy, and has a ton of room inside. It's one of the safest cars on the road in its class but has some short comings: It has trouble suppressing road noise and audio controls are somewhat frustrating.
5. Toyota Camry
This car will run for thousands upon thousands of miles. It's extremely reliable and quite refined in terms of engine and ride quality. The car is quite comfortable, has adequate room for passengers of all sizes, and starts at about $23,070.
6. Nissan Rogue
Now, many people care about the size of the car. Personally, I am a fan of larger cars and the Fit doesn't satisfy those needs for me. This vehicle is quite large. It fits five people easily and rides like a premium up-class car. It comes with an upscale interior, available V6 engine, and good technology. It starts at $24,420.
7. Mazda CX-3
If you want the best car handling SUV for the money, this car is the one. It's the symbol of the mission that Mazda has set out to do. It is sleek, has a comfortable ride, is very upscale, and starts around $19,960. But I highly recommend upgrading to the "Touring Model". This model starts around $21,000 and has amenities such as keyless entry, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, leatherette seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and heated seats for an excellent price.
8. Subaru Forester
While this is not a sports SUV, it a very good value. This car is the cheapest car on the market for AWD capabilities. It is not the best designed interior but extremely functional. The exterior design allows for maximum cargo and passenger space. The car starts at $22,395.
9. Hyundai Tucson
This car proves that you can have upscale looking cars without spending an upscale price. The SE model, which has almost everything a pleasant daily driver can have. It has heated outside mirrors, 5-inch touchscreen, six speaker audio system, Bluetooth, USB ports, and rear view camera.
10. Honda HR-V
This car is a relatively new model to the Honda lineup. It is about $22,000 and is equipped generously. It includes push button start, larger 7-inch screen, heated front seats, and HondaLaneWatch (safety feature). Also, the vehicle contains a lot of cargo space. It has a large back seat (with the seat up almost 24.3 cubic feet) and can carry items up to 8 feet long.
