For the first time since 2020, most college graduation ceremonies were almost normal in 2024. Now, it’s time to put college in your rear window (unless you’re continuing to grad school). Maybe it’s time for a new rear window – in a new car!
While you studied for your finals, Autotrader.com has studied the automotive landscape, thinking about what makes the best car for a recent college graduate. The three criteria for the list.
- Candidates must have a starting price under $30,000, including a destination charge
- NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating
- At least one cool feature
According to the analysts at Cox Automotive (Autotrader’s parent company), the average price of a new car in the United States hovers above $47,000. Recent college graduates don’t need to spend that much to get a good car, maybe their first new car. There are some superb choices that start under 30 grand.
Once you study this list, you might decide to seek a used car instead of a new one. Consider a certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle if you go in the used direction.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) collects crash-test data for new cars and publishes its rankings for public consumption. Their top safety rating is “5-Star.”
Autotrader: “10 Best Cars for Recent College Graduates”
If you have questions, please feel free to contact Gayle Anderson at 323-460-5732, email Gayle at Gayle.Anderson@KTLA.com, Facebook: Gayle Anderson, Instagram: KTLAChannel5Gayle and Twitter: KTLA5Gayle.
This aired on KTLA 5 News on July 24, 2024.