The Best New Cars for College Graduates

After graduation you’ll need some new wheels to get to that all-important first job. But which new car is for you? Money Under 30 picks the top new cars for college graduates and young professionals under 30 based on affordability, reliability, and appeal.

2007 Scion tC
Avg. MSRP: $15,000 (Man.)

If you crave an affordable sports car, look no further than the 2007 Scion tC. Featuring mouth-watering standard equipment like 17-inch alloy wheels, a moonroof, and a super sound system, this coupe is one hot ride for just $15k. The tC also boasts the engineering quality of Scion parent company Toyota, so you know you can count on your tC. Got friends? Owners praise the tC’s spacious rear leg-room. For a small car, the Scion tC carries disappointing 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway EPA ratings. Fuel economy aside, the tC is a lovable marriage of fun and practicality.

2007 Hyundai Sonata
Avg. MSRP: $18,295 (Auto.)

Need to impress your coworkers? Drivers looking for a larger car won’t beat the 2007 Hyundai Sonata. Redesigned in 2006 and made even better in 2007, the new Sonata is proof that Hyundai is a worthy competitor in the American auto market. The Sonata provides a smooth, quiet, yet peppy ride and boasts a surprisingly spacious cabin. Need more proof? The Sonata raked in initial-quality awards from J. D. Power and boasts Hyundai’s impressive five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and ten-year/100,000-mile limited warranties.

2006 Toyota Tacoma
Avg. MSRP: $18,230 (2WD, Auto., Access Cab)