Imports Head of Class on Top Cars for College Grads List

Imports Head of Class on Top Cars for College Grads List

May 21, 2012 | LOS ANGELES
By Auto Remarketing Staff

Automotive ranking and comparison website Total Car Score has issued its list of the Top Ten Cars for College Graduates, based on safety, fuel efficiency, comfort, performance and cost.

At the head of the class are three Volkswagen models, two Mazda models and representatives from five additional automakers.

“College grads are looking to make an investment in a car that is reliable and cost-conscious,” said Karl Brauer, editor-in-chief of Total Car Score. “We compiled a list of the top-rated cars that offer the best quality while being very affordable.”

The Total Car Score assigned to a vehicle is an overall industry assessment that combines quantitative car reviews from various major automotive authorities, including the Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the company reported.

Volkswagen had the most models on the list, with the Golf ranked in the No. 1 spot, the GTI coming in second and the Jetta in ninth.

Brauer noted the 2012 Ford Focus, ranked third on the list, has shown a major improvement in the ratings and reviews received since its introduction.

Also notable is the presence of two Mazdas on the list, he said, including the updated Mazda 3 with SKYACTIV engine technology to improve fuel efficiency, and the Mazdaspeed 3.

Overall, the Total Car Score Top Ten for New College Graduates are:

• Volkswagen Golf
• Volkswagen GTI
• Ford Focus
• Mazda 3
• Chevy Cruze
• Mazda Mazdaspeed 3
• Hyundai Elantra
• Scion xB
• Volkswagen Jetta
• Kia Forte

All of the vehicles in Total Car Score’s list have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price that starts under $25,000, with seven of the 10 starting under $17,000, the company reported.

“In today’s extremely competitive new-car market, automakers are providing higher-quality cars at lower prices,” Braun said. “These models offer more technology and convenience features than ever before in the compact car segment.”