10 Best Cars for Young Professionals

Young Professionals with Toyota Corolla ・ Photo by Toyota

Like it or not, your car says a lot about you. In the same way your home, your pet, your spouse, and your daily purchases signify what’s most important to you, your vehicle is a form of personal expression. While this may not impact some of the working population, young professionals are often judged by what they drive.

If money were no object, hardworking young adults would simply run to their nearest Mercedes-Benz dealer and pick up a new S-Class, but financial constraints are there for almost all of us. Instead, most ambitious 20-somethings end up choosing a handsome, reliable, and increasingly “connected” car that fits within their budgets. Fortunately, a number of new vehicles satisfy these criteria.

1) Chevrolet Cruze

Chevrolet’s second generation Cruze touts class-leading connectivity and upscale styling to fit the young professional lifestyle. With a standard 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, several in-car apps, and available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the new Cruze is made for tech-savvy buyers that must adhere to a budget.

In addition to having a long list of convenience features, the 2016 Cruze has lost 250 lb. in its transition from the first generation while borrowing design traits from the new Chevy Malibu. The automaker’s new 1.4-liter turbocharged Ecotec 4-cylinder is also standard on every trim, delivering 155 horsepower and returning 40 MPG on the highway. As such, the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is ideal for young professionals looking to purchase their first new car.

Photo by General Motors

2) Toyota Corolla

A reality we learn while growing up: We can’t always buy the most exciting gadgets on the market. Sometimes, practicality takes priority, and that’s why the 2016 Toyota Corolla is included in this Autobytel list of 10 best cars for young professionals. Fresh from a redesign, the new Corolla has just enough styling intrigue to look the part of a modern compact, but doesn’t communicate a sense of entitlement to potential employers.

A good mix of soft-touch materials and thoughtful designs can be found in the Corolla’s cabin, along with a user-friendly touchscreen interface. Don’t expect a Mazda3-esque performance driving experience out of the Corolla, but instead you can rely on 37 MPG on the highway and enduring comfort.

Photo by Toyota

3) Lexus CT200h

For a young professional who wants to dip their toes into the luxury segment without getting buried in debt, the Lexus CT200h is an excellent option. Stylish, practical, and refined, the CT200h is an expression of intelligence and ambition. Putting this luxury hatch on our roundup of 10 best cars for your professionals is a no-brainer.

Borrowing a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder and an electric motor from the Toyota Prius, the CT200h delivers 134 horsepower. Equipped exclusively with a CVT (continuously variable transmission), the luxurious 2016 Lexus CT200h gets 42 MPG in the EPA combined test, which means it's efficient but not quite up to the stellar fuel economy of the lighter Prius. Although rivals like the Audi A3 e-tron and BMW i3 out-performing the CT200h in a straight line, they do so at the cost of efficiency.

Photo by Lexus

4) Honda Civic

Honda’s Civic has held a vice-like grip on the 18–35 age group for years now, and its all-new 10th-generation model should maintain the trend for years to come. The 4-door sedan and 2-door coupe aren't just attractive, they're also a return to fun-to-drive form for the Japanese automaker. With an available 174-horsepower turbocharged engine and a smooth-shifting 6-speed manual transmision, the Honda Civic is a perfect fit for young professionals with personality.

Honda says buyers in this age range often settle on their next car purchase when spotting it on the road, before they ever test drive it. That’s probably why the 2016 Civic’s exterior styling is so dramatic. Inside, this new Honda can be optioned with the latest in safety and infotainment features to turn a compact commuter into a veritable entry-level luxury car. Apple Carplay, Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic braking assist…the list goes on. To top it all off, whichever engine you choose returns some of the best fuel economy figures in the class.

Photo by Honda

5) Volkswagen Golf

There’s something to be said for German refinement, and that’s what makes the VW Golf a great addition to our Autobytel list of 10 best cars for young professionals. Sure you could get a Kia Soul with similar features and utility, but choosing the Golf is like wearing a suit instead of a T-shirt. One says qualified, the other says amateur.

The seventh-generation Golf comes in several trims, but the standard car can be equipped with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission and uses a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine making 170 horsepower. Not only is the Golf more fun to drive than most other compact hatchbacks, this VW returns a remarkable 37 MPG in EPA combined testing, which helps reduce your number of visits to the gas station.

Photo by Volkswagen

6) Mazda CX-3

Although crossovers are still a relatively new trend, they have quickly become a modern station wagon of sorts, in some cases a substitute for a minivan. However, subcompact crossovers prioritize styling over strict utility, making them perfect for young professionals who don’t want to blend into the compact car segment. Among the entrants to the market, the 2016 Mazda CX-3 races to the front of the class with bold styling, superb ride quality, and swift handling.

While the base level CX-3 doesn’t offer much in the way of convenience features, higher trim levels boast large infotainment displays, advanced safety technology, and premium materials. Powering the CX-3 is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder making 146 horsepower and 146 lb.-ft. of torque. In a vehicle that weighs less than 2900 lb., that translates to plenty of pep.

Photo by Mazda

7) Jeep Renegade

Jeep’s Renegade is yet another stylish, fun subcompact crossover that looks mature enough for a working adult, but exciting enough to break up the mundane. Based on the FIAT 500X platform, the 2016 Jeep Renegade wraps off-road engineering within an affordable, clever package. The Renegade belongs on our list of 10 best cars for young professionals thanks to its available convenience features and utility.

The Renegade is the perfect introduction to the Jeep brand, at a price thousands less than the next most affordable model, the Cherokee. The entry-level Renegade uses a 4-cylinder engine with 160 horsepower, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Rated at only 24 MPG combined by the EPA, the boxy Renegade does not have a particularly aerodynamic shape. What you sacrifice in fuel efficiency, however, you make up for with a sub-$19K price tag.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

8) MINI Cooper Hardtop

As a maturing professional, you try to distinguish yourself from your peers. While your work will stand for itself, your car can also help set you apart. That’s what makes the MINI Cooper Hardtop a rightful addition to this Autobytel roundup of 10 best cars for young professionals. The Cooper Hardtop now comes in 2- and 4-door variants, giving buyers the option to treat friends and family to an extra set of doors and more legroom.

Whichever bodystyle you choose, the Cooper Hardtop is agile, peppy, and well engineered. A new 3-cylinder turbocharged powertrain serves up 134 horsepower, which is sent to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox. In addition to a perky powertrain, the Cooper can be equipped with lots of advanced safety and convenience features. Cool technology includes rain-sensing wipers and rev-match gear changes.

Photo by MINI

9) Mazda3

Need a break from the bland? The Mazda3 compact sedan and hatchback, though mainstream, have styling and driving dynamics that are anything but average. A lightweight chassis, handsome bodywork, and peppy powertrains give the Mazda3 an edge over both the Honda Civic and Chevrolet Cruze for young professionals who like getting to the office with a smile on their face.

Fantastic handling dynamics can be attributed to Mazda’s SkyActiv design philosophy, which does away with unnecessary weight in the name of performance. The standard 2.0-liter 4-cylinder produces 155 horsepower, but a 2.5-liter unit with 184 horsepower is also available for an extra sum. The Mazda3 starts at $17,845.

Photo by Mazda

10) Dodge Dart

The 2016 Dodge Dart isn’t the first vehicle that comes to mind when considering matches for young working adults. But with its refined styling, generous interior volume, and affordable price, this Dodge sedan is a great car for young professionals. The compact sedan market is a fierce battleground, and the Dart is a bit an underdog worth considering.

Spunky handling, outstanding optional UConnect infotainment system (with Apple Carplay and Android Auto), and an attractive interior layout are among the Dart’s best features. Because Fiat Chrysler plans to discontinue the Dart after this year, don't be suprised if great deals are to be had on this already affordable car.

Photo by FCA Media