2016 Honda Accord
The 2016 Honda Accord, a five-passenger midsize sedan, delivers solid performance, scores well on safety tests, and, according to J.D. Power and Associates, offers above-average reliability. It’s tied for first place in U.S. News & World Reports’ midsize car rankings and was a finalist for our 2016 Best Midsize Car for Families award.
According to critics, the 2016 Accord is a very well-rounded midsize sedan. Its attributes make it a particularly attractive option for families. For this year, Honda has refreshed the Accord’s styling and added Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to the list of optional features, making it easier for students to stay connected. An 8-inch display, a multi-angle rearview camera, and Bluetooth wireless integration all come standard.
The Accord’s trunk is larger than average, and an optional 60/40 split rear bench increases the flexibility of the cargo area. Though the Honda Accord also comes as a coupe, the two-door body style and smaller trunk aren’t very practical for students.
2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
This all-new addition to the hybrid SUV market is already making an impact. Toyota finally modified the brand’s successful RAV4 compact SUV with an efficient hybrid drivetrain, and the result has already won U.S. News & World Report’s 2016 Best Hybrid SUV for the Money award.
This new, more efficient RAV4 is a good option for a wide range of consumers. The RAV4 Hybrid scores very well for both reliability and safety, so the basics are covered there. Critics tend to like the RAV4 Hybrid’s interior and say that all five passengers sit comfortably. Though the RAV4 Hybrid’s cargo area is a little smaller than the regular RAV4’s due to the space taken up by the hybrid battery pack, it’s still got one of the biggest cargo capacities in the class, which is perfect for college students. Critics say the driving dynamics are a little lackluster, but the RAV4 Hybrid prioritizes efficiency over performance and rewards buyers with good fuel economy, especially in the city.
2016 Honda Fit
According to U.S. News new car rankings, the 2016 Honda Fit is the No. 1 subcompact car and the No. 2 hatchback on the market. The Fit is also a great choice for back-to-school season.
In addition to the Fit’s high rankings, it was also the winner of our 2016 Best Subcompact Car for the Money and 2016 Best Hatchback for the Money awards. It has good reliability, according to J.D. Power and Associates, and a five-star overall rating for safety from NHTSA. The Fit is fun to drive, too, according to most critics; it balances a modestly powered engine, skillful handling, and very competitive fuel economy to provide a well-rounded package.
It’s the Fit’s interior that truly stands out for students, though. While the cabin isn’t particularly upscale, critics say the quality is good, with five reasonably comfortable seating positions. And, thanks to its innovative Magic Seat system, the 2016 Honda Fit has one of the largest and most flexible cargo areas in the subcompact class.
2017 Hyundai Elantra GT
For 2017, Hyundai has completely redesigned the affordable Elantra lineup. This model is one of a couple of compacts on our list that’s available in sedan and hatchback body styles. As is typical of such models, the hatchback’s base price is set at a slight premium over the sedan’s.
Fortunately, the hatchback (known as the Elantra GT) is still priced reasonably. It’s the better Elantra option for back-to-school season. Its four-cylinder engine puts out a bit more horsepower than the sedan’s, and its fuel economy is competitive with other models in its class. Some critics say its power is a little dull, while others think that it has acceptable acceleration.
The Elantra and Elantra GT both seat five passengers, though the GT’s extra cargo space is what makes it a better choice for students. The cargo hold is competitive on its own and more than doubles when the rear seats are folded down. Up front, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra GT offers easy-to-use and very inexpensive optional tech features, such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Both versions of the Elantra score very well on safety tests.
2016 Mazda CX-5
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 was a finalist for our 2016 Best Compact SUV for the Money award and currently sits in a three-way tie for the No. 3 spot in our compact SUV rankings. In short, Mazda’s refreshed CX-5 is a good option for anyone who’s heading back to school.
This safe and fun-to-drive compact SUV is a favorite among critics thanks to its adequate engine power, sporty handling, and easygoing nature. In addition to its outgoing personality, this Mazda also has a practical side. Though critics say the base engine is underpowered, it does get very good fuel economy, which is great for students and teachers with a long commute to class. Both rows have good space for adults, although if you try to squeeze three full-size passengers in back, it might be a little cramped.
Cargo space is good for the class, too. Although the Mazda CX-5 isn’t loaded with standard tech features, there are a few, and critics note that they are very easy to use. If the 2016 Mazda CX-5 has a weak spot, though, it’s reliability – according to J.D. Power, this SUV’s dependability scores are just average.
2016 Chevrolet Sonic
Even students on a tight budget deserve to have a safe and reliable car to call their own. Anyone looking at the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic’s affordable entry-level price might assume there’d be some compromises, but it’s not on either of those key criteria.
The 2016 Chevrolet Sonic occupies the No. 2 spot in our subcompact car rankings, right after the aforementioned Honda Fit, so there should be no surprise these cars have a similar formula for success. The Sonic offers above-average dependability, according to J.D. Power and Associates, and does well in crash tests, earning a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS and a five-star overall score from NHTSA.
Its base model is a sedan, though we prefer the slightly more expensive hatchback for its larger cargo area. The Chevy Sonic also comes standard with GM’s OnStar system, which boasts a mobile Wi-Fi hot spot to keep you connected on the go.
2016 Nissan Murano
The 2016 Nissan Murano is No. 1 in U.S. News & World Report’s midsize SUV rankings, as well as a winner of two awards, the 2016 Best 2-Row SUV for the Money and 2016 Best 2-Row SUV for Families. The Murano is also an excellent back-to-school option.
The safe and reliable 2016 Murano is a little on the expensive side for a student on a budget, but, as our awards attest, the value is there. Nissan includes a rearview camera and an infotainment system with a 7-inch monitor in the base model, and its 260-horsepower V6 engine, which is the only engine available, provides decent fuel economy and solid acceleration. The Murano handles well, though it’s not as sporty as some other models in the class. Capable of seating five passengers in its upscale confines and stuffing in an above-average amount of cargo, the Murano is a smart choice, whether you’re heading home for the holidays or playing designated driver for the evening.
2016 Kia Optima
Kia has completely redesigned the Optima for this model year, yet this affordable midsize sedan still provides a strong value along with its new styling, features, and options. With good reliability ratings and an excellent safety score, the 2016 Kia Optima makes our back-to-school shortlist.
Three engines are available in the 2016 Kia Optima, enabling buyers to balance budget and performance according to their needs. The base engine provides average fuel economy, while the two optional engines provide competitive performance, according to critics.
It’s the Optima’s cabin that really shines, though. There’s spacious seating for five passengers, with plenty of leg room in the backseat. The Optima offers a lot of optional tech equipment, such as an 8-inch touch screen, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, and reviewers say these features are easy to navigate and use. The Optima’s trunk is also larger than some buyers might expect, which is great for students on the go, and a cooling glove box comes standard, so there’s a place to store snacks while on the road.
2016 Subaru Outback
Students and teachers who are going for a more rugged and outdoorsy aesthetic might consider the 2016 Subaru Outback as an alternative to the usual SUVs and hatchbacks. And it’s not just the Outback’s looks that convey an adventurous personality; this wagon’s performance backs it up.
The 2016 Subaru Outback has an upscale interior that comfortably seats five passengers, along with one of the most spacious cargo areas in the class. Buyers have the choice of two engines: the 175-horsepower four-cylinder base engine, which provides competitive gas mileage for a wagon, and the available 256-horsepower V6, which provides strong acceleration.
The Outback, like all Subarus, comes standard with all-wheel drive, which improves its all-weather capabilities. The Outback also comes with an integrated roof rack, which is perfect for boosting cargo capacity at moving time or carrying around your sports equipment on the weekends. Great safety ratings are par for the course with the Outback, and a rearview camera is included on even the base model.
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Study This List of Great Automotive Choices
Whether you’re a student, teacher, or parent, the new school year is sure to bring challenges. If it’s time to start shopping for a new vehicle, you might as well find one that’ll make life a little easier. The latest crop of vehicles offers good safety ratings, impressive cargo storage, and convenient technology options that help everyone’s commute go more smoothly. While hatchbacks and SUVs might be the preferred modes of transit, there are a couple other options, too. Read on to find out about some of the best cars for this back-to-school season.