Every spring, a new group of college graduates set off on of their next adventures. Often, a new vehicle is part of that plan. While the graduates studied for their finals, the experts at Cox Automotive brand Autotrader studied the automotive landscape to determine the Best Cars for Recent College Graduates 2024.

“As the class of 2024 puts college in their rearview mirror, many will seek a new vehicle as they drive toward their next chapter,” said  Autotrader Executive Editor Brian Moody. “The most recent data from Cox Automotive reveals the average price for a new car in the United States hovers above $47,000, but we want recent grads to know they don’t necessarily need to spend that much to get a great new car. And, if the grad is particularly savvy, they should research buying a used version of one of the cars on the list. If that’s the case, we suggest considering a certified pre-owned model.” 

All of the featured 2024 model vehicles make the grade when it comes to the Autotrader editors’ three primary criteria for the list. First, candidates must have a starting price under $30,000, including destination charge. Next, they must have a 5-Star Overall Safety Rating from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. And each car must have at least one cool feature that stands out to the editors. The cool thing may be functional, or it might be part of the design, or it might be unexpected, but it is a feature that grads will appreciate.