Recent and soon-to-be college grads have the world in front of them. Each one is eager to pursue their passion and succeed in the 'real world'. While many choose to go car-less, others will need a vehicle for their commute to the new job or to visit family (if they didn’t move into their parents’ basement after college). Sometimes these young adults get lumped into one group such as "Gen Z", but they will be the first to tell you they are all individuals. That’s why we compiled a list of the six best 2019 vehicles to suit the unique characteristics and interests of our future leaders.
1. 2019 Honda Insight
image: Honda
Best For the Techy
The 2019 Honda Insight is packed with technology to impress the computer programming majors. It comes with the full Honda Sensing Suite of safety tech and driver assist including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, emergency braking, and road departure mitigation. The 2019 Insight even has traffic sign recognition and driver drowsiness monitoring for the times when the hackathon drags into the wee hours of the morning. Higher trims offer an 8-inch infotainment touch screen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. With a powerful hybrid powertrain, the 2019 Insight offers 151 horsepower which outshines the competition. Another perk is the competitive fuel efficiency, offering an EPA rating of 55/49 mpg city/highway. This leaves more cash for all the new gadgets the techy has on his or her list.
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2. 2019 Nissan Versa
image: Nissan
Best For the Student Loan Hoarder
Student loans are a fact of life for most college grads but they can significantly impact the ability to purchase a new vehicle. When going without a car is not an option, the 2019 Nissan Versa comes to the rescue as the most affordable car in America. At $12,460 starting MSRP, the Versa offers a lot of bang for relatively little buck. It provides a comfortable ride, a shockingly spacious backseat for its size and good fuel economy (31/39 city/highway) so that paying for gas doesn't become an additional burden. All this on top of solid reliability rankings makes it an A+ choice.
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3. 2019 Genesis G70
Best For the Future Lawyer
Grads heading off to law school or to their first internships out of law school will have to impress their future bosses and clients. Okay, so it's a bit pricey for the new grad, but maybe the folks can help with the down payment since you did so well in school. The 2019 Genesis G70 is certainly a great image car. It is an entry-level luxury sports sedan that offers excellent styling without being too flashy for a young driver. Perhaps the only thing that can outshine the sleek exterior is what's under the hood. The optional 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 offers 365 horsepower and a 0-60 of 4.7 seconds, plus a max speed of 167 mph. This group knows how to talk their way out of a speeding ticket.
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4. 2019 Hyundai Veloster
Best For the Hipster
You'll never hear a hipster admit they fall into this group but you'll know it when they tell you they liked the Hyundai Veloster before it was cool. The 2019 Hyundai Veloster has a far from conventional exterior which the hip kids will appreciate. It also doesn't hurt that the Veloster gets some major upgrades for 2019. These include an all-new cabin with comfortable seats and intuitive infotainment so the new grad can easily find their favorite tunes - something no one has heard of yet. Uniqueness is not the only thing that sets this vehicle apart. A 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder makes a healthy 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.
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5. 2019 Jeep Wrangler
Best For the Outdoorsy
For the grads who want to see the entire world in front of them (literally), nothing beats the 2019 Jeep Wrangler. This offroad go-to has been redesigned to be even better to drive on-pavement, but it hasn't lost any of its ruggedness in the process. After some big upgrades in 2018, the Jeep Wrangler now offers better cabin materials, comfortable seats, and a smooth ride. For the most off-road capable Wrangler, go with the Rubicon but the Sport and Sahara trims won't disappoint. After returning from being "off the grid," young Jeep Wrangler owners will enjoy tech features such as the intuitive touchscreen navigation with an optional 8.4-inch Uconnect system plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
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6. 2019 Hyundai IONIQ
image: Hyundai
Best For the Tree Hugger
You thought we'd pick the Prius, didn't you? Despite the iconic Toyota's reputation as the eco-friendly car, there are alternatives that are even more fuel efficient to satisfy the college grads who want to save the planet. The 2019 Hyundai IONIQ is a good example. This vehicle comes in your choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric. The affordably priced IONIQ Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient car in America with up to 58 combined mpg. For 2019, the Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid gets new standard safety features like driver attention alert and high beam safety assist. The 1.6 liter 4-cylinder engine offers up a respectable 139 horsepower and quick acceleration to get the driver to their Earth Day volunteer event on time.
