I’m sure you are interested in anything that could make that morning commute any easier or more economical. I asked Jody Victor to tell us about the best vehicles to do just that from and article by Evan Griffey of msn.com.
Jody Victor: Hey Joe, I don’thave to make that commute anymore but I certainly remember the frustrations. Here’s the first half of the article.
Chevrolet Volt – Price: $39,145 – The Volt is not a hybrid, but we understand why people think it is one. A conventional hybrid is a gasoline-powered machine that gets a boost from an electric motor to improve fuel economy. The Volt is an electric car with a gasoline assist. The gas-powered component isn’t part of the drivetrain at all, but rather acts as a generator, recharging the Volt’s batteries when necessary. The Volt can drive about 35 miles on an electric charge before the 83-horsepower gasoline engine kicks in. This configuration allows the Volt to roam as far as any other car on the road, something no other electric vehicle can claim. Plus, it is roomy and has all of the right amenities.
Fiat 500 - Price: $15,500 – The tiniest roller skate on our list, the Fiat 500, adds a little Italian flair to the morning drive. There are three regular trims — Pop, Sport and Lounge — two convertible offerings and two limited-edition 500s. The all-conquering turbocharged Abarth performance model will hit the scene in 2012. The 500 is only new to America; it has been a success overseas and won World Car Design of the Year honors in 2009. Nimble and chic, the 500 has all the attributes to please even the most image-conscious commuters. It gets 30 mpg city/38 mpg on the highway. Sure, it’s a little tight, but it offers plenty of style and comfort for a sole commuter.
Ford Fiesta SE - Price: $15,670 – The under-$14,000 Fiesta S is a miserly sedan that’s perfect for those who commute alone. But we chose the SE hatchback instead, because it is just as miserly — with a fuel-economy rating of 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway — and it better serves commuter and cargo needs. No matter which one you choose, however, you’ll own one of the best-connected rides on the road. Ford’s Sync system enables hands-free calling and texting when paired with your smartphone, and with Sync AppLink you can also access a nearly limitless amount of music via Pandora and other media outlets. And if you’re car pooling, you can use it as a wireless hub, so passengers can get a jump on the day while you chauffeur them to work.
Honda Odyssey - Price: $28,225 – The Honda Odyssey is not your typical go-to player in the commuter realm. It’s the people mover for larger car pools and can also serve as a family truckster for long-haul road trips. It’s pricey for a commuter, too, and the only V6 among these 4-cylinder fuel-sippers. But the van has plenty of space, and advantages such as seating for up to eight and an available rear-seat DVD system. And it’s efficient for its size: 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway.
Hyundai Veloster - Price: $17,300 – The Veloster is a new 2012 model. It looks more like a Honda CR-Z than a traditional hatchback. But we like the 2-door coupe’s style and the convenience of a stealthy third door that Hyundai added to ease rear-seat access. The Veloster is also well-equipped, featuring a lot of high-tech connectivity. However, we recommend anyone commuting with more than two people to test drive the rear seat of this vehicle carefully; the slope of the rear window may be a problem for passengers taller than 6 feet. Fuel efficiency is good, with a rating of 28 mpg city/40 mpg highway.
Thanks, Jody! More commuter vehicles next time.