Total Car Score Identifies Top Ten Best Cars for College Graduates

Three 2012 Volkswagen compacts make the top ten list for college grads - Strong showing from Ford Focus and Chevy Cruze

LOS ANGELES--May 10, 2012: Total Car Score (totalcarscore . com), the most comprehensive automotive ranking and comparison website, has issued its list of the Top Ten Cars for College Graduates. Total Car Score released the list in time for graduation season, as new college grads and their parents look to make a smart choice on an 'adult' car. Safety, fuel efficiency, comfort and performance are all criteria used in finding the best car for the money, in what is usually the graduate's first new car purchase.

"College grads are looking to make an investment in a car that is reliable and cost-conscious," said Karl Brauer, editor-in-chief of Total Car Score. "We compiled a list of the top-rated cars that offer the best quality while being very affordable."

New Car Ratings in the Compact Car Segment

Total Car Score provides a comprehensive auto rating system that lets car buyers and enthusiasts alike quickly and easily compare models from all automotive segments. The "Total Car Score" assigned to a vehicle is an overall industry assessment that combines quantitative car reviews from all the major automotive authorities.

Brauer added "In today's extremely competitive new-car market automakers are providing higher-quality cars at lower prices. These models offer more technology and convenience features than ever before in the compact car segment."

Volkswagen has proven its mettle across several automotive segments in the last couple of years, and small cars are no exception. Additionally, Brauer noted the all-new 2012 Ford Focus in particular has shown a major improvement in the ratings and reviews it has received since introduction. Also notable is the presence of two Mazdas on the list, including the updated Mazda 3 with advanced "SKYACTIV" engine technology to improve fuel efficiency.

All of the vehicles in Total Car Score's list have a manufacturer's suggested retail price that starts under $25,000, with seven of the 10 starting under $17,000. The list is as follows:

The 2012 Top Ten Cars for New College Graduates

About Total Car Score

Total Car Score is an automotive research and comparison website that establishes a new industry-wide standard for ranking every car, truck, van and crossover on the market. TotalCarScore.com evaluates and ranks cars according to an aggregate score based on the most trusted automotive authorities available. The site also features original content, reviews and insights from a veteran automotive journalism and data team. For more information, please go to Total Car Score.