Best Commuter Cars: When Fuel Mileage and Function Just Aren't Enough

First thing in the morning, you drag your unshaven face into the driver’s seat and creep through traffic toward the office. When you punch out at the end of your shift, you haul your sorry self back into your car and drive home on autopilot, fueled by caffeine. You need some excitement in your drive, a car that will make you pay attention and keep your eyes open. You need one of the best commuter cars of 2017 to liven up your workday.For some, it has nothing to do with excitement on the commute. It only has to do with functionality and fuel efficiency. So we have something for you too. But for those of us who need to feel our pulse pound every so often, there’s plenty of commuter cars for you to choose from.2017 Tesla Model SIt’s unfair to compare the Tesla Model S to anything, really. It’s a gorgeous sedan that is driver-focused, making it the best commuter car at the moment. True, it has a thrilling 691-horsepower electric motor available, and that’s fun for the commute. The massive center stack has an entertainment screen with navigation as large as a fold-out map and can perform virtually any smartphone features you can think of.As a full-electric car, the Model S has a range of up to 225 miles per charge, depending on the setup you choose. Its price starts at a paltry $70,000 for the 70 kWh battery, rear-wheel drive model and goes up from there. You’ll never need to stop for gas, though. Next year, you can expect the Tesla Model 3 to bump the Model S from the list of best commuter cars.2017 Ford C-MaxIt’s like a Ford Focus, but better. The 2017 Ford C-Max comes in two variants – the C-Max Hybrid and the C-Max Energi. The Energi can run on straight electric power for around 18 miles before the gas engine kicks in to assist. Both have regenerative braking to put power back in the battery. And there are some cool features like SYNC 3, a hands-free power liftgate, and SmartGauge with EcoGuide (you have to see it).The real deal about the C-Max is in its fuel efficiency. The Hybrid models are rated at 38 mpg highway and 42 mpg city, while the Energi achieves an EPA rating equivalent of 104 mpg city and 87 mpg highway. You can get into the C-Max Hybrid for around $24,000 and about $30k for the C-Max Energi.2017 Chevrolet VoltIt’s been around for a handful of years already, and it continues to be one of the best hybrid models you can purchase. The 2017 Chevrolet Volt offers 53 miles of pure electric driving charge and a combined 420 miles of gas and electric travel. And Chevy says the Volt will go up to 1,000 miles or more with regular charging before you need to go to the gas station.The latest Volt model has great looks, even for a traditional sedan, and is actually enjoyable to drive. With advanced phone integration, an intuitive MyLink infotainment system and a luxurious leather interior available, the Volt is a great choice at around $34,000 before federal discounts. Be sure to check out the Chevrolet Bolt too.2017 MINI ConvertibleIf you have to enjoy the ride, a convertible is always a good choice. The 2017 MINI Convertible, specifically, is an awesome commuter choice. It has three options for the soft top – fully open, fully closed, and open like a targa top or sunroof. If you leave the top down while you’re in the office, you can use the Rain Warner app to tell you when you should close the roof to avoid a mobile swimming pool.Engine options range from 134 horsepower up to 228 horsepwer in the John Cooper Works Convertible. Sexy iconic looks, a comfortable, sporty ride, and a soft top comes up to a solid choice. Prices start at $26,700.2017 Lexus ES 350A commute isn’t always about fuel mileage first, although the Lexus ES 350 does well there too. With Lexus, it’s about driving in style. Dual sunroofs, two-row comfort, a long wheelbase with nimble handling, and stunning aggressive looks make the EX 350 a dream choice.It helps that the 2017 Lexus ES 350 has 268 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. It can be yours for just under $39,000, or you can opt for the hybrid model for a few grand more.2017 Nissan LEAFSo, you value efficiency over performance and style? The Nissan LEAF is for you. The looks are somewhat polarizing (meaning people may hate how it looks) and it’s not a high-performance model at all. What it does well is get you from home to work and back again without using a drop of gas, so tree-huggers will love you.The 2017 Nissan LEAF has a 30-kWh battery and an 80 kW electric motor, good for 107 miles of continuous driving on electricity. That’s sufficient for most commuters. For the $31,000 investment, you’ll get Nissan Intelligent Key, Bluetooth, heated seats and the knowledge that you aren’t creating greenhouse gasses. You just might not be making any "normal" friends. A redesigned 2018 Nissan Leaf will be unveiled later this year, with an innovative e-Pedal one-pedal driving system.2017 BMW i3You want sustainable and compact with a healthy dose of classiness? The 2017 BMW i3 is a nice way to go. Its interior is sufficiently equipped so you’re not lacking in comfort – olive leaf-tanned leather on the seats, carbon fiber reinforced plastic, and BMW’s iDrive controller are in the i3.The i3 isn’t a race car, but it can handle its charge well. It can travel 114 miles on a full charge, or 180 miles with the range extender. You’ll find it’s surprisingly responsive in handling and acceleration, partially due to its size and partially because it’s a BMW. This little Bimmer bubble goes for $42,700 before the incentives are taken off.2017 Mazda 3Mazda’s looks have dramatically improved in the past few years, including on the Mazda3. That’s great, because it was already one of the best commuter cars otherwise. Its 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G four-cylinder makes just 155 horsepower, but that’s perfect for a combination city and highway commuter car. And its fuel efficiency is decent at a combined 31 mpg with a manual transmission and 32 mpg with an auto.Comfy sport seats, Active Driving Display, Bose 9-speaker sound system and a seamlessly integrated smartphone make the drive even better. All Mazda3 variants – the Mazda3 Sport, Mazda3 Touring and Mazda3 Grand Touring – are based on Mazda’s KODO platform, inspired by a natural flow. It all starts out at under $18,000.2017 Toyota PriusIt’s not just for taxis. The 2017 Toyota Prius is one of the best commuter cars. Known for a reliable hybrid powertrain and great range on electric and gas power, the Prius will make the best commuter car list every time. It might not be the best-looking hybrid around – it’s definitely not – but it’s reliable and has a proven history.The 1.8-liter VVT-i engine with 95 horsepower pairs with a 71-horsepower electric motor. As you’d expect from a Prius, 54 mpg city and 50 mpg highway are the EPA ratings. The typical power accessories are inside, but its' a rock-solid commuter car. Or you can look at the Prius Prime with up to 133 MPGe.2017 Honda AccordLook around your parking lot at work – you’re almost guaranteed to see an Accord. The 2017 Honda Accord is a stalwart among commuters for its reliability, comfortable seating and ride, and decent fuel efficiency. It’s been a best-selling car for more than two decades in North America, and not just among commuters.You can enjoy the cockpit with heated leather seats, push button start and a wireless phone charging dock. Or you can just enjoy decent fuel efficiency – 32 mpg highway, 23 mpg city - in a stylish and comfortable sedan starting at under $25,000. The 10th generation 2018 Honda Accord gets a refreshed look.2017 Hyundai ElantraSave some coin and go with a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. Known best for their great value, the Hyundai Elantra has up to 201 horsepower. That’s a whole lotta unexpected fun for a car this size. You’ll get all the mandatory commuter equipment – A/C, power windows and locks, Bluetooth. You can upgrade to include navigation and leather seating if you want.But if you’re serious about a commuter car, look at the Elantra ECO. It gets up to 40 mpg highway from a 128-horsepower 4-cylinder, and it starts at just $20,650. It’s not going to be as luxurious as the Lexus ES nor as efficient as the Prius, but it will certainly prove its bang-for-the-buck.2017 Acura ILXYou like style, power, handling and value all in one package? It sounds like you want the 2017 Acura ILX. This sports sedan is an awesome well-rounded choice in the best commuter car category, even if you aren’t looking at the A-SPEC package. Every ILX comes with 201 horsepower from a 2.4-liter direct-injected 4-cylinder and it’s matched with an 8-speed dual clutch transmission for 29 mpg combined. Put that on top of a sport-tuned suspension for nimble handling and you’re off to a great start.The looks are killer with the right combination of sharp lines, rounded corners and piercing LED lights. And inside, where it counts for the long commute, leather seats, push button ignition, rear-view camera and available adaptive cruise control are a nice touch. The 2017 Acura ILX starts out at $28,000 and goes up, depending on the equipment.2017 Subaru LegacyWhile Subaru might not immediately come to mind for best commuter cars, each model is a good choice for drivers that want a safe ride. Every Subaru Legacy comes standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All Wheel Drive system for the ultimate in control in all commuting conditions. You might love the Legacy’s looks, or you might find it drab, but that’s not what really matters to most commuters.It’s the fuel mileage – particularly the highway mileage - and comfort that will draw buyers into the Subaru Legacy. On the highway, it’s capable of up to 34 mpg in EPA-rated duel efficiency. In the city, that drops to just 25 mpg. On the inside, the Legacy is well-equipped with typical power options, auto headlights, paddle shifters and STARLINK Multimedia audio systems. The seats are comfy for the long haul too. Pricing for the 2017 Subaru Legacy kicks off at $22,000.2017 Volkswagen PassatInsert diesel joke here… the 2017 VW Passat is a gas-powered car, so we can move past it. The 170-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder offers enough pep to make the Passat fun to drive and maintains decent highway fuel mileage at 34 mpg. It’s more business class than family vehicle, but that could suit many commuter car buyers. You’ll get a Fender sound system, Blind Spot Monitor, rearview camera, Lane Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control if you opt for the upper echelon of trim levels.If you feel like jazzing things up a bit more, you can go for a more powerful engine option – the 3.6-liter V6 with 280 horsepower. It creeps up close to $30,000 instead of the entry-level $22,440. It also suffers on fuel efficiency, achieving just 28 mpg highway and 20 mpg city. Maybe not the best choice for best commuter cars.2017 Kia OptimaIts sibling is the Hyundai Sonata, and it could also be counted on this list of the best commuter cars of 2017. It’s one of the best cars for tall drivers with plenty of base-level features and high-end optional equipment that includes navigation, power moonroof, a heated steering wheel, optional rear sunshades, and a bold Harmon Kardon QuantumLogic Surround Sound audio system with 630 watts of power.All those comforts make the ride more enjoyable. But even without them, it would be a fairly decent experience. The 2017 Kia Optima has a standard-equipment 185-horsepower engine and an optional 245-horsepower V6 for the thrillseekers. But for commuters, an available 1.6-liter turbocharged engine is a sound choice for one of the best commuter cars. Its fuel efficiency tops out at 28 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. And that Kia, the Optima LX 1.6T, starts at $24,140.

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