As women, it’s a safe bet to say that most of us like to shop. And we’re so good at it! We load apps onto our phones, do hours of online research, enjoy the hunt for that one amazing item and feel like a total boss when we score a deal — as we should!
But there’s one type of shopping that I’ve rarely hear my female friends discuss with relish or excitement, and that’s car shopping. It’s understandable. There are so many brands and types! What the heck is torque, anyway? Do I have to deal with a pushy salesman? Can’t I just order this thing online and be done with it?
Here’s the good news. If you’re a car-buying newbie, you’ll be amazed at how many awesome new features are now standard issue on cars. And yes, while you may have to pay a visit to a dealership, the internet will arm you with all the knowledge you need, from vehicle details to how much you can expect to pay and what your financing options are.
After doing your online research to get an idea of what you want — try VroomGirls.com, a great automotive site for women — your next move is to do some test drives, which are your single-best indicator of how a car is going to work for you. Don’t let yourself be rushed through a test drive. Drive on side streets, in reverse and on the freeway. Hit the brakes hard to see how quickly you’ll stop. Sit in the backseat and check out a vehicle’s roominess and comfort.
If you have a carseat or need to transport oversized objects like skis, it’s wise to bring them to the dealership to see if they’ll fit in the vehicle you’re considering. To get the most out of your test drives, we recommend printing out a checklist to bring to each dealership — VroomGirls.com has a complete checklist for how to do a proper new-vehicle test drive.
Now that you’re feeling excited and empowered about buying or leasing some new wheels, where should you start? We’ve put together a few of our favorite 2017 vehicles for personality type and practical need. Whether you’re a first-time car buyer or a supermom, we have a new ride here you’re sure to love. And guess what? When you’re armed with knowledge, car buying is actually pretty fun.
For the young professional
2017 Ford FocusFrom $17,000
This sedan is ideal for the practical gal who just got her first great job and is ready to buy her first adult car (this one’s cute too!).
Although the official unveiling of the new model will be in the summer of 2017, we do know that the 2018 model will be available as a sedan or hatchback with styling tweaks to modernize the exterior. Even the base model includes nice features like dual-zone temp control, an eco-guide gauge to help you save gas, an enhanced voice-recognition system and Bluetooth connectivity in the dash’s color display.
For the deal-seeker
2017 Mazda 6From $22,000
This car is practical, fun and well-priced for the woman who wants her vehicle to stretch every dollar. Mazdas are well-known for lasting forever.
This model is totally redesigned for 2018 and looks way more stylish than many sedans that cost thousands more. It features all LED lights, which ensure greater visibility and driving safety. The interior is quite roomy, which makes it a great car for small families and couples. New high-tech safety technology uses radar and cameras to help drivers avoid collisions.
It has a large-screen touch display system, which improves both navigation and entertainment possibilities. It’s also lighter than many cars in this category, which gives it better gas mileage.
“I have a long commute, so the interior of my car is especially important to me,” says Krista, 42, of Oceanside, CA. “I needed something that could help me feel relaxed and refreshed after a long drive. My car has this gorgeous parchment-colored leather interior. The combination with the navy blue exterior of the car is stunning. To get this level of comfort and luxury in a BMW or Mercedes would have been a lot more expensive. The Mazda 6 is perfect for getting a luxury feel at a reasonable price.”
For the millennial city girl
2018 Toyota CHRFrom $23,000
Want a vehicle that fits easily into any parking space, has loads of cargo room for shopping adventures and drives incredibly well? The CHR is for you.
Adorable and compact with a fresh and modern design, it’s also loaded with the latest safety features. A great millennial-mobile.
For the eco-friendly gal
2017 Toyota PriusFrom $23,000
“Eco” nods to both the environment and your wallet. Do no harm to the Earth and save tons at the pump with more than 50 mpg.
The Prius is still the go-to car when you think of a hybrid. It’s the standard by which all others are judged — and it has spawned the most YouTube videos.
For the fashionista
2017 Mercedes-Benz CLAFrom $32,000
This stunner says you’ve arrived. Sassy and full of style, this sedan is impressive and comfortable for driving clients and still has room for a car seat. With great performance, snob appeal and German engineering, it goes great with your Gucci bag and Louboutins.
“For me, a Mercedes has always been the hashtag-goals car,” says Quinn, 44, of Atlanta, Georgia. “I’m a Benz kind of girl. I just always assumed they were all in, like, way above the $50,000-plus category. When I saw that I could lease one for about the same price as a maxed-out SUV, I said, ‘Sign me up!'”
For the early adopter
2017 Model 3 TeslaFrom $35,000
For the woman who must have all the latest gadgets, this car is like driving a big iPhone — it can even park itself! (Yup.) You can control pretty much everything in a Tesla from your phone. It automatically downloads regular software updates to fix itself just like your computer does.
For the soon-to-be empty-nester
2017 Audi TT CoupeFrom $44,000
Cute, rambunctious, tech-forward, this two-seater is for the woman who wants to drive fast, turn heads and be noticed. With a gorgeous design and super-modern interior, it’s ideal for the successful woman whose kids are grown-up enough that she never has to worry about car seats again!
“I have four kids, so I’ve had to drive big family SUVs forever,” says Karen, 51, of Los Angeles, California. “When my youngest son was finally tall enough to not need a car seat, I was able to get a car that I actually wanted to drive. She’s so svelte and cute! I named her Sabrina. And I can park anywhere I want.”
For the fun-loving new mom
2017 Buick EncoreFrom $23,000
The Buick Encore delivers serious luxury for a sweet price. It features everything a busy working woman and mama needs: a sleek look, superior safety, ultra-comfy (and spacious!) interiors and all the hands-free tech to make your life even easier.
Want to throw on a playlist or podcast for your commute or to keep the kids entertained? No problem. Buick’s helpful driver information center and eight-inch color touch screen makes it easy to play anything at a moment’s notice, hands-free and using your voice. There’s even a built-in 4G Wi-Fi hotspot for streaming.
Whether you live in the city or suburbs, the Encore is easy to maneuver — it’s compact while still feeling roomy inside. Not only will you have fun driving this compact SUV, but it’s also super-safe for you and your loved ones, offering all-wheel drive and a five-star safety rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For the outdoorsy type
2018 VW Atlas 6574From $32,000
For the price, this is one of the best new SUVs out there. Though the Atlas is classified as a midsize SUV, it’s really big, with seating for seven — so you can fit all your kids (or a large squad).
But its ride quality is comparable to a much smaller vehicle. We loved its handling and easy ride though our drive on twisty mountain roads.
Also, it’s super-roomy and can actually fit adults in the third row. It also has that great German styling: simple, modern and elegant.
For the luxury lover
2017 Lexus RX 350From $44,000
The Lexus RX continues to be the reigning crossover (small SUV) queen and has been for nearly two decades. It’s super-luxe for when comfort is priority No. 1.
Think of it as the cashmere sweater and 800-thread-count sheets of the driving world. Bonus: It’s as quiet as a bank vault.
“I’ve had the RX for 15 years now,” says Julie, 43, of San Diego, CA. “For me, the comfort and smoothness of the drive are unparalleled! I’ve test driven all the cars in this category and am yet to find something that I like better.”
For the high-tech supermom
2018 Volvo XC90From $46,000
This car features the most technically advanced safety features available. It will automatically slam on the brakes if you’re about to turn in front of an oncoming car, tightens the seatbelts and prepares the airbags for impact if you’re about to be hit from behind and can spot cyclists and pedestrians at night.
It’s even able to automatically stop, go and gently turn the steering wheel without any input from the driver.
“This is my second XC90. We have serious winters up here in Maine, and I’ve never had a problem in ice or snow in this truck,” says Kirsten, 65, of Portland, Maine. “It’s big, but the drive is really smooth and it handles well. It feels more like a car than a big truck. Plus, I have two big golden retrievers, and they have plenty of room in the back.”
For the constant carpooler
2018 Honda OdysseyNo price yet (2017 model from $32,000)
This vehicle is for the woman who’s always driving carpool and for the family that expects their wheels to tick off all the boxes: style, comfort, utility, reliability, luxury.
Honda does minivans better than anyone and always has. The Odyssey gets a makeover for the 2018 model year and will be available this fall.
“A mom with toddlers must have designed this car,” says Rayna, 38, of San Diego, California. “It has a vacuum cleaner built right into the back! Maybe my kids won’t have as many Cheetos stuck to their butts when they get out. Seriously, all cars should come with one of these.”
For the urban cowgirl
2017 Chevrolet SilveradoFrom $28,000
Because sometimes, a girl just needs an honest-to-goodness truck, not an SUV! If you grew up in the South, chances are good your family had one of these, and like me, you learned to drive in one. And who doesn’t love a good tailgate party? But be prepared to get a lot of those “can you help me move?” phone calls.
“I’m kind of short, so I love driving a real truck!” says Claire, 26, of San Antonio, Texas. “I can see over everyone and everything in the road. Plus, nobody messes with me in a truck. And if I have time to kill in between classes, I lay out in the truck bed and work on my tan.” Just use plenty of SPF!
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