Top 10 Best Cars for Commuters

According to a recent national study the American drivers hung out in traffic for a total of 4.2 billion hours in 2005, up from previous years. That means divers supposedly waste nearly an entire work week each year sitting in traffic on the way to and from their jobs.

So why not waste your life in traffic in the best and most comfortable way possible. According to Forbes, the “best commuter cars are comfortable, smooth-riding and spacious inside relative to their exterior footprint. They’re maneuverable, safe and fuel-efficient.”

Based on those criteria, Forbes tested models in a variety of segments to select their list of the Top 10 Best Commuter Cars.

Click through for the list...
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autopro - 10/16/2007 4:20:14 PM

+1 Boost

I commute 70 miles round trip and 48 miles of that is a bridge with cops all over the place.I can't speed or enjoy any curves.I guess I'll go put a 38 to my head and end it now.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/16/2007 5:04:21 PM

+1 Boost

I pretty much agree with this list. If I wanted a luxury car for commuting, it would probably be the LS460L. It is probably very entertaining with all of those features in traffic, and it's great for clients, too.

moto - 10/16/2007 5:15:38 PM

+1 Boost

Ultra-Affordable: Honda Fit: $15,400+
Ultra-Affordable: Smart ForTwo: $11,600+
Fun but Frugal: Nissan Altima: $18,900+ (you have to be kidding!)
Fun but Frugal: Mini Cooper: $18,700+
All-Economy: Toyota Prius: $21,000+
All-Economy: Honda Civic Hybrid: $23,200+
Luxury-Cruisers: Lexus LS460L: $71,500+
Luxury-Cruisers: BMW 335i Convertible: $49,900+
For Carpoolers: Mercedes-Benz GL 320 CDI: $53,200+
For Carpoolers: GMC Acadia: $28,300+

Porschinator - 10/16/2007 5:21:28 PM

+2 Boost

Thanks for recap moto =) I say the list is fair.

lexusis350 - 10/16/2007 5:27:50 PM

-4 Boost

I agree with all of those, but for carpoolers, I think it should have been a Toyota Land Cruiser instead of the GL. I've never really liked the GL. And for Fun but Frugal, it should have been a Honda Civic Si.

lexusis350 - 10/16/2007 5:28:22 PM

-3 Boost

...instead of the MINI

lexusis350 - 10/16/2007 5:29:13 PM

-4 Boost

And a Nissan Versa instead of a Smart ForTwo.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/16/2007 5:58:39 PM

+3 Boost

Some people would rather see the list NOT be infested by all-Japanese cars, sorry... the GL and MINI are incredible and definitely deserve their spots here. I think the reason the GL320 CDI was picked specifically was because of its great mileage. You won't see that in a Land Cruiser. The GL is also LESS-EXPENSIVE than the Land Cruiser, looks better, is more luxurious and has better handling.

Rupert - 10/16/2007 6:18:23 PM

+4 Boost

Exactly who needs a 5.7 V8 that gets like 18 mpg when you can have a diesel that'll get like 25?

lexusis350 - 10/16/2007 6:38:10 PM

-6 Boost

GMC and BMW aren't Japanese. I can't help it if all of the cars that are worth buying are Japanese.

pushrod27 - 10/16/2007 7:31:44 PM

-1 Boost

you can't help being a dumbass either, huh? this is the same brain donor that likes the Gallardo better than the Murcielago. It figures that he is a fan of Japanese cars and Lexus in particular.

Unskilled drivers who are less informed about cars prefer the easier to drive, lower maintenance cars that Japan specializes in.

lexusis350 - 10/16/2007 11:20:53 PM

+1 Boost

For the love.... I like Japanese cars because they don't give me problems. As for the Gallardo vs. Murcielego, I think the Gallardo looks better. I think the Murcielego looks old and in need of a restyle. The Gallardo might not be as fast as the Muricelego or have the trademark Lamborghini doors, but I'm entitled to my opinion. I don't hate cars that aren't Japanese. I love BMWs. Audis are nice to look at and Mercedes' are really beautiful. I just prefer to buy cars that aren't going to give me problems that cost a lot to get fixed.

Bill - 10/17/2007 11:11:35 AM

+2 Boost

Toyota Landcruiser? The Landcruiser is not known for its comfort or fuel efficiency, it never was. The Landcruiser was always good offroad and reliable, but not comfortable and fuel efficient. I know, I had a '81 when I was working in Guatemala.

Bill - 10/17/2007 11:16:43 AM

+2 Boost

"I like Japanese cars because they don't give me problems."

Mitsubishi
Subaru
Suzuki
Daihatsu
Yep, even Nissan

They give you tons of problems according to Consumer Reports.

So maybe you should change your statement to: "I like Toyota / Honda / Lexus because they don't give me problems."

There are tons of German, French, Italian etc. cars out there are solid and reliable.

lexusis350 - 10/17/2007 5:11:54 PM

0 Boost

Usually on this site when a car is referred to a "Japanese car" we're talking about the big Japanese 3: Toyota/Scion/Lexus, Honda/Acura, and Nissan/Infiniti. And what problems do Nissans have?

Htay7500 - 10/18/2007 5:08:53 PM

+1 Boost

if the LC had a diesel, then its a good comp w/ the gl320. its NOT economical when your stuck w/ its V8. I love land cruisers but its better to use them for its purpose.

1970toyotamarc - 10/16/2007 5:57:04 PM

+1 Boost

Nice to see Prius on the list, I love getting 50mpg on my commute. Just goes to show, that contrary to popular myth, the Prius is not just for city driving.

theoptimisticpessimist - 10/16/2007 7:08:58 PM

+3 Boost

Good Lord, I can't believe they picked the LS460L over the much more logical choice; the Bluetech E class Benz. I guess fuel economy only counts in little cars.

EL34 - 10/16/2007 8:02:42 PM

+2 Boost

Lexus wins best car to park with it's LS460.

Heck, even senior citizens love the car with it's cushy couch-like ride :)

Lemantech - 10/16/2007 8:12:58 PM

+3 Boost

and cushy couch-like handling...

theoptimisticpessimist - 10/16/2007 8:14:36 PM

+3 Boost

Except my Lexus salesperson tells me you have about a 50% chance of the LS actually being able to park itself.

t_bone - 10/17/2007 12:54:13 AM

+1 Boost

MINI Cooper S with auto would be unbeatable. Plus free maintenance for 4 years with BMW.

M35MT - 10/17/2007 8:40:30 AM

+1 Boost

GMC Acadia? Its heavy, slow and thirsty. WTF? For this size class, what about the TDI Toureg? Or the MT SUV of the year CX-9?

And for those of you who dont like the GL, I was at MB this past weekend and saw the new GL AMG, and WOW, looks awesome in AMG trim.

david999 - 10/17/2007 10:19:06 AM

-1 Boost

Have to agree with the list except for one. I would have chosen the LX470 instead of the GL. The GL just feels too much like a van to me.

Bill - 10/17/2007 11:14:17 AM

+3 Boost

You've got to be kidding me. The GL is a superb offroader and at the same time comfortable luxury car. I had the opportunity to drive one a month ago, a GL450. Van? What the hell are you talking about. You sound like you've not even driven it.

Tell me, is any Lexus SUV even equipped with a fuel efficient motor? The RX400h is not something I would consider economical, especially outside of the city.

Face it, the GL320 CDI deserves that placing. It's a wonderfully engineered and designed SUV. Offroad capable and at the same time comfortable and perfect for weekend or family vacation excursions. A LX470 will have to be refuelled at the next pump, constantly. That's no fun...