New Yorkers are a creative, industrious, and resilient bunch, so it stands to reason that the best cars for New Yorkers would share those qualities. Driving in New York City is an act of bravery in and of itself, between the Frogger-like traffic, the non-existent parking, and pedestrians that don’t seem to understand crosswalks. But plenty of people do it, and if you’re looking for a hearty car that can brave Broadway and The Bowery, then check out the cars that hit the Top of the Rock in my book (see what I did there?).
Top Pick in Best Cars for New Yorkers: Audi A6
Here’s the thing – New York City is full of people. Millions of people. And in a city with millions of people, some of those people’s cars are going to get stolen. Yes, the city is much reformed from its poor reputation in past decades, but just in case, the Audi A6 is number one on the list of least stolen cars. That’s a completely practical reason to buy the car, but take one look at its sophisticated body styling and slightly flossy exterior, and you’ll find another reason. The best cars for New Yorkers are the ones that help them stand out from the thronging crowds, and while Audi might not be top of mind when you think of luxury vehicles, US News rankings say otherwise. They put the A6 as their #2 pick in Luxury Large Cars, where it competes (and outranks) cars by Jaguar and BMW. With a starting cost of around $41,700, the A6 is also extremely reasonably priced for a luxury ride, proving that you don’t have to drop a lot of coin to look like a million bucks.
First Runner-Up in Best Cars for New Yorkers: Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
There are a lot of excellent reasons to take a good look at the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, and try and wipe that shocked expression off your face while doing so. The best cars for New Yorkers are also the ones that get excellent gas mileage, and the MKZ Hybrid boasts around 41 MPG city. The 36 MPG hwy also means that you can bolt out of town for the weekend, and head up to Woodstock for a little R&R with the other city folk. Reviews say that the interior is every bit the lady, maintaining sophistication and luxury, despite the car’s eco-friendly attitude, so this car is like New York City meets San Francisco. A posh interior is important in a city like New York, in order to protect your passengers from the noise of tourists gawking and locals screaming on their cell phones. Plus, this hybrid is the same price as its gas-only counterpart!
Second Runner-Up in Best Cars for New Yorkers: Smart Car Pure Coupe
If you’ve ever lived in The Big Apple, then you know that the best cars for New Yorkers are the ones that can fit into any parking space…even the ones that aren’t really parking spaces. In a city where space is pricey, the Smart Car Pure Coupe may be the best money you can spend on a little vehicle that can weave in and out of stop-and-go traffic on the GW Expressway. Aside from being very affordable, even on a filmmaker/barista’s salary, Smart Cars are designed for people who want to tool around the city in a fun little ride. And although these cars are a bit boutiquey in nature, you can rest easy knowing that there is a Smart Center right in Manhattan.
