(August 4, 2016) IRVINE, Calif. — With the 2016-2017 school year right around the corner, many students and parents of teens are considering their transportation needs to and from campus and activities.  To help shoppers narrow down their choices, the editors at Kelley Blue Book kbb.com have named this year's 10 Best Back-to-School Cars of 2016.

For the third consecutive year, the Honda Fit starting at $15,776 has been ranked the number one vehicle. Honda landed three of the top four cars with the Civic ranked third and the HR-V fourth. The Kia Soul was ranked second.

As another new semester kicks off, KBB.com's expert editors hand-picked a selection of new cars they recommend for students.  Each of the KBB.com new-car recommendations is available starting under $20,000, according to Kelley Blue Book's Fair Purchase Price. 

Updated weekly and based on current market conditions like vehicle availability, local demand and seasonal buying trends, the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price shows shoppers what others have been paying for a new car recently and is included in KBB.com's Price Advisor tool, which provides range-based market pricing.

"Safety is the paramount decision when it comes to back-to-school cars, and practicality and affordability are also high on the list of desirable characteristics, at least according to parents," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com. "The kids involved also prefer to have a car they're happy to be seen in, which suggests that style is part of the equation too. 

"Our 2016 list of the 10 Best Back-to-School Cars addresses all of these wants with an array of cool cars that has something for just about any returning student."

Car shopping and buying tips for students and parents

To help ensure driving and ownership satisfaction into the coming school year and beyond, follow these guidelines for getting the right car at the right price and check out KBB.com's 10 Tips for First-Time Car Buyers:

    Do Your Research:  All the information you need to make a smart car-buying decision is available at KBB.com, including both expert and consumer reviews and ratings, Price Advisor information including Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price, side-by-side comparisons, safety and reliability ratings and more.

    Know What It Is Going to Cost You:  Once you've narrowed it down to a few models that you are interested in, be sure to check out not only what it will cost you up front to buy the car, but also what it will cost you over time to own the vehicle.  KBB.com's 5-Year Cost-to-Own information for new cars can help you determine both.

    Drive At Least Two or Three Different Models:  It's easy to enjoy a test drive in the vehicle at the top of your list, but without driving one or two others to compare, you might easily miss out on something you'd like even more.

    If Buying New:  Always use a vehicle's Fair Purchase Price, not Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, as your basis for comparing vehicles and negotiating with the dealer.  Kelley Blue Book's Fair Purchase Price reflects the prices people are typically paying a dealer for a new car, based on new-car transactions and adjusted regularly as market conditions change.  Kelley Blue Book's Fair Purchase Price may be hundreds or even thousands of dollars less than MSRP.

    If Buying Used:  Whether buying from a private party or a dealer, it's always a good idea to have any used vehicle checked out by a reputable independent service shop.  When purchasing from an individual, check out the private-party value from KBB.com as well as Kelley Blue Book's Quick Condition Quiz.  These items will help you determine the "actual" condition and value of the vehicle.

    Consider Certified Pre-Owned (CPO):  When you buy a CPO vehicle, you get the value of buying a used car with the peace of mind that comes from getting new-car-like features, such as a manufacturer-backed vehicle warranty, full vehicle inspection and more.  Learn more about buying CPO, compare all manufacturer CPO programs and even search for CPO vehicle inventory in your local area on KBB.com.

    Shop Online:  Use the Internet to find the exact vehicles local dealers in your area currently have on their lots.  You can check out inventory in the 'Cars for Sale' section on KBB.com to save time and hassle of driving around from dealership to dealership.  This way you can choose wisely which models you want to go test drive.

    Parents:  Don't buy a car for your teen without driving it yourself, as your experience can help you identify problems or shortcomings that your teen may not notice.  Also, trust your own judgment and don't let your teen talk you into buying a vehicle with which you're not fully comfortable.

    Teens:  Do all of your homework before you meet with mom or dad; show them you are responsible and ready for a car, and make it easy for them to say "yes" to your well-researched choice.