The Five Best Used Chevy Cars for City Driving

August 31st, 2018 by

A white 2019 Chevy Spark is shown from the side.

From stop-and-go traffic to narrow streets, throngs of pedestrians to tight street-side parking spaces, not every type of car can handle the challenges of city driving. This calls for a car that’s made for the city, and if you’re on the hunt for used cars in Cincinnati, let McCluskey Chevrolet help you find the vehicle that will add enjoyment to hectic city commutes. The last thing you want to worry about is not being comfortable or safe when you’re attempting to navigate through dense traffic, which makes the following list some of the best vehicles around when the city lights are calling your name.

#1. The Chevy Spark: Small & Spunky

Large vehicles aren’t the best equipped to navigate tightly packed city streets, which makes subcompact cars the go-to option when city commuting is on the agenda. The Spark is a fabulous vehicle to help you make it through your everyday drive in the city comfortably and efficiently. It’s small and easy to handle, especially when you’re trying to snag that parking space on the street that’s right in front of your building. Plus, it’s highly efficient, with more recent models able to get 30 MPG in the city, much more than many other models in the industry that tend to struggle with the city drive. You’ll also find that its size doesn’t dictate the amount of space you’re able to enjoy inside, with plenty of legroom to get comfortable and a sizable cargo hold for your travel belongings.

Staying safe is another big factor to consider, especially when you’re riding through the city, with quickly changing stop lights and hoards of pedestrians crossing the streets. In choosing newer Chevy Spark models, you’ll get to take advantage of advanced safety features that make maneuvering through this environment easier and safer. This subcompact hatch has your city commute all figured out, and it’s just waiting for a chance to impress you.

#2. The Mazda CX-30: Comfortably Luxurious

You may spend more time than you’d like behind the wheel trying to get from one end of the city to the other, and when you’re not riding in a comfortable car, this can take a toll on you. Fortunately, Mazda showcases luxury-level vehicles for affordable prices, and its CX-30 is one of our favorite city commuters. This subcompact SUV not only showcases extremely beautiful styling and intense comfort within, it’s also easy to handle and offers a smooth and controlled ride quality, allowing you to sit back and truly enjoy your travels through the city. It can also be armed with all-wheel drive capabilities, which really come in handy when Mother Nature wreaks havoc on your daily travels, greeting you with snow and ice during your morning drive or an afternoon monsoon on your way home from the office.

Efficient, enjoyable, and available with outstanding comfort features, including premium appointments, leather seats, and more upscale elements, the CX-30 makes riding anywhere feel like absolute luxury. It also includes plenty of tech to make your drive better, especially when you opt for more recent model years, like those from 2021. These models include an 8.8-inch touchscreen, smartphone capability, a Wi-Fi Hotspot, and more helpful and engaging tech features. When you want to travel in style and enjoy ultimate tranquility during your city commute, the Mazda CX-30 has you covered inside and out.

A red 2020 Nissan Altima is shown driving through a city at night.

#3. The Nissan Altima: Safe & Reliable

The Altima is not only exciting to drive, with its available VC Turbo engine in newer models, it’s also incredibly safe and features a ride quality that’s unlike many sedans in its class. This midsize sedan has it all—plenty of space in its trunk for all of your travel gear, advanced safety features to keep you confident on the road, and comfort features within its spacious cabin to deliver the ride you need during your everyday commute. It’s small and nimble enough to wind through dense city traffic, yet it doesn’t compromise on space, providing ample legroom so that you’re able to enjoy every moment of your journey.

Its fuel economy is exceptional, the level of safety and assistance tech you’ll find is outstanding, especially in more recent models, and the reliability you’ll get to take advantage of is unmatched. Nissan is known for designing vehicles that hold their value and offer drivers a level of dependability that you won’t find elsewhere. If you’re looking for a sedan that can tackle your city commute like a true professional, the safe and sturdy Nissan Altima is up to the challenge.

#4. The Toyota Prius: Designed for City Driving

When you think of hybrids, chances are the Prius is one of the first cars that comes to mind. It’s one of the original hybrids that ushered in a wave of efficiency in our travels, and when it comes to city traveling, the Prius has this down perfectly. Take models from 2020, for example, as these vehicles are able to get up to 59 MPG in the city thanks to regenerative braking, which helps charge the electric motor while you navigate the stop-and-go traffic throughout the city. This results in a heightened level of performance and efficiency on city streets.

The Prius is an exceptional model, and Toyota is highly regarded in the industry for its excellent quality and reliability. Its compact size makes it a top option for those who are concerned about being able to jet around packed city streets easily and safely, and with all-wheel drive capabilities available in newer models, taking on inclement weather is easy in this trusted Toyota hybrid. The Prius has everything you want in your daily commute, and if efficiency is a priority, it’s one of the best vehicles around to help you keep more money in your pocket at the gas station.

A popular used car in Cincinnati, a blue 2022 Chevy Bolt EV, is shown from the side driving over a bridge.

#5. The Chevy Bolt EV: Electrifyingly Efficient

If you’re looking for a more sustainable method of traveling, an electric vehicle may have sparked your interest, and the Bolt EV is one of the best on the market. Many drivers believe that EVs are simply out of financial reach, but with Chevrolet’s mission of providing affordable vehicles to the masses, it’s easy to make a Bolt EV fit into your finances. It’s already pleasantly affordable, and when you buy used, you get to enjoy even more savings. With newer Bolt EVs getting up to 259 miles on a single charge, you won’t have to worry about a sudden traffic jam adding more time to your daily drive.

Despite its small size, you’ll quickly realize that its interior is carefully laid out to showcase plenty of legroom and cargo space, making the Bolt EV an ideal city traveler. Tech features become more advanced with each model year, but even a model a year or two older will showcase advanced connectivity and safety features to make any commute focused and more enjoyable. If you’re ready to join the electric revolution, the Chevy Bolt EV can’t wait to welcome you to the EV family.

A Car for Every City Commute

Whether you’re most interested in efficiency or comfort is at the top of your list, there’s a used car that can provide you with everything you’re looking for in your journey. You may want a small sedan to zip through traffic, or maybe a spacious SUV is more your style. Shopping from our used car inventory here at McCluskey Chevrolet will quickly show you that you have plenty of options to maximize your commute through the city and beyond. Stop by and see what we have to offer, and get ready to add immense value, comfort, and efficiency to your commute so that you’re able to truly enjoy the city sights during your daily drive.