The right car eases rough commutes
By Mitch McCullough, New Car Test Drive editor-in-chief

Driving more than an hour to work bumping and grinding through traffic can drive the sanest people up the wall. Freeways jammed with stop-and-go tests patience and raises stress levels. It's not the best way to start and end your workday, but it's life in the big city. Nowadays, it's also life in the big suburbs.

And it isn't getting better. In fact, traffic is getting worse during the commuting hours. A 2005 report published by the U.S. Transportation Research Board says huge numbers of baby boomers are going to work at the same time a large influx of immigrant workers has hit the roads. The number of workers with commutes lasting more than an hour grew 50 percent between 1990 and 2000, the report says. The U.S. Census Bureau says more drivers are leaving for work early in the morning, between 5 and 6:30 a.m., and driving 60 to 90 minutes, often to a job in the suburbs. This means a long drive through tedious traffic early in the morning. Today, more than 10 million workers travel more than 60 minutes each way, and about 3.3 million travel more than 90 minutes.

California has the worst traffic jams, particularly around Los Angeles, Riverside-San Bernardino, and San Francisco. Orlando, Florida, ranks near the top of the list. The list of high-traffic areas is long, but drivers in Washington, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, New York, Boston, Detroit, Chicago, and in large and small towns all over the U.S. don't need studies to tell them the traffic is bad. They are keenly aware of it.

Of course, you could move closer to your workplace, work from home, or adjust your hours to avoid traffic. For many of us, that's not possible. We're stuck with the big commute. Fine. You could carpool or, assuming it's available, you could use mass transportation. But you may prefer the freedom of having your car. Most Americans say driving gives them a sense of independence.

A grinding commute can affect your mood at work, however. Heavy traffic can make drivers frustrated, angry, or nervous, according to a poll conducted for ABC News, Time magazine, and the Washington Post. All this commuting time can take away from family life. Put all this together, add in that idiot in front of you, and your stress levels are soaring.

Fortunately, the right car can help.

A mechanically refined car devoid of annoying traits can help keep your blood pressure in check. Indeed, the ABC News/Time/Washington Post poll found many drivers say driving is often relaxing.

What doesn't help relaxation is a car that has an overly sensitive throttle or grabby brakes or some mechanical trait that annoys you in stop-and-go traffic as it's repeated over and over a thousand times a day. Also unhelpful are audio controls that require a lot of attention to operate and distract the driver's eyes from the road. Nor is an uncomfortable seat good for long commutes.

The editors at NewCarTestDrive.com looked at all of this stuff and more and came up with a list of 10 cars we think are particularly well suited to crushing commutes.

We didn't just look at fuel-economy charts: We drove these cars. Our test drives included every major 2008 model sold in the U.S., more than 200 cars. We evaluated them for smoothness in the worst stop-and-go traffic we could find, test driving them in Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, and other snarl havens.

The result is this list of 10 cars that excel on the commuter's battlefield.

During our test drives, we looked for cars that were mechanically refined, with smooth brakes, a smooth throttle, and a smooth ride. We have found a lot of new cars have overly sensitive throttles, sometimes because the manufacturer wants them to feel zippy during the pre-sale test drive. The lightest touch of the gas pedal makes some cars lurch forward. Or the throttle is non-linear in its response. Both are traits that get old in stop-and-go traffic. Likewise, the brakes on some cars are smoother and easier to modulate than others, important in slow-and-go traffic. And some cars have transmissions that hunt for the right gear.

We chose cars that afford excellent driver visibility front and rear, making it easier and safer to negotiate heavy traffic. Likewise, we looked for interior controls that can be operated without distraction to reduce the chance of an accident. We gave extra points for great-sounding stereos and looked for systems that made it easy to switch radio stations and modes, so you can quickly go from music to talk radio to CD to TV audio. We demanded comfortable seats and secure cup holders.

Moving up the price scale, the ultimate commuter car offers satellite navigation, real-time traffic reports, Bluetooth, voice commands and other technology to ease the pain. Some of these cars can actually help you dodge traffic. They can eliminate fears of getting lost, they can add value to your commute time, and they can soothe you with their comfort and entertainment options. You can have a love affair with such a car.

While our subjective evaluations were our main guide, we did look at some charts and brought some science to the equation. With gas prices heading toward $4 a gallon, fuel economy was a factor in our choices. We also looked at pricing.

We chose vehicles that offer curtain airbags and other passive safety features for crash protection because actually arriving at your destination is the objective. And because arriving on time is important, we demanded electronic stability control and other active safety features to help you avoid wrecks, especially when rain hits oily pavement.

We chose vehicles from a variety of classes and price ranges because the role of most cars extends beyond the daily commute. Compact cars come to mind whenever the term commuter car is used, so we started with four compacts; we included two midsize sedans, a compact SUV, a large crossover SUV, an entry-luxury sedan, and a luxury sedan. Most other categories do not include any great commuter cars, though it's worth noting that any car can be a great commuter car if its driver loves and enjoys it. Some drivers love their cars, while others view them as transportation appliances.

New Car Test Drive's Best Commuter Cars

Best Subcompact Commuter - 2008 Toyota Yaris ($11,825) 29/36 mpg The Toyota Yaris is inexpensive to buy and easy on gas yet it's quite pleasant to drive and operates comfortably in heavy traffic. The engine revs freely and smoothly. It's good at poking along in heavy traffic or zipping down an open highway. The optional automatic is a commuter's best friend with its smooth upshifts and crisp downshifts. Brake pedal feel is especially good in this car. The Yaris is a compact with a spacious cockpit. Its supportive seats make it comfortable, and the stereo and air conditioning are simple and easy to operate. We like the stylish hatch, but the sedate sedan's four doors offer quick briefcase stowage.

Best Sporty Commuter - 2008 Honda Fit ($13,850) 28/34 mpg The Honda Fit is amazingly comfortable given its size, and its sporty performance makes it a joy to drive. The Fit is comfortable for commuting and very good at running errands. It's easy to maneuver in crowded quarters and it has a smooth ride over bumpy streets. The engine is very flexible, running well at high and low revs, the latter making it good for commuting. We like the five-speed manual, smooth and easy to shift. Brakes are easy to modulate for smooth, accurate slowing or stopping.

Best Wired Commuter - 2008 Ford Focus SES ($16,375) 24/35 mpg Thoroughly revised for 2008, the Ford Focus SES comes with Sync. Sync operates via voice commands to make phone calls, change radio stations, and perform other duties common in today's commuting environment. The seats are cushy, there's decent leg room and head room, and the controls are straightforward and easy to use. The Focus is small and handles well, allowing nimble lane changes, yet it offers a more compliant ride than some of the other compacts, smoothing out that beat up pavement. Plugged-in commuters shopping for a compact should take a look.

Best Hybrid Commuter - 2008 Toyota Prius ($21,725) 48/45 mpg The Toyota Prius is the most fuel efficient car sold in America, according to the EPA, rating 48 mpg City, 45 mpg Highway using the stringent new testing methods. We think the Prius is a superb commuter car, particularly for owners interested in minimizing emissions. You could drive a Prius coast to coast a couple of times and emit less pollution than you would painting a bedroom. Skilful drivers can keep it running strictly on electric power in heavy traffic, using the gas engine only when needed. Large windows make for excellent visibility, while midsize roominess makes for a comfortable cabin. Some states let hybrids drive in carpool lanes, a dealmaker for lone commuters. The standard model offers a softer ride than the Touring, which may make the less-expensive version better for commuting on rough highways.

Best Midsize Commuter - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu ($19,995) 22/30 mpg The all-new 2008 Chevy Malibu is smooth and comfortable for long commutes with plenty of power for responsive performance in traffic. It rides smoothly and the seats are comfortable. We found the optional V6 and six-speed automatic a smooth and responsive combination, but we recommend the four-cylinder LS for its fuel efficiency. The $20,995 V6-powered LT is rated 17/26 mpg. The $19,995 LS gets 22/30 mpg from its four-cylinder, while the $22,140 Hybrid model is rated 24/32 mpg.

Best Midsize Hybrid Commuter - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid ($25,200) 33/34 mpg The Toyota Camry offers a smoother ride than most midsize sedans, along with a responsive throttle, and excellent interior ergonomics. The Camry Hybrid delivers an EPA-rated 33/34 mpg and emits almost no pollution. The Hybrid comes loaded with JBL audio and Bluetooth along. It has a sophisticated traction and stability system that can reduce the chance of losing control on a slippery on-ramp. The Camry seats four comfortably, it will never annoy you, and it's supremely reliable.

Best Commuter SUV - 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line ($24,170) 25/32 mpg The all-new 2008 Saturn Vue is based on a German Opel and it's a vast improvement over last year's model, which used a General Motors platform. Its smooth styling is more attractive if less distinctive than the previous Vue. We found the Vue smooth in traffic, a benefit of its unit-body structure. The brakes are smooth and linear and acceleration is smooth. All of the Vue models are good and the V6 version is authoritative, but the Green Line is the most efficient, combining a four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for an EPA-rated 25/32 mpg. A compact SUV, the Vue offers 56 cubic feet of cargo space accessible through its easy-lift liftgate and there's lots of cubby storage that adds to its convenience when commuting.

Best Big Commuter - 2008 Buick Enclave ($32,770) 16/24 mpg The all-new 2008 Buick Enclave seats up to eight people, making it a great choice for car pooling or moving family members and their stuff around. Its cabin is comfortable and luxurious and has a feeling of quality. Engineered with Buick's Quiet Tuning philosophy, the Enclave is smooth and very quiet in traffic, shielding its occupants from all that nasty traffic outside. Enclave leads its class with an EPA-rated 16/24 mpg. Yet it's quite responsive and is rated to tow up to 4,500 pounds. OnStar with Turn-By-Turn voice-guided navigation ensures the driver is always going the right way while XM Satellite Radio provides up-to-the-minute 24/7 news coverage. Rear Park Assist and a rear back-up camera make parking safer, easier and more efficient. The Enclave comes with all the latest active and passive safety features wrapped in a big, well-engineered shell offering lots of crash protection. This luxurious crossover SUV sets the current trend for big vehicles.

Best Commuter Car - 2008 Cadillac CTS ($32,245) 18/26 mpg The all-new 2008 Cadillac CTS is a commuter's dream, with a sophisticated navigation that's easy to use, a radio with TiVo-like replay features, ergonomically excellent controls, and smooth operation. Voice commands can be used to control many features, reducing driver distraction. The XM Satellite Radio system displays real-time traffic and weather conditions and can direct you to the nearest Starbucks. It can also re-wind radio broadcasts, allowing the driver to replay that song or statement that was missed and then skip through commercials. It can rip songs from your CDs to its hard drive, eliminating the hassle of loading disks. Add to that the silky-smooth transitions between brake and gas and the new Cadillac CTS gets our vote for NCTD's Commuter Car of the Year.

Best Executive Express - 2008 Acura RL ($53,700) 16/24 mpg Smooth and luxurious yet more efficient than its bigger, V8-powered rivals, the Acura RL is a sanctuary from commuter traffic. It's super smooth in stop-and-go traffic yet brilliantly responsive. It's loaded with features that can improve your commute. Yet the RL distinguishes itself from more expensive luxury cars by being easier to operate and less distracting to the driver. The stereo sounds great and is easy to work. Acura's navigation system is superb in terms of ease of use and sophistication. Its real-time traffic reporting helps commuters steer away from congested freeways. Its active cruise control matches the pace of the car ahead and alerts the driver when everyone stands on the brakes. The RL's all-wheel-drive system improves handling on slippery on-ramps. The RL retails for $46,280 or $53,700 with the Collision Mitigation Braking System, Michelin PAX run-flat tires, and the Technical Package, all useful for commuters. The RL carries over to 2008 unchanged. For 2009, the RL gets a larger engine, a revised all-wheel drive system, new styling, and a host of new technology features. We're betting it will be even better for commuting but haven't tested it.

NewCarTestDrive.com correspondents J.P. Vettraino in Detroit, G.R. Whale in Los Angeles, and Kirk Bell in Chicago contributed to this story.

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