Analysts at NADAguides , online provider of new and used vehicle pricing and information sponsored by the National Auto Dealers Association, have named vehicles from Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Nissan and Toyota as t he top vehicles for first top vehicles for first time drivers in its annual “Back to School” survey.
   The criteria for included prices of less than $17,500, fuel-efficiency ratings of better than 25 miles per gallon and top safety rating both from NHTSA and from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Total Cost of Ownership is also part of the NADAguides calculations.
   The vehicles spotlighted as the Top New Back-to-School Cars for 2011 are the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LS, 2011 Ford Fiesta S Sedan and the 2011 Nissan Cube 1.8 S. Each of these new vehicles offers outstanding safety equipment and features, the latest in driver comfort and communications technology, versatility and excellent gas mileage, all for a reasonable price, NADA Guide’s analysts concluded.
    In addition, the three Top Used Back-to-School Cars for 2011 include the 2010 Kia Soul, 2010 Nissan Cube 1.8 S and the 2010 Toyota Corolla LE.  All are the previous year’s models, but earned a place on this year’s NADAguides Top Back-To-School list. 
 Troy Snyder, director of product development, NADAguides, said, “This time of year parents and teenagers alike are anxiously researching the best vehicles for getting to and from school safely and economically. 
 “There is an overwhelming amount of information online and we know spare time is a luxury for parents who need to find a suitable vehicle that fits the wants and needs of the family.  Our analysts have reviewed hundreds of thousands of data points to help narrow down the research process and provide parents with a range of vehicles that will make both parents and students happy and safe, all while not hitting the wallet too hard, ”  Snyder said. By Joseph Szczesny