Many people have specific reasons for buying a car even if the motorists end up using them for multiple purposes. Your main reason for buying a car should dictate the type of car to purchase. For example, you should keep these tips in mind when shopping for a work commute car.

Safety

The United States experiences about six million auto accidents every year. Every driver faces a certain risk of accident, but the more you drive, the higher your risk of an accident. This means using your car to commute to and from work raises your risk of an auto accident. Therefore, you need a car with a proven safety record to reduce your risk of injury and property damage if you are ever involved in a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) both provide good starting points for your car safety research.

Fuel Consumption

A commute car should have good fuel consumption. A difference of a few miles per gallon can translate into huge savings over a year if you use the same car every day. Evaluate all options, including hybrid, electric, and alternative-fuel cars, to find a car that gives you the most miles at the least price. If you care for the environment, as everyone should, then a car with good mileage should also make you happy knowing that you will be doing your bit to conserve the environment.

Reliability

If you will be driving the same car every day, then it makes sense that it should be something reliable; something you can use every day without frequent breakdowns. You don't want to be calling for tow trucks every couple of weeks, or getting to work late regularly because of car trouble. Therefore, research the reliability of cars so that you don't use most of your salary for fixing car damages.

Maintenance Costs

Even if your car doesn't break down often, you will have to service it regularly. Checking for wear and tear, changing some parts (such as the fluids, brake pads, and tire), and lubricating and greasing the car are some of the necessary regular maintenance practices. The more you drive your car, the shorter the maintenance schedules will be. Therefore, get a car that won't cost you an arm and a leg every time you go for service.

Comfort

Lastly, you can't ignore the element of comfort for a car that you will be using on a regular basis. Your head shouldn't hit the roof of the car every time you go over a bump, and you shouldn't have to struggle to get into and out of the car every day. Test-drive the available options so that you can end up with a comfortable car, whether that ends up being one of the Ford SUVs or another type of vehicle.