Business & Tech

5 Cars That Make People Happy

From Mazdas to Fiats, these cars are said to put the biggest smiles on drivers' faces.

Getting a new car can be exciting, even thrilling, and mostly a happy occasion.

Sure, it matters what the car looks like on the outside and how comfy the interior is. But what may be most important is whether your new ride makes you happy.

The happiest owners are typically those who own luxury cars, according to a 2013 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout survey reported on by USA Today (though price is not always the arbiter here, as you will see). Happy owners are more likely to stick with the same brand of car that they have experience with and enjoy, the magazine reported.

And with that in mind, this week, we bring you five cars you can find for sale in or near Essex and Union counties that USA Today says make people "happiest." 

Listings and photos come from Cars.com, AOL Autos and individual dealers and sellers.


1. 2013 Fiat 500 Pop—New—$18,150

From Cars.com: The two-door, four-wheel drive Fiat 500 comes in Giallo (which you might know as the happiness-producing hue yellow) features radial tires, a tire pressure monitor, tinted glass, a 1.4 liter engine and fog lights. It also features a CD player, deluxe wheel covers and electronic stability control. Ask for Stock# F13-7. Available at JMK Fiat in Springville.

2. 2013 Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition—New—$32,080

From Cars.com: This Carbon Steel hatchback, four-wheel drive car features 200 HP horsepower, 6-speed automatic transmission with auto-shift, a 2.0 liter turbo engine and heated windshield wiper jets. It also features speed-proportional power steering, a sunroof, Bluetooth connectivity and audio controls on the steering wheel. W feel a smile coming on. Ask for Stock# V601416. Available at Douglas Volkswagen in Summit.

3. 2013 Lexus LX 570—New—$90,550

From Cars.com: This luxury SUV comes in glee-inducing Nebula Gray Pearl and features a Homelink system, push-button start and a moon roof. It also features side-impact door beams, Xenon headlights, memory mirrors, a 6-speed automatic transmission and a powerful 5.7 liter V8 engine. Ask for Stock# D4125748. Available at Tri-County Lexus in Fairfield. (A little drive, but we bet it'll make you happy.)

4. 2014 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring—New—$31,845

From Cars.com: This brand-spanking-new six-speed, all-wheel drive ride comes in Metallic exterior with strut front suspension, a radio data system and daytime driving lights, plus a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 2.5 liter 16V engine. It also features an in-dash CD player, audio controls on the steering wheel and comes with a Touring Tech package. Ask for Stock# 140665. The nearest one we could find is available at Wayne Mazda.

5. 2013 Kia Soul—New—$19,395

From Cars.com: This four-wheel drive wagon makes us think of dancing hamsters, which is a happy thought. The zippy urban-friendly ride features tinted glass, a power sunroof and multi-function steering wheel, with a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 2.0 liter engine. It also features fog lamps, a rear window wiper and tire pressure monitor. Ask for Stock# KD7606904. Available at Route 22 Kia in Hillside.


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