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New School Year. New Ride?
By Taylor Provost / 07/29/2025 / Your Car
As summer starts to wind down, it might be time to start sorting out your car situation, particularly if your needs are changing. No matter what the school year has in store for you and your family, have confidence as you explore your options.
Taking kids to school
If the days of diapers and afternoon naps have turned into ones filled to the brim with theater rehearsals and sports practice, your four-door sedan might not be making the grade. But what’s the best fit?
Keep in mind how many seats you need, what technology and safety and driver assistance features you want, and how much car you can afford.
- Seating capacity. If carpool duty is constant, a larger SUV — like a Chevrolet Tahoe or Cadillac Escalade — may be the way to go. For smaller families, a compact SUV like the Buick Envision might be a better fit. Fall somewhere in the middle? Consider a midsize SUV — like the GMC Acadia or Cadillac VISTIQ.
- Advanced safety and driver assistance features. Look for vehicles equipped with General Motors’ Super Cruise® Hands-Free Driver Assistance,1 Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking2 and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning.2
- Electric vehicle options. For school and activity pickup, carpooling and errands around town, consider leasing or financing an EV like Chevrolet’s Blazer and Equinox or a Cadillac LYRIQ.
No matter what you have on your plate this school year, there’s a vehicle that will certainly hold all of the game day snacks you could dream of, in addition to the kids and their backpacks.
Teens driving themselves
When your child approaches driving age, they may have expectations for what their own car will be. Maybe they’ll graciously accept the hand-me-down set of wheels you’ve been driving for a while or you’ll decide to lease or buy a new car for them. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
Before signing on the dotted line, there are a few things to consider as your new driver begins to navigate the road.
- Safety first. Many modern vehicles offer advanced safety and driver assistance features like the ones mentioned above, as well as Side Blind Zone Alert,2 Teen Driver2 and OnStar® capabilities to help your new driver navigate the road.
- Fuel efficiency or EV options. For teens commuting to school or extracurriculars, a fuel-efficient car like the Chevrolet Trax3 or an affordable EV like the Chevrolet Bolt EV could be a smart choice.
- Maintenance tips. Teach your teen the basics of car care, such as checking tire pressure, scheduling regular tuneups and understanding dashboard warning lights.
It’s also important to talk about the responsibilities that accompany getting behind the wheel and guidelines to assist them in becoming a safe teen driver. Remember to help them research the possible restrictions on their new license. Some states limit the number of passengers for new drivers and others have strict curfews.
Off to college
The transition from high school to college is a big step, and it might mean a different vehicle is necessary. Whether your college student is commuting or heading to campus across the country, the right car can make all the difference.
- Cargo space. College athletes or students moving into dorms may need extra room for gear and belongings. A midsize SUV like the GMC Terrain or Chevrolet Equinox or Equinox EV could be ideal.
- Parking-friendly features. Not all college towns are created equal. Some are more suited for smaller cars, especially those located in communities where parallel parking is the primary option. If that sounds like where your kid is headed, getting a vehicle with Front and Rear Park Assist2 and Side Bicyclist Alert2 could be helpful.
- All-weather-ready choices. Weather is another factor to consider in your vehicle hunt. Moving from a sunny place with only a few bad weather days a month to a place where it snows might not be suited for your current ride. Do your research on which cars, trucks or SUVs are best for winter weather and have that information fuel your final choice.
School the road
Regardless of the stage of life your family is in, your transportation needs change over time. And that includes the need to make sure your car is maintained and serviced on a regular basis. All four GM brands — Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac — have special servicing offers that will give you peace of mind just in time for the new school year. If you’re driving an electric vehicle, stay on top of battery health and charging station availability. GM offers resources to help you locate fast chargers and schedule EV-specific maintenance.
Ready to upgrade? Get started on your journey to a new ride by applying to prequalify and viewing current offers. With a little preparation, you can approach this back-to-school season with confidence and new keys to get wherever you’re headed.
1Always pay attention while driving and when using Super Cruise. Do not use a handheld device. Requires active Super Cruise plan or trial. Terms apply. Visit the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac websites for compatible roads and full details.
2Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. The driver should remain attentive to traffic, surroundings and road conditions at all times. Visibility, weather and road conditions may affect feature performance. Read the vehicle Owner's Manual for more important feature limitations and information.
3EPA-estimated 28 MPG city/32 highway/30 combined.
By Taylor Provost, GM Financial
Taylor Provost loves puzzles of any kind, and that includes decoding complex ideas and concepts so she can share them with others in simpler terms. A true word nerd, you’ll often find her solving a crossword puzzle at home when she’s not road-tripping to a national park with her family.
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