kbb.com, in a twist on its annual list of top road trip cars, identified 10 life stages of the American driver on the road today then determined the most fitting new car for each stage.

For 2011, kbb.com editors put the 2012 Ford Focus at the head of the class as the ride that’s most fit for students who long for the open road.

kbb.com says the Focus “looks cool, sports an upscale interior, rides and handles incredibly well and costs about the same as some more boring compact cars.”

The five-door hatchback with extra cargo room is recommended for added storage, and Focus fuel economy of 38 mpg (40 mpg for the SFE sedan) is “not to be overlooked.”

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