May is graduation season, and many parents choose to reward their kids' hard work with the gift of a car. Total Car Score recently published a list of its picks for the best cars for drivers fresh out of college that are reliable, safe, fuel efficient and affordable. The Kia Forte not only made the grade, but it was the most affordable vehicle on the list, which also included the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, Chevy Cruze and Scion xB.

"Forte's achievement of being named to Total Car Score's 'Top Cars for College Grads' list is validation that its low cost and abundance of smart, youthful characteristics make it a natural fit for young adults who are about to enter the professional world," said Orth Hedrick, product planning director for Kia Motors America. "Furthermore, as the automotive marketplace becomes increasingly competitive with higher-quality cars, the Kia Forte is poised to succeed as one of the most well-built, well-equipped cars in its class."

In the past few years, Kia has built up a reputation for delivering affordable, trustworthy vehicles and the company is now one of the leading brands in the U.S., making it a great choice for a college grad.

A new Forte has a starting price of just $15,200. This means used models are likely to be even more affordable. The Forte has not undergone any dramatic changes in the past few years, so parents can save money by purchasing a used model from a used car dealer in New Jersey like New Jersey State Auto Auction. An older version will still have many of the same amenities as the 2012 model.