When it comes to driving to work, a comfortable commute can go a long way toward having a productive, satisfying workday.
On average, Americans spend more than 25 minutes getting to their jobs, according to the Census Bureau.
Check out these great commuter cars >
Add the amount of time it takes to drive home, and it means about an hour stuck in traffic daily.
It may be impossible to eliminate gridlock, but being in the right car can help make a commute easier.
The best cars to handle the drive to work should have good fuel economy, be able to navigate stop-and-go traffic effectively, and be comfortable for all occupants.
Here are Bankrate's top eight picks for the best cars for commuting, including their manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Toyota Prius c
Starting MSRP: $18,950
Engine specs: 1.5 liters, four cylinders
Gas mileage: City — 53 mpg, Highway — 46 mpg
Standard parts of the system include vehicle stability control, traction control, an antilock brake system, brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, which help keep the car stable when the driver uses the brakes.
This popular hybrid has one of the best estimated fuel economies of the entire list, and it has many safety features that are important to have in cars for commuting.
The features, part of what Toyota calls its Star Safety System, helped the Prius c model earn a 2012 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The Prius also comes equipped with an AM/FM CD player that has MP3 playback capability and four speakers, so riders can comfortably listen to their favorite audiobook or song on the way to the office.
Advanced Prius c models also have an option to install the Entune information system, which provides real-time data on traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports and stocks.
The system includes the Bing search browser and Pandora Internet radio. It is a subscription-based service that's complimentary for three years.
Hyundai Elantra
Starting MSRP: $16,815
Engine specs: 1.8 liters, four cylinders
Gas mileage: City — 28 mpg, Highway — 38 mpg
This vehicle has a low MSRP as one of the top cars for commuting.
The above-average fuel economy and attractive price help workers who want to buy a car that gets them to work but still allows them to have money left over to put in their 401(k) retirement plans.
The roomy Elantra has 40 inches of front-seat interior headroom and an adjustable driver seat.
For those drivers who need to hear their favorite song before the start of the workday, the vehicle has a 172-watt six-speaker AM/FM radio, CD and MP3 audio system.
The Elantra also earned a 2012 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, based on the latest test scores available.
To earn the honors, Elantra had good performance in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and rear tests.
Hyundai backs their new vehicles with a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a five-year, 24-hour roadside-assistance service.
Mazda3 i (SV model)
Starting MSRP: $16,700
Engine specs: 2 liters, four cylinders
Gas mileage: City —25 mpg, Highway — 33 mpg
The Mazda3 has a sound system that includes 10 speakers, Bluetooth, CD/MP3 and USB connectivity on top models. The vehicle comes in seven colors.
The sleek but affordable Mazda3 is a highway fuel-sipper with technology dubbed Skyactiv-G, which enables the vehicle to reach as much as a 40 mpg threshold for highway fuel economy on one model of the Mazda3.
According to Mazda, new advances in the design of the transmission helped improve fuel efficiency by 4 percent to 7 percent.
The sedan also earned 2012 Top Safety Pick honors from IIHS, using the most recent test scores.
Advanced safety features include front and front-side-impact air bags, side-impact air curtains, an antilock brake system and traction control system.
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