ORLANDO, Fla. -

With gas prices high, commuting and the amount of money it takes to get from home to work and back again has high priority on consumers’ minds these days. And according to AAA, 86 percent of Americans rely on their vehicle to get them to and from work every day.

In what could be an additional selling point dealers for dealers to use to connect with these consumers who make the long trek to work and need a suitable ride, AAA released a list Tuesday of select top vehicles for commuters.

According to AAA auto buying experts, the average commute for Americans is 25 minutes each way, and gas prices are sitting at around $3.50 per gallon.

But AAA’s list of top commuter vehicles doesn’t just include hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius, and other gas sippers; family cars, such as the Honda Odyssey also made the list.

"Many Americans are spending several hours every week in their vehicle to get to and from work," says John Nielsen, director, AAA Automotive Engineering and Repair. "Having a vehicle that is reliable, fuel-efficient and comfortable can really make a difference in your everyday routine."

AAA's top vehicle picks are selected by AAA Auto Buying experts who test drive and evaluate hundreds of vehicles each year.  Fuel efficiency, comfort and overall performance helped create this top list of vehicles for commuters, AAA said.

Here are the top picks, broken up into four segments, with AAA’s comments and pricing estimates from TrueCar.com:

Compact Vehicles

Chevrolet Volt:

"This four-passenger, plug-in electric vehicle, sidesteps range anxiety with a gasoline engine on board to run a generator. The newest versions of the Volt allow a driver to force operation of the gasoline engine, ideal for a commute that starts on a highway, where gasoline power is more efficient, and ends in a city, where battery power is more cost effective. The car is exceptionally quiet, handles well and boasts great acceleration but rear seat room is tight if you plan to carpool."

Average paid price: $38,871

Toyota Prius or Prius V:

"These gasoline-electric hybrids set the standard for fuel efficiency in a gasoline-powered vehicle. The Prius seats five in reasonable comfort and is exceptionally efficient for urban commutes where regenerative braking and the ability to turn the gasoline engine off while the car is stopped enhances fuel efficiency."

Average Paid Price:

Toyota Prius: $24,066
Prius V: $26,350

Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI:

"The SportWagen is a wagon style model that uses a diesel engine to deliver smooth acceleration with strong fuel economy. Handling is also precise and predictable. With the option of manual or automatic transmission, these cars are fun to drive, making the longer commutes seem less daunting."

Average paid price: $23,894 

Sedans

Audi A4:

“Beautifully finished and very comfortable in front, the A4 can make light work of any commute. Front-wheel drive is standard, but the option for Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system is available. The ride is firm but compliant and the handling is tops. The body structure feels exceptionally solid, even when facing rough urban pavement. Driving pleasure earns a very high grade, although the rear seat room earns a much lower score.”

Average paid price: $31,697

Buick LaCrosse:

"A steady ride, comfortable seating, responsive handling and an excellent V-6-based drivetrain make this car an ideal choice for commuting in a carpool. Performance is excellent. For buyers seeking the room and comfort of the LaCrosse with more fuel efficiency, a four-cylinder eAssist drivetrain is offered. Consider it a mild hybrid."

Average paid price: $30,727

Ford Fusion:

"Ford's entry in the affordably-priced family sedan arena has been completely redesigned for 2013. The new model features a sleek exterior, an upgraded interior and new drivetrains. The Fusion is now offered with three engines, a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two optional turbocharged four cylinder engines, either 1.6- or 2.0-liters. The 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine produces 240 horsepower, matching the output of many V-6s. This Fusion could easily have passed for a luxury car not too many years ago. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is an option."

Average paid price: $20,038

Hyundai Genesis:

"This V-6-powered sedan is refined, powerful and roomy. The V-6 engine turns in an exemplary performance and the new 8-speed automatic transmission raises the performance level to the point that the optional V-8 is unnecessary. While handling is predictable, the ride does fall a little short of full luxury sedan status."

Average paid price: $33,358

Nissan Altima:

"The redesigned 2013 Altima continues to be a top choice for commuting. It is comfortable for all passengers, performs well and offers several unique safety features, including clever use of the backup camera to provide lane departure and blind spot warnings in some models."

Average paid price: $21,706

Crossovers

Ford Flex: 

"This boxy crossover is hard to beat when looking for room in a vehicle. Buyers will find ample space for passengers or purchases. The ride is quiet and well controlled. The engines are V-6s, with the EcoBoost motor turning in a particularly good performance. Though costly, this EcoBoost engine not only outperforms the base V-6, in AAA testing it also delivered slightly better fuel economy.”

Average paid price: $26,803

Toyota Highlander:

"In the crossover category, this vehicle features a comfortable ride and roomy interior. More impressive are its highway cruising manners and despite its size, ease of maneuvering in traffic. And while this vehicle's size takes a minor toll in handling through sharp bends in the road, add a reputation for dependability and long life and you have a top choice for commuters needing size and passenger capacity."

Average paid price: $27,978

Minivan

Honda Odyssey:

"This roomy minivan is offered in a wide range of models, though even basic versions are well equipped and comfortable. Its size suggests that it is best suited to a less crowded commute venue, but even in an urban setting, the Odyssey is easy to drive. Front and second row seating comfort is quite good. The third row folds easily to from a flat load floor with ample space for a wide range of items."

Average paid price: $27,801

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