College students don’t have much free time. They manage busy schedules, writing numerous papers, cramming for exams, and taking extracurriculars. A lot of them also have part-time jobs and family obligations. Students simply can’t afford to waste time on long daily commutes in public transport. Thus, owning a car becomes a necessity. Students need the flexibility and autonomy of a private vehicle to get to school, office, and/or volunteering activities.
If you travel off-campus a lot and consider getting a car of your own, this article will show you affordable, safe, and reliable cars for college students.
Kia Forte
The Kia Forte is a budget-friendly compact car. Its MSRP is around $17,890. The model leads several expert review lists for its combination of quality and value for money.
If you’re a parent looking for a car for your college freshman, consider this option as it has stellar safety ratings. It offers features like a reinforced body, driver attention monitor, and brake assist system.
Honda CR-V
If you’re interested in SUVs, the Honda CR-V is a popular model on the market. It’s safe and spacious. Yet, this is the most expensive model on our list. To buy this car, you might need to get a job and save up to be able to make a sizable down payment and avoid the excessive interest rate.
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Ford Ecosport
The Ford Ecosport is for those who are looking for a compact and economical entry-level SUV. Among its key features are power steering, power windows front, anti-lock braking system, automatic climate control, and alloy wheels.
You can find discounts for college students and recent graduates in the Ford College Student Purchase Program. It’s available through Ford Drives U.
Nissan Kicks
If you are looking for a car with a price below $20,000, fuel efficiency, and appealing design, take the Nissan Kicks for a test drive. The safety features of the car aren’t inferior to other models on our list.
It’s one of the best subcompact SUVs on the market with a 122-horsepower 1.6-liter engine. Inside, it has plenty of room for five people and some luggage.
Chevrolet Sonic
You can get the Chevrolet Sonic in a four-door sedan or hatchback form. The model is priced under $17,000. Chevrolet’s discount program is rather diverse. As a student, you can get a good deal.
It’s a small but still safe car. The Driver Confidence Package enhances the safety of the vehicle and assists drivers.
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is a top choice if safety and reliability are your priorities. Its Safety Sense 2.0 comes with features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane centering, and high-beam assist.
The starting price of the Toyota Corolla slightly exceeds $20,000. The model is associated with low maintenance costs, which makes it suitable for a student budget.
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Hyundai Elantra
You might find the new design of the Hyundai Elantra a decisive factor in choosing this car among all of the other options. It is an entry-level SE with all basic technology features.
Its SmartSense suite makes driving comfortable and easy. Standard features include forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless connectivity, and voice recognition.
Mazda3
The Mazda3 is a popular compact car among students. People choose it for excellent handling and high performance. You can get the Mazda3 in a hatchback or sedan form.
The model is among the top safety picks of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It has emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and driver attention alert, among other features. You’ll also like the Mazda Connect infotainment system.
Honda Fit
The Honda Fit is one of the most affordable options. Its price is about $16,190, but you can find cheaper options for used cars.
As for configuration, it is available only as a hatchback. It might be an advantage if you’re looking for more spacious cars. It’s also a direct competitor of the next car on the list, the Toyota Yaris.
Toyota Yaris
The Toyota Yaris is a subcompact car that costs under $16,000. Unlike the Honda Fit, you can find it both in hatchback and sedan forms.
The car has manual six-speed or automatic transmission, steering wheel entertainment controls, lane departure alerts, a pre-collision deterrence system, among other features. The Toyota Yaris also offers a notably robust safety suite.
Conclusion
Car is a big purchase for a college student. Make your choice based on your needs and personality. At the same time, look for a manageable price. You don’t want to add any additional cost burden as you already have to pay for college. Our list can help you find your perfect first car. Of course, the choice is not limited to 10 options, but these cars are worthy of your consideration as they offer reliability and safety for a reasonable price.