Having a car is often a necessity for college students. It is a comfortable way of transportation whether you need to get somewhere quickly or bring a pile of laundry to your parents on the weekend. If you are in the market for a good and reliable car, in this guide, you’ll find tips on how to choose it and a list of the top models for students.
What to Look for in a Student Car
Several important factors will influence the decision on what vehicle to go for. The first one is, of course, budget. A lot of students have limited funds, which can be tricky. College is expensive, and if you add textbooks, accommodation, supplies, and academic sources, disbursements can pile up quickly.
So it might be reasonable to go for a more budget-friendly vehicle to not put yourself in more debt. And there are other things students might need to spend saved money on. For example, a lot of college-goers struggle with academic writing as it requires advanced skills. So they opt for the assistance of professional platforms like WritePaper that help with all types of college papers. This service offers writing, editing, and proofreading on demand to make sure your paper is polished to excellence.
And it is a great way to collaborate with experienced writers and learn from them. Some might lack time, others might need expert guidance. In any case, this is a valid option to get immediate help. It is also a reasonable investment as you get more time and good grades simultaneously.
After all, success in college depends hugely on prioritization and resource management. This goes for the choice of vehicle as well. With a limited budget, one might have to make compromises with what they need most at the moment in a vehicle.
Other important factors to look for in a car for students:
- Safety. One can read through reports or look at crash-test scores from the Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is something you should not compromise on;
- Price and financing options;
- Basic features and additional upgrades available;
- The cost of insurance;
- Efficiency ratings.
In many cases, going for a used car is one of the most financially reasonable choices for students. For many, buying a new car can be just unattainable. If you are looking for a used vehicle, always check the mileage, accident history, safety features, and fuel economy. And often the case, you might find a good option that has been used only for a couple of years and is in great condition.
Top Cars for Students
Based on customer reports, crash tests, prices, and performance, this list of the best vehicles for students was complete. Here are some amazing cars to consider investing money in.
The Jeep Wrangler
This is a good choice for students as it is reliable, safe, and durable. It works well for navigating campus, going long distances, and traveling. Those who like to explore the country or go on a trip with friends will also love it.
So students can have a weekend on a beach or go for a spring break on their own. It is great on off-roads, has a lot of customization options, and can be equipped with a diesel engine. The top and the doors are removable. It comes with smartphone integration and a bunch of charging ports.
There are some downsides to this vehicle as well – the cargo space is limited compared to some traditional SUVs, and the highway speed can produce a decent amount of noise. The interior is not as comfortable as some other models, yet it might be a matter of preference.
Mazda 3
This is another practical and stylish choice for a student. Mazda is known for its great performance, slick looks, and a decent amount of space. At the same time, it is more compact and can be parked anywhere on the campus. It is also reliable, safe, and fuel-efficient.
It can host up to 5 passengers, which is great for group trips or family time. And it has an option for manual transmission. It comes with a bunch of possible upgrades, including intuitive infotainment technology.
Among other advantages are excellent interior materials and fast acceleration. One of the downsides is that the sedan model has a relatively small cargo area.
Honda CR-V
This is a traditional SUV with good cargo capacity, a comfortable interior, and good gas mileage. The car is roomy in terms of seats, which is also nice. You can put the gear in the back and get around with 4 friends. This one is good for traveling through snow or slippery roads.
There are also several important safety features like lane-departure warnings, automatic high-beam headlights, and adaptive cruise control. It is easy to drive around and is one of the best when it comes to compact SUVs out there. However, the infotainment controls can be a bit inconvenient. And the basic features are often limited; a lot of advanced ones are available as upgrades.
But overall, it is stylish, spacious, and energizing, which makes it a decent competitor.
Hyundai i10
This is one of the best small cars of today. It is easy to drive, has a lot of great features, and has a 1.0-liter engine as a basic model. It is stylish, goes well with city infrastructure, and is easy to park anywhere. It is compact and works well even with narrow parking spaces.
The interior is pretty comfortable and has an easy-to-use infotainment system. The downside is that the entry-level engine is not ideal, and it is better to go for an upgrade from the start if you are going to travel on highways regularly. But it has light steering and an automatic gearbox with 5 gears. The safety features include a hill start assist, cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane assist.
Volkswagen Polo
This is another small vehicle perfect for city driving. Despite the compact size, it is pretty spacious, reliable, and well-designed. It is created for the long run, so it is a good investment. Also, Euro NCAP gave it a 5-star rating.
It has a comfortable interior. The car is also easy to drive, and it has enough boot space. At the same time, the entry-level engine might not be enough for everyone. Some of the upgrade features can be costly too.
It is a good and affordable vehicle for everyday use. But it might not be as exciting as some of the stylish models out there. Also, the basic model comes with a digital instrument display and infotainment touchscreen. It has LED headlights, cruise control, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, which is quite rare for an entry-level car. And it is one of the safest cars one can buy for a driver.
In Summary
Whether you are buying a used or a new car, it is important to consider the most essential features. This includes fuel efficiency, safety, performance, and relevance to your lifestyle. If you are an avid adventurer, an SUV might be a great option. If you live in a dense city, a smaller vehicle might be much more reasonable.