Are you looking for good cars for college students? We have a list of 10 quality, but inexpensive cars perfect for those currently matriculating in college.
1. Mazda 2
This hatchback is everything you can expect of a compact car. It has a 1.5 liter engine that churns out power of up to 100 horsepower. The rear seats can even be folded to give it more room for cargo. The Mazda 2 is economical with a gas mileage of 29 miles to the gallon. It’s also affordable at $14,800.
2. Hyundai Elantra
The 2011 version of the Elantra lends for a more fluid look. Aside from the look, the engine also got an upgrade. It now packs a 1.6 liter 148 horsepower engine. This car, like the Mazda 2, does 29 miles to the gallon and costs $14,900. What’s great with Hyundai is that they offer a 5 year or 60,000-mile warranty (whichever comes first) and a 10 year or 100,000-mile Drivetrain warranty.
3. Suzuki SX4
This car is fast—it can go from 0 to 60 miles in only 9 seconds. But this is not what makes the SX4 great for college students. What sets it apart is its affordability. For a car this fast and powerful, the SX4 is a steal at only $14,000. Its gas mileage is lower compared to the other cars in this list, but it’s decent enough at 26 miles per gallon.
4. Kia Soul
College students love the soul because of its customization options. They can choose their Soul with stripes and decals, custom paint jobs, or body kits. Soul owners will also have options on how they want the interiors styled. Like Hyundai, Kia offers a 5 year/60,000 mile basic warranty (with the same warranty for the Drivetrain). The Soul costs $14,000 and its gas mileage is 28 miles per gallon.
5. Toyota Yaris
The Yaris is another subcompact car that made it into our list. Its 1.5 liter engine does slightly better than the Mazda 2 because it can deliver 106 HP (6 more than the Mazda 2). Since the Yaris is manufactured by Toyota, you can expect the level of reliability that’s rivaled by none. This car costs $13,300 and its gas mileage is an impressive 32 miles per gallon.
6. Chevrolet Aveo
The Aveo is one of the more powerful cars in this list. It has a 1.8 liter engine that can produce 135 HP. Chevy offers a 3 year/36,000 mile basic warranty (which is not bad). The Aveo is very competitive at only $12,700 and with a gas mileage of 30 miles per gallon.
7. Kia Rio
If you were impressed with the Aveo, then the Rio will make your mouth drop. It has a 1.6 liter engine that’s capable putting out 138 horsepower. It’s amazing how a car with limited displacement can generate so much horsepower. This car is also priced very competitively at $12,400. It’s also economical, going for 31 miles to the gallon. Take note also of Kia’s industry leading warranty and this car makes for a truly great ride for college students.
8. Smart Fortwo
The Smart car is quaint and can make heads turn whenever you pull over. Its diminutive size is an indication of what it can do. It has a smaller engine compared to the other cars on this list, only 1.0 liters that’s capable of 70 HP. So don’t expect to go drag racing with the Smart fortwo. It’s smart to buy at only $12,700. The smarter reason to get the Fortwo is that this car can go about 36 miles per gallon.
9. Hyundai Accent
The Accent is a workhorse of a car that’s perfect for college students. It’s powerful enough with a 1.6 liter engine with a 138 horsepower. The gas mileage is at 31 MPG. But its advantage lies in its affordability–the Accent is only $10,700.
10. Nissan Versa
The Versa is not as powerful as the Accent, only displacing 109 HP with its 1.6 liter engine. But its Vehicle Dynamic and Traction Control Systems are features that make it unique. It’s also very affordable at only $10,700. The Versa’s gas mileage is 29 MPG.
These good cars for college students are true value for your money. Take your pick with any of them — for sure, you won’t regret your decision.
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