With the fall semester in full swing, campuses nationwide are filling up with students returning to class. Whether you’re a first-year student or not, choosing the right car for college is essential. Although everyone’s needs are different, a few characteristics make some cars more popular amongst college students than others, such as reliability, fuel efficiency, and affordability. To help you find a new set of wheels, we compiled this list of some of the best car models for college students below $25,000. But first, let’s review some basics of owning a car in college.
Do I Need to Buy a Car for College?
With the significant increase in auto prices over the past few years, buying a car for college may not always be necessary. If your college experience does not require you to have a car, purchasing one will simply lead to additional monthly expenses for fuel, insurance, parking, and general maintenance. And as a college student, every cent counts.
Whether or not you need to buy a car for college will ultimately depend on your situation and campus. Some schools may limit the number of first-year students who can have cars on campus or require hefty parking fees. If you don’t need a car to commute or work, purchasing one for convenience may not be the best option.
Can I Stay on My Parent’s Car Insurance When I’m in College?
Most insurers typically permit full-time college students to stay on a parent’s auto policy as long as their parent’s home is still their permanent address. If you have a vehicle under your parent’s name at school, both you and the vehicle may remain on their policy. However, if the car is in your name, some states may require the name on the registration and insurance policy to match. In such cases, you’ll need to purchase your own policy.
Even if you don’t take a car to college, staying on your parent’s policy is still recommended, especially if you drive their cars often when you’re home. That way, you’ll be covered whenever you visit. This may even make your parents eligible for a student-away discount.
What to Consider When Purchasing a Car for School?
When purchasing a car for college, students should consider several important factors, such as budget, reliability, fuel efficiency, and safety features, to ensure they are making the right choice.
Budget
Your budget as a college student will ultimately determine whether you purchase a new or used car for school, especially if you are purchasing it on your own. When looking at car prices, you must also consider additional expenses after driving off the lot. Insurance, gas, maintenance, and registration fees all add up to the actual cost of ownership, so it’s important to understand these potential costs before committing to a purchase.
Reliability
As a college student, your life can be stressful enough without having to deal with your car breaking down on the side of the road. Choosing a car model known for its reliability will help avoid unnecessary headaches while you focus on your schoolwork. If you are purchasing a used car, check its maintenance history to ensure previous owners have taken good care of it.
Fuel Efficiency
It’s no secret that college can be expensive. Whether due to high tuition costs, not having a full-time job, or a combination of the two, sticking to your budget is highly necessary as a college student. Although your car will be a large purchase, there are ways to limit your overall cost of ownership. As a college student, consider purchasing a car known for its fuel efficiency to save on trips to the pump.
Safety Features
Whether you are a parent purchasing a car for your child or a student purchasing a car on your own, safety features and ratings should always be a top consideration. Once you narrow your choices, visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to view crash test scores of the models you’re interested in.
The Best New Cars for College Students
Now that we’ve reviewed some key factors to consider when purchasing a new car for school, let’s cover some of our top vehicle choices and what makes them great.
1. 2024 Toyota Corolla
Starting MSRP: $22,050
Starting our list of the best cars for college students is the 2024 Toyota Corolla. The Corolla has been a staple among college campuses for its affordability, historical reliability, and host of features.
Equipped with Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0, the 2024 Toyota Corolla includes a suite of driver features that focus on safety, such as pre-collision with pedestrian detection, auto emergency braking, and lane departure warnings, to name a few. Plus, with a combined fuel economy of 35 mpg, the Toyota Corolla is highly fuel efficient.
2. 2024 Nissan Sentra
Starting MSRP: $21,180
With its lower price tag, the 2024 Nissan Sentra is an excellent choice for college students. Featuring “zero gravity” front and rear seas, the Nissan Sentra is as comfortable as it is affordable, so you’ll always have a smooth ride after a long day of classes. And if you’re running late, its 40 mpg on the highway will keep you fueled longer than other less efficient cars on the market. Every Sentra model comes with Nissan’s Safety Shield 360, which includes multiple driver safety features and over ten airbags.
3. 2024 Mazda3
Starting MSRP: $23,950
Classified as a 2024 Top Safety Pick+, the 2024 Mazda3 is a stellar combination of quality performance and engineered safety. Crafted for style and comfort, the interior of the Mazda3 feels much more luxurious than its price tag may reflect. One setback, however, is that the base model does not have blind-spot monitoring. Still, the base Mazda3 does feature other safety features such as forward collision warning and emergency braking.
4. 2024 Kia Soul
Starting MSRP: $20,290
With one of the lowest new starting price tags on our list, the Kia Soul is an affordable option for those looking for a reliable vehicle with plenty of room without sacrificing safety.
Its 35-highway mpg will help you spend more time on the road than at the pump. The 2024 Kia Soul comes with a wide range of safety features and technology, such as lane-keeping assistance and remote keyless entry.
The Best Used Cars for College Students
If a new car is out of your budget, the following models are still a great purchase with the proper research. When purchasing used cars for college students, it is essential to review maintenance and work history to catch any potential problems. Learn more about buying a used car by visiting our blog. We utilized Kelley Blue Book to determine the average price range for the models listed.
1. 2015-2020 Toyota Camry
Price Range: $12,000 to 21,000
For college students looking to purchase a used car, the 2015 to 2020 Camry models offer historical reliability without sacrificing style or tech. Even with the 2015 model approaching its 10-year mark, it’s possible to find one that is still in good shape and has decent mileage. Plus, the 2015 model included a rearview camera as a standard, so you won’t miss out on typical features despite its age.
2. 2016-2020 Honda Civic
Price Range: $10,000 to $21,500
The Honda Civic has long been known as a trustworthy car with lasting resale value. We decided to include the 2016 model, which won Kelley Blue Book’s 2016 Best Buy award in the compact car class due to its great fuel economy and build quality. Although the price tag for a low-mileage model can be slightly higher than that of other used cars, it is typically a safe purchase.
3. 2009-2012 Toyota Rav4
Price Range: $8,500 to $12,000
If you’re looking for a utility vehicle that is still a good value without breaking the bank, an older Toyota Rav4 may be worth considering. Featuring a third row of seats, the 2009 to 2012 Rav4 models offer plenty of room for road trips, moving, and daily commutes despite their compact size. Although these models are older, they are well known for their ability to last with proper maintenance and care.
4. 2016-2018 Subaru Crosstrek
Price Range: $9,000 to $18,000
With a 5-star NHTSA safety rating, the 2016-2018 Subaru Crosstrek is an excellent purchase for those wanting an SUV that is easy to handle and has good fuel efficiency. Known for its standard all-wheel drive, the Crosstrek can be reliable in various weather conditions. And with its tall ground clearance, it’s also perfect for the weekend adventurer.
Don’t Forget About Car Insurance for College Students
Before purchasing cars for college students, it’s important to compare auto insurance quotes ahead of time to understand your total cost of ownership. At AIS, we have over 55 years of experience helping customers find and secure reliable car insurance. Whether you’re a college student or a student’s parents, our insurance specialists can help you navigate the insurance market and find college student car insurance with one of our trusted partners. To get covered, start a free quote online or call us at (888) 772-4247.
The information in this article is obtained from various sources and is offered for educational purposes. Furthermore, it should not replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.
