Cars for College Students: Why It Matters

It’s that time of year again when parents everywhere are sending their new graduate off to college. If your fledgling college student needs a car, you want one that is safe, budget-friendly, and practical. Scouring the web for the most recommended vehicles based on price and reliability, we’ve compiled a list of the top cars for college students just for you.

top cars for college students Kia Soul

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Kia Soul

Coming in as the car with the highest number of recommendations, the Kia Soul reigns as the best choice for your college student.  The urban utility vehicle can sit five and includes satellite radio and USB audio inputs even in the basic model. Ranked as #1 for best compact cars by U.S. News & World Report, the trendy car offers plenty of space for friends and cargo, with high safety and predicted reliability ratings. Although the fuel economy is not as competitive with 25 city/31 highway, the Kia Soul still leads as a trendy and practical choice for your college student.

top cars for college students

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Honda Fit

This subcompact hatchback offers reliability and economy. With ideal space for 4 passengers, the Fit provides an mpg of 33 city/40 highway. The 2018 Honda Fit boasts the highest fuel economy ratings according to Car and Driver. Folding rear seats means you can fit more inside, like boxes and decorations for that college dorm room. The Fit is considered the practical standard and for around $17,000, you can fit your college student with a dependable and economic vehicle.

top cars for college students

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Toyota Prius

When it comes to fuel economy and a tight budget, the Prius offers a beaming light of hope for cash-strapped college students. Ranked fourth in Hybrid and Electric Cars by U.S. News & World Report, this hybrid offers an astounding mpg of 54 city/50 highway! Coming in standard, the compact car includes a rearview camera, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection.  Also, the hatchback design seems to be perfect for college students desiring more space for friends and moving boxes. The Prius is slow to accelerate which came across as a negative in car reviews, but as nervous parents sending off your fledgling student, you may delight in this fact.

Your Automotive Partners

We’re parents too. We understand you want the safest, most reliable, and most economic vehicle choice for your college student. Fender Mender stands for safety and reliability. These values are ingrained into everything we do, and after 30 years in your neighborhood, you can trust that we have the safety of you and your family in mind.