Students may have mixed opinions about buying a car. Some may desire superior performance and features, while others may look for a fuel-efficient vehicle. Whether students pay for the car themselves or their parents offer a down payment, the budget is usually limited. That’s why aspiring high school student drivers must pick from the top-rated budget cars in the market. The good news is that there are many options available in this segment.
Hyundai Kona
Student drivers searching for an affordable new car, which is also rich in modern technology, could add the Hyundai Kona to their comparison list. One can get many features from the base model, including a 12.3-inch touchscreen, along with assistive driver safety tech like a system to warn the driver about potential collisions, lane deviations, and blind spots. The Hyundai Kona also sports a roomy and comfortable cabin on the inside. Under the hood, buyers can enjoy its base 147 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which is powerful enough for city commutes and highway tours. The crossover starts from $24,000.
Toyota Corolla Hybrid
One of the top budget-friendly cars for college students, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid comes with low maintenance costs and reliability. A notable feature of this vehicle is Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0, which includes multiple safety features like lane-keep assist, automatic braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. With a fuel economy estimate of 53 mpg in the city, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid is also ideal for students with limited budgets looking for a fuel-efficient car. It has a starting price of about $23,000.
Kia Forte
The compact sedan is a cheap and reliable car for student drivers and offers everything they need in a vehicle. While the new Forte is no longer offered by Kia, students on a budget could look into certified used car options on Kia’s official website or across third-party sellers. For instance, one could find the top trims of the Kia Forte for under $10,000. At the price, one can expect about 25 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, an automatic transmission, and the relevant safety and infotainment technology.
Nissan Sentra
More than enough cargo space, comfortable seats, and a suite of standard driver-assistance features are some of the highlights of the Nissan Sentra. Depending on the trim students go for, they could expect to pay anywhere between $22,000 and over $25,000 for the car. The Nissan Sentra is equipped with a 149 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which pairs continuously with variable automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The engine setup nurtures exceptional fuel economy, so one can expect about 40 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg in city traffic. Nissan also impresses on the infotainment front, with a 7.0-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the base model. The higher trims are equipped with an 8.0-inch screen, which is compatible with premium elements like an eight-speaker Bose stereo, Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio.
Chevrolet Trax
Starting at about $20,000, the Chevrolet Trax is one of the most reliable cars for students on a budget. The compact SUV has spacious interiors with tuning that offers a smooth driving experience. Its powertrain consists of a 137 hp turbocharged 1.2-liter inline-three cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. The base model boasts a standard 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, while an 11.0-inch infotainment touchscreen sits on the advanced trims.
Toyota Prius
A new Toyota Prius starts at about $28,000. While this is affordable, students on a budget can always look for used car options priced under $10,000. At this price, one can get the most value for money as a used Toyota Prius should check all the mandatory boxes, including safety, fuel economy, reliability, and cargo capacity. It also impresses on the performance front with its 2.0-liter four-cylinder Hybrid Engine Front-Wheel Drive. This can churn out about 150 hp and torque of up to 139 lb-ft at 6000 rpm.
Mazda CX-30
Students interested in an affordable crossover SUV can consider the Mazda CX-30. One can expect premium styling and interior quality while the car maintains a sporty persona. The Mazda CX-30 features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating about 191 hp, which is great for students who’d like some power on the road. The component pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission that can shift gears smoothly in various driving conditions. Plus, a five-star NHTSA overall safety rating can assure buyers of superior protection on the road. The Mazda CX-30’s price starts from $25,000.
Honda Civic
Students interested in a sporty sedan could explore the features of the Honda Civic. Its base trim has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission. This combination can generate about 150 hp and up to 133 lb-ft of torque. The under-the-hood component also boasts impressive fuel economy of up to 27 mpg in the city and about 37 mpg on the highway. The base Honda Civic trim also comes equipped with a 9.0-inch touchscreen with much-needed physical buttons, and there’s even a standard 12-speaker Bose audio system to deliver a premium sound experience.
