Student & Budget

More About the Student & Budget Driver

The College Student needs a car that starts every morning, sips gas on a student budget, survives campus parking lots, and doesn't require a co-signer's salary to insure. The Honda Civic is the answer to almost every question a college student can ask: bulletproof reliability, excellent fuel economy, low insurance costs, and it'll still be running when you pay off your student loans. The Toyota Corolla is the other obvious pick - the most proven nameplate in the world with maintenance costs that are practically nonexistent.

The Hyundai Elantra brings more standard tech than either at a lower price point, with that confidence-building 10-year warranty. The Mazda3 is for the college student who actually enjoys driving - premium feel without the premium price. The Honda Fit, if you can find a used one, is the space-wizard of the class with a cavernous interior in a tiny package.

The Kia Forte and Nissan Sentra round out the budget-friendly options with competitive features and low ownership costs. The Subaru Impreza adds AWD for the student at a northern school dealing with winter. Ramen budget, reliable ride - that's the college formula.