Taking off to college can be exciting. It can also be pretty much stressful. While the parent and student are thinking about every requirement, from buying books and getting admitted, the student has to move around during their college time. And as if they aren't stressed enough, they have to dive into the auto market to search for a nice automobile.

Updated April 2022: If you're a student, you may be interested in finding out about affordable cars that won't break down every 200 miles, and that come with proper safety features. First published in 2018, this article lists the best cars for students. These cars are affordable, cheap to maintain, and relatively fun to drive.

Related: These Are The Best Cars For Teens On A Budget In 2022

Whether already in a college or planning to attend soon, finding a nice, reliable, safe, and efficient vehicle is essential. The car has to be affordable as well. Having excellent crash-test results from the IIHS and NHTSA is crucial. Additionally, a modern car with excellent technology such as WiFi and smartphone connectivity is excellent. Students are young and vibrant, so they want to drive exciting cars, not just some boring box on wheels to move them from A to B. If brand news cars are costly and maybe, above budget, the used-car market has some of the most fuel-efficient luxury cars. From subcompact SUVs, trucks, and hatchbacks, these are some of the best automobiles to drive as a student. These cars are safe, efficient, fun to drive, and affordable to acquire.

18 Hyundai Elantra

via Car and Driver

With a starting price of slightly under $20,000, the Hyundai Elantra is one of the best and cheapest news cars available in 2022. The car takes honors with its advanced technology and forward-thinking design. Loaded with excellent features such as large displays and wireless everything, the Hyundai Elantra is built to make any young person look like a boss.

Under these sleek metal sheets lies a base engine that produces only 147 horsepower. But, there is the option of a hybrid and a turbocharged version with 201 horsepower. The Elantra comes with a futuristic cabin with comfortable seats and intuitive controls. From any angle, this is one of the best student cars. And it's also available in the used car market for reasonably cheap prices.

17 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

via Car and Driver

The newest Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback is the 2019 model. And it is an excellent student car. As far as U.S. hatchbacks go, this is about as good as it gets in terms of looks and value. A ground effects package makes the Cruze look fast and agile, and the practical hatchback can fit lots of cargo and friends. The car is peppy, fun to drive, and equipped with superior technology, perfect for students.

It has a turbocharged engine and even a built-in 4G LTE hotspot, which means full-time connectivity to social media. On all accounts, the Cruze is among the best hatchbacks and worth every dollar.

16 Mazda 3 Hatchback

via CarGuide.ph

The Mazda 3 Hatchback is another practical and reliable choice for students. The newest generation is the best looking, but older generations can be found used for less than $10,000. The most recent model years get 28 mpg during city driving and 36 mpg on the highway, which will save students lots of money on gas.

Related: The Best Cars Under $10,000 For Your Teen's First Buy

The hatchback is incredibly fun to drive for a cheap car, which holds true to the philosophy behind Mazda's vehicles. Enter the Mazda 3 hatchback to meet an upscale cabin appointed with high-quality materials and an intuitive infotainment system.

15 Volvo S60

via Car and Driver

The Volvo S60 is an upscale and mature sedan that appeals to many students. At way above $30,000, new models could be costly for students. However, a used S60 is as excellent as new, figuratively speaking, which can be found for under $10,000 and fits perfectly into a student budget.

Volvos are regarded as reliable. The last thing a student wants is to miss a class because their ride broke down or failed to start in the morning. For the record, the S60 is a solid, handsome choice for just about anyone. And it has minimal maintenance costs.

14 Toyota Prius

via pinterest

The Toyota Prius isn't the car of choice for most car enthusiasts, but for students focused on reliability and economy, the Prius is a clear choice. It has the legendary Toyota reliability and will drive until the wheels fall off. That means forever. The Prius returns excellent fuel economy with the hybrid powertrain, which saves quite a lot of money on fuel.

The Prius can also be had for reasonable prices used, making them one of the cheapest options for students. The looks improve as the car ages, and while it may not pull the attention students die to have, the Prius is an excellent choice - practical, economical, and reliable.

13 Chevrolet Spark

via Chevrolet Bahrain

The Chevrolet Spark is a small subcompact car, great value in a small package. Starting off at about $13,000 for a 2022 model, the Spark is one of the cheapest cars available in the US. It gets 29 mpg city and 38 on the highway, which will keep the car moving without filling up often.

It may only have 98 horsepower, but what it lacks in performance, it makes up for in technology offerings. The infotainment system is excellent, and many desirable features come standard that otherwise don’t in subcompacts.

12 Toyota Corolla

via Car and Driver

The newest Toyota Corolla starts at $20,075 and is perhaps the classic college car. Small, cheap, and reliable, it fills just about every need students have. The price keeps climbing to $28,360 for the range-topping model, the XSE Apex Edition.

Related: These Are The Best Performance Cars For Teen Drivers

Standard features include automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. This will keep you safe on the road, and getting to class in one piece is pretty important. It is not one of the most thrilling affordable cars, but the thrills come at a price. If the main goal is to move around effortlessly, the Corolla is the car of choice.

11 Ford Focus Hatchback

via Car and Driver

The Ford Focus hatch is an excellent car, appealing in price and performance. The Focus is fun to drive, agile, and surprisingly maneuverable around town. Rivals may offer more cargo space, but the Ford is perfectly adequate at satisfying student needs. It even has a dual-clutch transmission, which is actually some nice technology to find on cheap cars.

While those with a bit of money in their home banks may opt for the higher-performing ST and RS models, the base Focus is an excellent car. Hatchbacks are a quintessential part of the college experience. It attracts the attention any student desires to have around their rides.

10 Mazda MX-5 Miata

via Car and Driver

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a classic driver's car and is held in high regard by most car enthusiasts. It's cheap, reliable, and easy to work on, and it'll last much longer than many of its rivals. Older Miatas can be found online and in used car yards for just a few thousand dollars. These cars don't consume; they sip fuel, making them the best rides for students with shallow wallets.

There's limited space for friends and cargo, but this means that the car will be spared the wear and have a longer life. And with the appeal of the convertible top, a student driving a Miata is the coolest kid in college.

9 Scion iM

Via The Car Connection

The Scion iM is an innovative entry into the small-hatchback segment, and it delivers immense appeal. It's reasonably priced and has a relaxed and quiet interior that nicely blocks road noise. The cabin provides a calm and silent environment for a smooth ride that won't have occupants shouting to communicate with each other.

One of the main appeals of the iM is its excellent reliability.

Kelly Blue Book notes that this hatchback will also have lower than average ownership costs, which is great for students. The ride may be a bit lacking when it comes to power and handling, but with solid features and sharp looks, the iM is a strong contestant.

8 Scion FRS

via pinterest

The Scion FRS is the modern Miata and is an excellent choice for students. It's a flashy, fun-to-drive car that's reliable, dependable, and fuel-efficient. The FRS is built to take on hard driving and still get excellent fuel mileage results. It features a chassis and engine built to drive that way.

Unlike the Miata, the FRS has a back seat. It is among the best handling cars available and an excellent for anyone, not just students, looking for a sporty daily or a fun handling car. Additionally, the FRS is an excellent playground for modifications.

7 Jeep Wrangler

via Digital Trend

The Jeep Wrangler is the car of choice for students who want to get away every once in a while. The Wrangler's four-wheel-drive capability won't leave a student stranded in class or stuck in a parking lot. It is also an excellent choice vehicle for students in places that get snow. While everyone is stuck in classes because their cars can't move, the Jeep will be having all the fun outdoors.

The Wrangler is reliable and practical and easily fits the driver's and friends' gear with no problem. Ready for adventure? This badass car is great to own. Even better, the Wrangler is an attention magnet.

6 Subaru Impreza Hatchback

via PerformanceDriver

One of the best all-rounders is the Subaru Impreza Hatchback. Its versatile AWD system keeps the car moving confidently in snow or rain. The Impreza is reliable and good on fuel and is classically one of the longest-lasting cars on the road.

The newest version has great looks and an affordable price, but the older generations are still good-looking and can be bought used for very reasonable prices. Low to the ground, the driving experience is enjoyable, which helps to make this car perfect for anyone.

5 Volkswagen Passat

via motoring.com.au

The Passat is excellent for students who are nearly graduating. It is a more grown-up sedan alternative to the Volkswagen Jetta and the perfect vehicle to enter into the corporate world with. It's handsome, refined, and practical—everything that an adult needs from their car.

Its most powerful version makes 280 horsepower, which is a respectable figure. The interior can be pretty lovely, wrapped in attractive two-tone leather. For the money, this is one of the best interiors available, making the Passat an enticing choice for new grads.

4 Mazda CX-5

via Mazda

The Mazda CX-5 is quite pretty, especially in Mazda's brilliant red paint. And the quality interior will make every student and new graduate feel accomplished and confident in facing the job market. Adult responsibilities require people to carry people and cargo, and the space provided by the CX-5 is the perfect practicing ground to prepare a young adult to become an adult.

The car is fun to drive, keeping with Mazda's commitment to providing vehicles that handle well while being easy on the wallet at the same time. This compact crossover feels more expensive than it is, which attracts more attention than it should. Engaging driving dynamics and a great selection of features make it a clear-cut choice for final years and graduates.

3 Subaru Forester XT

via pinterest

Fresh out of college? That means becoming an adult. It also means the need for a larger vehicle. If that's the case, the Subaru Forester XT is an excellent choice t start from. It's spacious, reliable, and capable of handling all the people and junk thrown at it.

In addition to this capability and a tremendous all-wheel-drive system, the Forester XT is fast. It gets to 60 mph in about 6.3 seconds, which is pretty quick for an SUV. It might feel like it's too much for a fresh graduate, but the transition is fast and stylish with the Forester XT.

2 Audi A4

via CarWallpapers.com

The Audi A4 is another excellent car of choice for final year students and fresh graduates heading to the corporate world. The A4 is well designed, good-looking, and sporty. And with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 5.1 seconds, the A4 leaves the rest of the job seekers eating dust on the highway.

And if everything is moving as planned, the spacious backseat will easily hold co-workers or clients. It presents a mature and responsible person in this car. Many technology feature offerings and a beautifully crafted interior drive the appeal of the Audi. For the daring ones, the Audi A4 will perfectly represent you on the track during days off from the office.

1 Lexus IS F

via Lexus Enthusiasts

The Lexus iS F is purely for students who are already making some money while studying or graduates who are already employed or doing well in their businesses. The car comes with a starting price of above $50,000. That's not a car any regular student will buy. Not even a rich parent will just dish out such amounts for college commuting of their daughter or son.

But if it is available, this is the car to rock college parking lots with. A quick-shifting transmission, a roaring exhaust, and an engaging driving experience make it one of the best luxury sports sedans. A 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds eclipses most other cars on the road and shows real power. Lexus reliability and build quality mean that the iS F will be in perfect condition for many years to come. Not many drivers would want to give this great car up.