10 Best Rides for College Students

When looking for the best rides for college students to take to school with them, you’ll want to choose a vehicle that makes them happy to get in and drive.

Your student might understand that you don’t have a lot of money to spend on a car, but you still want to send them off to college with a vehicle they will enjoy driving. College students might not have a lot of spending money, which means you should consider some affordable, efficient, and versatile vehicles that can fit everywhere. Here are ten vehicles that could fit your budget and make your student happy.

Subaru Outback

We’re starting the list with one of the most expensive options for students. If you’ve got a little extra to spend on the Subaru Outback, it can be a great option. This SUV comes with a standard symmetrical AWD, lots of room for cargo and passengers, and a decent tow rating. The AWD system will be the most useful aspect of this SUV, especially if your student is going to school somewhere that presents them with lots of rain and snow during the school year. There’s more than enough room for your offspring to bring all of their clothes home to be washed during winter break.

Mazda3

The Mazda3 fits more of the typical feeling and personality we associate with the best rides for college students. This small car is stylish and easy to admire while also being efficient and affordable. Your student will love the peppy engine that delivers plenty of power out on the road. You’ll be glad to know they have a safe car to drive that can be equipped with AWD. This is a car that has something for everyone.

Ford Maverick

The Ford Maverick is one of the most affordable trucks in the market, and it comes with a standard hybrid four-cylinder engine that allows it to be one of the most efficient. The bed is big enough for your student to move things around or enjoy a party at the lake on the weekends. This small truck is the right size for students to enjoy a great drive and for you to offer them a nice, new, and affordable truck.

Toyota Camry

The practicality of the Toyota Camry makes it one of the best rides for college students to enjoy. This car has been at the top of the list in the midsize sedan market for several decades, and it continues to dominate the class. The four-cylinder engine offers more than enough power for your student, and the Camry offers comfortable seating for five people. There’s a 15-cubic-foot trunk, which is more than large enough for your student to bring their laundry home for that special parental touch during their school breaks.

Kia Forte

One of the most affordable small cars that can be ideal for your student to take to college is the Kia Forte. This car is attractive while being small and efficient. Your student can feel confident parking this tiny sedan anywhere on the campus. The Forte has a standard engine that offers 147 horsepower, while the GT model increases power to 201 ponies. Can your student drive a stick? If so, choose the GT with the six-speed manual and let them have a fun and active little Kia Forte to drive.

Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson has won several awards, and it offers the right size and look to be one of the best rides for college students. The Tucson offers a comfortable and spacious cabin, a generous cargo area, and the option of AWD. This compact crossover is easy to park, efficient to drive, and it comes with the most modern safety tech in the market, giving your student the alerts and warnings desired. Give yourself peace of mind with this Tucson that your student can drive to and from college.

Honda CR-V

It should come as no surprise that the Honda CR-V lands on our list. This compact crossover SUV is one of the most popular options in the market. For the 2023 model year, this Honda has either a turbocharged powertrain or a hybrid model. Find the right trim for your college student to have the vehicle you want them to drive in this efficient and affordable Honda SUV. This is the ideal vehicle for students to bring guests and their stuff back and forth from campus.

Toyota Corolla

When you visit the college campus with your student, you’ll notice several versions of the Toyota Corolla driving around campus. This car is one of the most popular rides for college students. The Corolla is offered as either a hatchback or sedan, and it comes with efficient engines that can make driving easy and affordable. Your student will be glad to have a car that’s easy to maintain and drive when they head to campus with all of the other young drivers at the school.

Hyundai Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz is a compact truck that seats five and offers the versatility most students are looking for. There’s plenty of room in the bed for stuff, and this truck offers a smooth and comfortable ride. The Santa Cruz is built on the same platform as the Tucson, giving your student an efficient engine that makes it easy to pay for gas and keep on going. Will your student bring some stuff home during the holiday break? This Hyundai pickup truck makes it easy for them.

Honda Accord

If you want to give your student a sporty midsize sedan that’s great to drive, the Honda Accord can be the right choice. This car has won several awards and is one of the best rides for college students to enjoy driving wherever they need to go. There are two powertrains offered to give the Accord the performance and fuel economy desired. Your student can take their friends out for some fun, bring home stuff from college during breaks, and easily park wherever they need to.

Choose one of these ten vehicles and let your student have one of the best rides for college students while they’re away at school. This is a wonderful way to send them off with a car they can use for many years.