Best Cars For College Students – If you’re a student on a budget shopping for a car, issues like fuel efficiency, dependability, and affordable maintenance expenses are likely crucial to you. You could be looking for something with flair in addition to the money-saving necessities, particularly if you expect to use the car for some time after graduation to attend interviews.
You could also have preferences for the car’s size regarding the distances involved. For example, you may prefer a small, maneuverable car if you live in the city. We’ll go through the top 13 best cars for students to help you find the perfect car for you.
What to Look For When Purchasing A Student-Friendly Car
Many used cars have low prices and low operating costs, making them appealing to college students. While the car’s price and fuel efficiency will influence whether it is a financially realistic alternative, there are additional factors to consider before determining which student car is best for you.
Options For Funding
If you’re a student on a tight budget, you may not be able to purchase a new car. Instead, you’ll need to look into used car finance alternatives. Try to put down as much money as possible since the balance of the vehicle’s cost will be stretched over many years, with interest accruing.
Ratings Of Efficacy
A car’s efficacy rating measures the entire efficacy of converting gasoline into energy. For students, this is crucial since the more significant the efficiency rating, the less money they will spend on the petrol pump.
Higher ratings may be distinguished from lower ratings by looking at the fuel economy and the number of litres required to go 100 kilometres. Cars with a fuel economy of roughly 10 litres per 100 kilometres are regarded as decent, while anything under 5 litres per 100 kilometres is considered exceptional.
Features and Ratings for Safety
Every year, new vehicles with new safety features hit the market. For example, lane drift detection technology and sophisticated emergency braking systems are two examples of life-saving safety measures. As a student on a budget, these features are usually only available on newer models, which may appear out of your price range.
However, these characteristics penetrate the used vehicle market over months and years. You may save money by searching for the finest safety features and ratings at a reasonable price.
Size And Manoeuvrability
You’ll probably benefit from driving a smaller car, such as a compact Honda, if you attend a city-based university due to busy roads and limited parking. Suppose you go to a remote college and travel there on exposed roads. You may want to consider a somewhat bigger and heavier car that can withstand the more difficult winter road conditions.
Best Cars For college Students in 2022
1. Toyota Corolla
Given the bad condition of most of our roads, the Toyota Corolla model is recognized for its stiffness, which is one of the criteria anybody purchasing a vehicle in Nigeria should consider. More significantly, the Corolla has a shockingly low fuel usage. If nothing else, the low cost of petrol is one reason why you should purchase a Toyota Corolla as a student in Nigeria. Toyota Corolla automobiles are also small and stylish, making them ideal for students looking for a stylish vehicle.
The cost of a used Toyota Corolla in the United Kingdom or the United States may range from 2 million naira to over 2 million naira, depending on the year of manufacture, speed limit, and other features.
2. Kia Rio
The Kia Rio is another best vehicle for Nigerian students for those seeking the ideal alternatives. Since November 1999, the Kia Rio has been a subcompact automobile built by the South Korean manufacturer Kia, and it is presently in its fourth generation.
Kia Rio is an excellent choice for Nigerian students because of its affordability. Many people are unaware that this car is also quite tough. So there’s no need to be concerned about it being able to match the Nigerian roadways. Kia Rio is manufactured by Kia Motors Corporation, a South Korean multinational automaker based in Seoul.
3. Volkswagen Golf 4
The Volkswagen Golf 4 is a small car that is the successor of the Volkswagen Golf Mk3. It is the fourth generation of the Volkswagen Golf. Apart from being very tough, the Golf 4 has a high resale and used-car value, which is an extra benefit for students looking to sell their vehicle.
This automobile is one of Nigeria’s most underappreciated vehicles. This vehicle will appeal to students not only because of its ruggedness but also its affordable price. If you have between 2 million and 2.2 million naira, you should be able to acquire a very good used Golf 4 that will serve you.
4. Honda Accord
Honda is another excellent brand that is well-suited to Nigerian roads, which is why the brand is so popular here. The Honda Accord is your best choice if you’re a student seeking a vehicle that’s both sleek and trendy at a sensible and cheap price.The car is popular with both the wealthy and ordinary Nigerians. Therefore it falls midway in the centre.
Honda is a fantastic choice for vehicle parts availability and price. Furthermore, the car brand is quite simple for a student to maintain. It’s also economical to run. It varies depending on the model, year, and other factors. From N2.5 million upwards, you should be able to find an excellent used Honda in the United States or the United Kingdom that will serve you well.
5. Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is one of Nigeria’s favourite cars in cost, durability, and utility. The Honda Civic is an excellent choice for a student who needs to commute to and from university and perhaps a few other locations.
The vehicle is not as spacious as some of the other cars on our list, but it is ideal for a student, especially if you need to assist one or two students on occasion. Honda civic automobiles are small, yet they are pretty dependable. So, if you’re a student searching for a car to get you up and down, the Honda Civic is a great option.
The cost of a Honda Civic varies depending on the model, year of manufacturing, and other considerations such as how well-kept and maintained it is. However, if you have at least 2 million naira, you should be able to drive a Honda civic home.
6. Toyota Matrix
The Toyota Matrix is another excellent vehicle for students in Nigeria. This one will undoubtedly appeal to female students. This automobile can readily fit into any situation, apart from your typical college trip. The Matrix is a vehicle that you could park next to a high-end car brand and not feel embarrassed about it.
The cost of a Toyota Matix varies depending on the model, year of manufacturing, and other considerations such as how well-kept it is. However, if you have at least 2.5 million naira, you should be able to drive a Toyota matrix home.
7. A4 Audi
The Audi A4 is ideal for a student who needs a compact car to go about school and accomplish other things. The Audi A4 is offered in two body styles: sedan and station wagon. The A4’s second and third editions offered a convertible model in the past.
Audi split off the convertible with a new coupé and 5-door liftback model into a different moniker named the Audi A5 for the fourth generation and onwards. Because of its affordability, ease of maintenance, and durability, the Audi A4 is ideal for students. You may acquire a moderately used Audi A4 if you can raise it to N2.5 million naira and higher.
8. Nissan Primera
Nissan Primera is a car manufactured by Nissan. It’s a beautiful option for a student wanting to purchase a car in Nigeria. The automobile is reasonably priced and well-suited to the Nigerian road system.
The Nissan Primera is straightforward to maintain and seldom develops problems. A Nissan Primera is a beautiful alternative for students who do not have a large budget for a vehicle. You may get a beautiful Nissan Primera utility car for 2 million naira and beyond.
9. Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra, sometimes known as the Hyundai Avante, is a compact automobile manufactured by Hyundai since 1990. It’s one of the most popular brands on a normal Nigerian highway these days.
The Hyundai Elentra is well-suited to Nigerian consumers in terms of functionality and cost. If you want to drive a brand-new automobile, purchasing a new Mercedes or Toyota may be out of your price range, but getting a brand-new Hyundai vehicle is much more affordable.
10. Volkswagen Golf 5
The Volkswagen Golf Mk5 is a small compact car with superior strength; the Golf 5 has a high resale and used-car value, which is extra for students looking to update their vehicle.
This car is one of the best for students on the market in Nigeria. This vehicle will appeal to students not only because of its ruggedness but also its affordable price. You should be able to purchase a Golf 5 if you have at least 2.8 million naira.
Conclusion
Going away to college may be both exhilarating and overwhelming. You have to worry about getting about in addition to enrolling for courses, moving in, and purchasing books. Finding the ideal car may be a time-consuming effort on top of everything else. We’ve saved you the stress of searching endlessly for an affordable ride.