Best Cars For Students In College

College is a time for hustle where students have a lot of commuting to do and as a result, they often find themselves in need of a car. Whether it’s for commuting to and from campus, or for getting around town on the weekends, a car can be a big help. Most college students take public transport. With so much riding on such a big purchase, it is important to choose wisely when picking out a car for college. In this blog, you will get to know everything: from learning what factors to keep in mind while buying a new car, to narrowing down your options and choosing a car on this list! Here are the best cars for students:

What you need to know before buying a car for college

Choosing the best cars for college can be a tough decision, and so, there are a few things that you need to take into account. Here are the things to keep in mind when choosing a car for college students:

Budget: One of the most important things to consider when choosing a car is your budget. There are a lot of great cars out there but if you can’t afford one, it is not the best option for you. Make sure to consider all the costs associated with owning a car such as fuel, insurance, and maintenance before making your final decision. After doing so, set a fixed price that you don’t want to cross, and check out your options from there. If your decided budget won’t fetch you a new car, always consider buying a pre-owned one.

Usage: Another important consideration is the use of the car. Being a college student, ideally, you’ll want a smaller car that is easy to manoeuvre, because you will mostly be driving in city traffic from your home to college. An automatic would be an additional boon. However, if you’re planning on also doing a lot of long-distance driving to visit your hometown from your hostel or make weekend outings with your friends, you’ll need a car with more space and comfort as well. Thus, consider how you’ll be using your car before narrowing down on choices.

Safety: When choosing a car, safety should be one of your top priorities. While checking the NCAP safety rating will give you a good idea about the car’s safety, you also need to ensure that the car has dual front airbags and ABS. These essential safety features are more than enough for city driving. . Here are some of the Safest Cars sold in India.

Best Cars For Students

Having a car in college means having the freedom to come and go as you please. You won’t have to wait for someone else to give you a ride or deal with public transportation schedules. You’ll be able to hit the road whenever you want! Here is a list of the best cars for students that you can bring home today:

Hatchback Segment:

1. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Turbo Sportz – For city drivers

Priced at Rs 8.02 lakh, the Hyundai i10 is a practical, sporty, and affordable hatchback perfect for those students looking for a car mainly for city commutes with occasional highway runs. Its peppy yet fuel-efficient 1.0-liter turbo petrol engine is a delight to drive and is adequately packed with features such as an 8-inch touchscreen unit. Moreover, the claimed mileage of 20 km per liter is also something to like about this car.

Grand i10 NIOS Turbo Specifications

• Engine: 998 cc
• Transmission: Manual
• Mileage: 20 kmpl
• Airbags: 2
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Hatchback

2. Renault Kwid Climber 1.0 liter AMT – If you want an Automatic

Moving on, we have the Kwid, another small yet practical hatchback with an SUV stance and funky, vibrant exterior. Recently facelifted, the Kwid is a hatchback that offers high functionality and has more or less everything you would be using on a daily basis. The Kwid is one of the cheapest cars in India that gets an automatic, so if an automatic is in your criteria, the Kwid is an ideal choice. For a mere Rs 6.10 lakh, you can get the Kwid’s top-of-the-line Climber 1.0-liter petrol variant coupled with a 5-speed AMT. In a nutshell, the Kwid is a compact, nimble, useful, and economical car that can help you navigate traffic easily.

Kwid Climber 1.0 Specifications

• Engine: 999 cc 
• Transmission: Automatic
• Mileage: 22 kmpl
• Airbags: 2
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Hatchback

3. Tata Tiago XTA AMT – When safety is a priority

Next up on this list of best cars for college students, we have the Tata Tiago. The Tiago is one of the best-selling hatchbacks in India and has achieved considerable success so far. This small hatchback model has a 4-star GNCAP rating, a contemporary exterior design, and a feature-rich cabin with tech like a 7-inch touchscreen, and a Harman sound system to entertain you and your pals! It further features an adequately strong petrol engine that delivers well on both long road trips and short shuttles to your college from your house. What’s more, is that you get an automatic car at a price of Rs 6.75 lakh.

Tiago AMT Specifications

• Engine: 1199 cc 
• Transmission: Automatic
• Mileage: 20.09 kmpl
• Airbags: 2
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Hatchback

4. Hyundai i20 N6 iMT – For enthusiasts

The Hyundai i20 N-line is essentially the sportier counterpart of the regular Hyundai i20. While the price of Rs 10.08 lakh is relatively high, the Hyundai i20 N-line should definitely be on your list if you want a car with sporty looks, a tech-loaded cabin, and a high-revving engine all-in-one car! 

With the N-line version, you get added sporty bits (red inserts here and there on the inside and outside), enabling you to make an easy style statement at college! Moreover, the addition of an electric sunroof, cruise control, and 16-inch alloy wheels go further to increase your street cred and make that lasting first impression.

While it is a relatively expensive car for a college student, the i20 N-line comes loaded with essential safety features like electronic stability control, disc brakes on all wheels, and hill assist control that are missing on the standard i20 Sportz iMT.   

i20 N-Line iMT Specifications

• Engine: 998 cc
• Transmission: Clutchless Manual (IMT)
• Mileage: 20.2 kmpl
• Airbags: 2
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Hatchback

Compact SUV Segment:

1. Nissan Magnite XV Premium Turbo

Launched back in late 2020, the Nissan Magnite is a great choice for students, as it comes with a wealth of amenities and dependable Japanese engineering. It offers great value for the price of Rs 10.37 lakh, as you get the top-of-the-line model which has all the bells and whistles. Furthermore, the Magnite is quite a safe car and boasts a 4-star NCAP rating. In summary, it’s a great option for those students who have a lot of daily running, and also need the car for other miscellaneous uses.

Magnite XV Premium Turbo Specifications

• Engine: 999 cc
• Transmission: Automatic
• Mileage: 17.7  kmpl
• Airbags: 2
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Compact SUV

2. Renault Kiger RXZ Turbo CVT

The Kiger is another compact SUV on this list that provides supreme value for money. For 8.92 lakh, Renault offers you the Kiger with a CVT transmission, which is a boon for hurdling potential stop-and-go traffic jams on your way to college. While an AMT too can help in this case, CVTs are more reliable in the long run and are more fun to drive as well. So is the case with the Kiger, as in this variant you get a zippy 1.0-litre turbo petrol paired with this butter-smooth CVT. Moreover, it is an SUV that has a quirky but an alluring and fluidic design language. The Kiger is an excellent choice for college-goers.

If you are confused between the Kiger and Magnite, check out the comparison done between them

Kiger RXZ Turbo CVT Specifications

• Engine: 999 cc
• Transmission: Automatic
• Mileage: 20.53 kmpl
• Airbags: 4
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Compact SUV

3. Maruti Brezza

Last amongst the compact SUVs is the Maruti Suzuki Brezza. Recently facelifted in mid-2022, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza is a value-for-money option for students that want a relatively new offering. The Brezza offers you an economical way for you to commute, with an ARAI mileage rated at 24.31 kmpl. Further, it has got you covered on the features front with a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Arkamys sound system, and even a sunroof! 

Moreover, it offers you a perfect middle ground between an SUV and a hatchback. You can experience the urban SUV’s stance and character. Its compact size makes, while its SUV attitude and increased ground clearance make it the ideal vehicle for your road excursions with friends. Due to these reasons, the Brezza is an ideal choice for college students!

Brezza Specs:

• Engine: 1497 cc
• Transmission: Manual
• Mileage: 24.31 kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Compact SUV

Sedan Segment:

1. Honda Amaze VX

First car in the sedan segment is the Honda Amaze: a compact sedan with attractive looks, impressive performance, and reliable engines. At a price tag of Rs 9.38 lakh, you can get the VX variant which is extremely value for money, as it strikes the ideal balance between features and affordability. The cabin is filled with accessible buttons and features that give a sense of occasion, while the dashboard is tidy and simple to use. Hence, the car is an optimal choice for those who need a car that sticks to the basics. As a college goer, if you are looking for reliability and performance under the same roof, look no further.

Amaze VX Specifications

• Engine: 1199 cc
• Transmission: Manual
• Mileage: 18.6 kmpl
• Airbags: 2
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Sedan

2. Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Delta

The Ciaz is a midsize sedan from the house of the most popular car brand in India. Offering a longer and sleeker body, with a host of premium features, Ciaz is the car for you if you want something that has a roomy interior for long drives but at the same time want a stylish car. Maruti has managed to strike the right balance between engine performance and fuel economy: the Ciaz provides a combined fuel economy of 20 km per liter thanks to its mild hybrid engine, and also gets decent power output. Further, it features an automatic option in its Delta model for a more premium price. Even safety is taken care of in this Maruti, with features like ABS with EBD and hill-hold assist added.

Ciaz Delta Specifications

• Engine: 1462 cc
• Transmission: Manual
• Mileage: 20 kmpl
• Airbags: 2
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Sedan

Summary

In all, no matter what your budget or lifestyle is, there is a car out there that’s perfect for you. Whether you are looking for a sporty hatchback like the Grand i10 Nios for daily commutes or a compact SUV like Venue for highway rides with your friends. Moreover, college is a time to explore and have fun, so make sure you choose a car that will help you make the most of it!

Which is the latest car for students?

The latest car that a student can buy is the Brezza facelift. It was recently launched in June and got various updates that makes it a fresh and value for money option. 

Can a student buy a car in India?

Yes, a student can buy a car in India. It is a wide decision if you have a lot of to and fro from your place of living to your college campus. 

Which car is best for a college student in India?

There are many cars college students can go for. Some of these options include i10 Nios, Kwid, Brezza, Tiago, i20, Magnite & Kiger

What car do most college students drive?

Most students prefer economical and practical cars such as the i10 Nios, Kwid, Tiago, Brezza & Kiger