What Cars Should Students Drive?

September 3, 2024

You want your child away at university or college to be safe in the car they’re driving. How do you choose a car for a student away from home or travelling from home to high school daily?

Safety, reliability, and affordability are your top priorities when choosing a car for your student.

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What cars should students drive? These cars are recommended for students:

1. Honda Civic: Known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and affordability, the Honda Civic is a popular choice for students. It also has a strong safety record and holds its value well over time.
2. Toyota Corolla: Another reliable and fuel-efficient vehicle, the Toyota Corolla is budget-friendly and has a reputation for low maintenance costs. It's also equipped with good safety features.
3. Mazda3: The Mazda3 is a stylish and fun-to-drive option that doesn’t compromise reliability or safety. It’s also known for its good fuel economy.
4. Hyundai Elantra: The Hyundai Elantra is a compact car with a lot of value for the price, offering good safety features, a comfortable interior, and a solid warranty.
5. Ford Fiesta: The Ford Fiesta is a small, affordable car that’s easy to drive and park. It’s also fuel-efficient, making it a good choice for students on a budget.
6. Kia Soul: The Kia Soul offers a unique style, spacious interior, and good safety ratings. It’s also reasonably priced and comes with a long warranty.
7. Subaru Impreza: If all-wheel drive is important, the Subaru Impreza is a great option. It’s known for its safety features, reliability, and is also one of the few compact cars with standard all-wheel drive.

How to get the right car insurance for your student

1. Look for student discounts: Some insurance companies offer discounts for students with good grades, typically requiring a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
2. Compare quotes: Shop around and compare quotes from multiple insurance providers to find the best rate. Using online comparison tools can save time and money.
3. Consider a higher deductible: Opting for a higher deductible can lower your monthly premium. Just make sure you have enough savings to cover the deductible if needed.
4. Add to parents’ policy: If possible, adding the student’s car to a parent’s insurance policy can be more affordable than getting a separate policy.
5. Drive a safe, reliable car: Insurance costs can be lower for cars that are known for their safety and reliability. Cars with high safety ratings typically have lower insurance premiums.
6. Limit coverage: If the car is older and not worth much, consider dropping comprehensive and collision coverage to save on insurance costs.
7. Have a clean driving record: Avoiding tickets and accidents will help keep insurance premiums low. Encourage safe driving habits to prevent costly incidents.

Choosing the right car and insurance plan can make a significant difference in both safety and affordability for students.

Ask your Western Coast car insurance expert about any discounts for your car insurance. You can save by bundling your home and car insurance.