College students’ first choice of car: affordable and reliable

College life is filled with commuting. Whether it’s getting to campus, going grocery shopping, or planning a spontaneous weekend trip with friends, it involves a lot of traveling. Many students use public transportation to commute, but it can lack in convenience. Therefore, owning a car will make college life much easier. Here are all the things you need to consider when buying a car.

What should you consider before buying a car?

Budget
Money comes first. Buying a car means more than just the purchase price, it also includes insurance, maintenance, and fuel. Be sure to create a realistic budget and keep these factors in mind.

usage
How do you plan to use the car? Most likely, driving in the city. Then you need a small and compact car. But if you plan to buy a car for long-distance travel, then you should choose a car that is durable, spacious, and comfortable.

Safety
There is no room for compromise when it comes to safety. Check the NCAP safety rating of the vehicle you are considering buying and make sure it comes with dual airbags with ABS setup. Safety is at the top of the list of considerations.

The Best Cars for College Students

Hatchback segment

Hatchbacks are great for daily commuting, especially on city roads. If you plan to buy a car for daily commuting, a hatchback will meet your needs.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios
o Great for city commuting.
o 1.2-litre petrol/CNG engine, 5-speed manual gearbox, range up to 20 km
o 8-inch touchscreen, 6 airbags, ABS with EBD
o Ex-showroom price: Starting from Rs 5.92 lakh.

Renault Kwid Climber
o Compact and practical, with an SUV appearance.
o 1.0-litre petrol engine, automatic gearbox, 2 airbags, range up to 22 km.
o 8-inch touchscreen, 2 airbags
o Ex-showroom price: Starting from Rs 6.32 lakh

Tata Tiago
o A safe and reliable hatchback.
o 1.2-litre petrol/CNG engine, 5-speed manual gearbox, and a range of up to 20 kms.
o 3.5-inch touchscreen display, Harman sound system.
o 2 airbags, ABS with EBD
o Ex-showroom price: Starting from Rs 6 lakh.

Compact SUV Segment

SUVs are attractive, especially among college students. If you want to choose this market segment, compact SUVs are a good choice for commuter vehicles.

Nissan Magnet
o Affordable SUV series vehicles.
o 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with automatic and 5-speed manual transmissions and a range of up to 18 km.
o 8-inch infotainment system, 2 airbags, ABS
o Ex-showroom price: Starting from Rs 6 lakh.

Renault Capgemini
o Stylish and sporty appearance.
o 1.0-litre petrol engine with 5-speed manual and automatic transmissions and a range of up to 18 km.
o 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless charging and smartphone copy capabilities.
o 4 airbags, ABS with EBD
o Ex-showroom price: Starting from Rs. 6 lakh

Maruti Suzuki Brezza
o There are recently updated versions available in the market.
o 1.5-litre petrol engine, 5-speed manual gearbox, with a range of up to 20 kms.
o 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, sunroof, Arkamys sound system.
o 2 airbags, ABS
o Ex-showroom price: Starting from Rs. 8.3 lakh

Then segment

Sedan is classy and if your budget is Rs 10 lakh, you can buy a sedan.

Honda Surprise
o Durable and reliable, 10-year warranty
o 1.2-litre petrol engine, 5-speed manual gearbox, with a range of up to 18 km.
o 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 2 airbags, ABS
o Ex-showroom price: Starting from Rs 7.9 lakh.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Delta
o Stylish, spacious and fuel efficient.
o 1.5-litre petrol engine, 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmission, increased mileage
Up to 20 km.
o 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 2 airbags, ABS with EBD, Hill start assist.
o Ex-showroom price: Starting from Rs. 10 lakh.

Other considerations

Fuel efficiency
Fuel is another factor. Look for cars that offer better mileage to save money in the long run. We have mentioned above a few cars that have a mileage of around 20 km, choose wisely.
o Hyundai Grand i10 Nios
Renaud Quaid
or Maruti Suzuki Brezza
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz

Maintenance costs
Maintenance is part of car ownership. Some cars have lower maintenance costs than others. Hatchbacks have relatively lower maintenance costs. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and Tata Tiago have lower maintenance costs.

Resale value
You won’t stay in college forever. A car with a high resale value can be a wise investment. Brands like Maruti and Honda usually have high resale values.

in conclusion
College life is a great time to explore. Investing in the right car will make it easier, but it must be a wise decision. Depending on your purpose and preferences, you can choose the right car, whether it is a hatchback, sedan or SUV.