As the holidays are upon us, students and their parents are back together spending quality time. But after a winter break filled with good memories, soon students will be back in class. As the temperature drops and snow becomes more common throughout Canada, students and their parents are starting to consider the transportation needs of getting to school, home, and back again. Perhaps you can spread some holiday cheer in the form of a new car?
Top 10 Best Cars for Students Going Back to School
To help students and parents narrow down their choices, U.S.-based Kelley Blue Book (KBB) announced their picks for the 2019 10 Best Back-to-School Cars. These are cars that KBB says are affordable (a plus for parents) but are also appealing to students.
Safety is important, too. Where applicable, we’ve identified the vehicles that have won a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS awards these designations based on how well different vehicles protect occupants in a crash. We’ve also identified vehicles on the KBB list that are recommended by Consumer Reports for their overall performance, reliability, and safety.
The 2019 Rankings
- Toyota Corolla Hatchback - $20,980 - Top Safety Pick (when equipped with specific headlights) - Recommended by Consumer Reports
- Kia Soul - $21,195 - Top Safety Pick+ (when equipped with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
- Honda Civic - $18,390 - Recommended by Consumer Reports
- Mazda Mazda 3 - $18,000 - Top Safety Pick (when equipped with optional front crash prevention) - Recommended by Consumer Reports
- Volkswagen Jetta - $20,995
- Honda Fit - $17,085 - Recommended by Consumer Reports
- Hyundai Kona - $20,100 - Top Safety Pick+ (when equipped with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
- Honda HR-V - $20,820 - Top Safety Pick (when equipped with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
- Subaru Impreza - $18,695 - Top Safety Pick+ (when equipped with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
- Nissan Kicks - $18,298 - Top Safety Pick (when equipped with specific headlights)
Tips for Buying a New Car
Do Your Research: Take the time to read customer ratings and test drive multiple cars. Putting in the extra effort will pay off down the road. Don't give in to emotion and rush into buying the first car that appeals to you.
Determine Overall Cost: Once you've narrowed down your options, make sure to research expected maintenance costs. You'll also want to consider any optional features, especially safety options like front crash prevention.
Consider Certified Pre-Owned: If you're thinking about buying a used car, look at certified pre-owned vehicles, which pass a multi-point inspection and contain extended warranties. These cars can be a little more expensive than a standard used car, but the extra assurances can make up for the difference.
Get an A+ on Savings Before School Starts Back Up
Before buying a new (or used) car, compare car insurance quotes to make sure you find the best deal for you. The cost of car insurance varies considerably between vehicle make and insurer and failing to compare rates could end up costing you hundreds of dollars more in insurance premiums. Don’t fail to save; compare auto insurance rates today at InsuranceHotline.com.
Updated annually.
