Top 5 Cars For Students

5 of the most popular student cars

September is approaching and for some of you reading this, the most exciting time of your life is about to begin – starting university. Although some might say running a car on a student loan is impossible, some people just can’t live without one!

Below is a shortlist of just some of the most popular student cars that won’t break the bank.

Hyundai i10

The Hyundai i10 offers unbelievable value for money. It’s easy to drive, cheap to run, and even incorporates reasonable tech for the price. One of the most appealing things about the i10 is that it comes with a five-year warranty, so you’ll never have to worry about your car failing a test. You could even avoid the cost of an MOT if you lease the car for three years or less.

One major draw of the i10 is that it’s better looking than most starter cars. There’s an option to have a contrasting roof colour to jazz up the exterior. Inside boasts a decent amount of space compared to most smaller cars, as well as plenty of standard kit. Hyundai is renowned for making reliable cars, so you will likely mitigate any costly repair work with this motor.

Skoda Citigo

One thing students struggle with more than anything is paying costly insurance rates for young drivers. If premiums are proving difficult, look no further than Skoda’s smallest car, the Citigo. The most basic version of this car falls into the lowest insurance group possible.

The Citigo is tiny, so it’s great for squeezing into small gaps when you’re parking up and navigating through other cars on the road. Despite its size, the car still feels smooth to drive, much better than some of its rivals, and copes well on the motorway too.

The most insurance-friendly model comes with a 59bhp engine, but if your budget allows and you plan to load up with passengers, you might consider stretching to a turbocharged engine.

Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta holds the title of the most popular car in Britain and that is no coincidence. It’s comfortable, well-equipped, good value for money and is actually a lot of fun to drive. If you’re a student who really enjoys a road trip, this is the choice for you.

For students, it’s best to avoid sportier versions of the Fiesta, in favour of efficient, eco-friendly models. If you’re willing to shop around, you can find models that come with really affordable tax rates and even some that are tax free. Fiestas are super economic, some even getting over 80mpg if you’re willing to pay a little extra.

Citroen C1

Citroen’s smallest model has the draw of being one of the cheapest cars on the market. Not only are C1s reasonable to finance or buy outright, they are also cheap to run and insure. The brand even offers a ‘Simply Drive’ package, covering road tax, servicing and insurance for the first three years of ownership. This does also include having a black box fitted for drivers under 21, which may be a drawback for some, but it is hardly intrusive.

As well as all of these perks, the C1 is a fun car to drive and comes well-equipped even at the entry level. The 1.0 litre engine can manage 52mpg when driven economically. Overall, this car aims to please – and succeeds – with its charming looks and low running costs.

Vauxhall Corsa

There are several good reasons why the Vauxhall Corsa is Britain’s most popular first car. Corsas are easy to drive, reliable and cheap to buy, hence so many hire car companies and driving schools buying them. They also have the look and feel of a sensible, more upmarket car. By far the biggest appeal of a Corsa however, is the value for money it offers – a new Corsa can be bought for reasonable monthly payments. It may not drive quite like some of its competitors (the Ford Fiesta and VW Golf), but it comes close and for the difference in price, you can’t really complain.

Although Corsa drivers have a reputation for being boy racers, the newest models are actually packed with state-of-the-art safety features. The latest Corsa also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so there’s no need to scramble for the AUX cable every time you want to play tunes.

If you’re interested in one of the cars listed above and are on the lookout for affordable car finance with no deposit, look no further than CarFinanceGenie. We offer straightforward, hassle-free routes to cheap car finance.