The 5 Best Cars for College Students for Under $25,000

Every college student wants a cool car for college. However, the best college cars are the ones which you get the most for the least money. Which car is best for you depends on what factors are most important to you: fuel efficiency, space, safety, etc. These are the best cars for the money for five different features, all around $20,000.

The Coolest Car for the Money:

2010 Ford Mustang V6

18/26 mpg city/highway

$21,395 starting

The Mustang has been a favorite of college students for years. The Ford Mustang is the cheapest muscle car on the market, and the Mustang is made by a reliable car company. The Ford Mustang has an impressive 4.0-liter V6 engine that handles well and yet still has all five star safety ratings in government crash tests. The Ford Mustang does, however, cost more than many budget cars for college students, as well as having higher insurance costs.

The Funnest Car for the Money:

2010 Volkswagon Beetle

20/29 mpg city/highway

$18,690 starting

The Volkswagon Beetle is a cute car known for its unique shape that is popular among college students. The Volkswagon Beetle is a small car with a 2.5-liter I5 engine, so while peppy, the Beetle is not a performance car. The Beetle is mainly loved for its retro looks and space and performance is sacrificed. However, if the Volkswagon Beetle's style is what you want, there is no substitution. The Volkswagon Beetle is comparably priced to similar cars such as the Mini Cooper, so it is not very expensive.

The Safest Car for the Money:

2010 Honda Fit

27/33 mpg city/highway

$14,900 starting

The Honda Fit is a popular new hatchback with good government crash test safety ratings. The Honda Fit has received five stars in front end crash safety for both drive and passenger and in driver side collisions, and the Honda Fit received four stars for passenger side collisions and for rollover safety, which, according to U.S. News and World Report, means it only has a 12 percent chance rolling over in a collision. The Honda Fit has only a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, so it is not a sport car, but it has large cargo space and a price tag of under $15,000, which is good for college students.

The Most Space for the Money:

2010 Kia Sportage I4 2wd

19/24 mpg city/highway

$16,695 starting

The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV with a lot of cargo space for the money. Cargo space is helpful for moving to and from college, and college students appreciate the space when going on spring break road trips. The downside is that, as with most Kia's, the Kia Sportage's value will probably depreciate rather quickly. However, the Kia Sportage is cheaper than most other SUV's.

The Most Fuel Efficient for the Money:

2010 Toyota Prius

51/48 mpg city/highway

$22,800 starting

The Toyota Prius was ranked the most fuel efficient car on the market by Consumer Reports. Good fuel efficiency means that the car will save you money even long after you're purchased it, which means more money for college tuition and textbooks. The Toyota Prius is also a green choice, which is another reason the Prius is popular among college students. However, the Prius is more expensive than other budget options.

U.S. News & World Report, "2010 Honda Fit Safety Review," U.S. News Rankings and Reviews

Consumer Reports, "The most fuel-efficient cars," ConsumerReports.org