Top 5 Vehicles for College Students on a Tight Budget

There are a number of cars on the market perfect for college students on a tight budget. If you're a college student or have a student in college you've come to the right place.

Here is a list of five of the top cars for college students. The list is based on the style of vehicle, the price and the reliability most college students and their parents look for in a car.

Ford Focus. You'll like the Ford Focus because of its safety features including anti-lock brakes and the option to add side air bags. You'll get decent gas mileage with the Ford Focus getting 24 miles per gallon on city streets and 35 miles per gallon on the highway. The Ford Focus costs about $15,000 for the basic options.

Honda Civic. The Honda Civic makes a lot of top vehicle lists. It's no exception as a vehicle option for college students. One thing you'll like about the Honda Civic is the vehicle body that can well withstand front and side impact. The Honda Civic gets 26 miles per gallon in the city and 35 miles per gallon on the highway. The starting price of the Honda Civic is about $15,000.

Hyundai Elantra. One of the most affordable vehicles on the market for a college student is the Hyundai Elantra. You can get a Hyundai Elantra for starting at $13,000 so it can easily fit into a college student's budget. The Hyundai Elantra is known as a reliable vehicle and it gets 26 miles per gallon in the city and 35 miles per gallon on the highway.

Mazda3. This four-door car is reasonably priced starting at about $14,500. If you chose to upgrade some options, you can choose heated leather seats and a Bose stereo to pump out the latest hits as you ride to class or out with your college buddies for the weekend. The Mazda3 gets 24 miles per gallon on city streets and 32 miles per gallon on the highway.

Volkswagen Rabbit. You'll get a lot of attention if you drive a Volkswagen Rabbit. It's the least fuel efficient all the other choices, but it could be worth it if it fits your style. This care fits five people so there's room for a few friends or your luggage as you head home from college on Christmas break. You'll enjoy playing music through the Volkswagen Rabbit's 10 speakers. The Volkswagen Rabbit gets 22 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the highway.