| While almost everyone wants a car, certain limitations | | | | controls that are easily understood. Ride comfort and |
| restrict car buyers from buying their dream car. The | | | | stability is satisfactory. |
| price, of course, of a BMW for example puts it beyond | | | | In terms of safety, it has front-seat mounted side |
| the reach of most car buyers especially students. That | | | | airbags and a roof-mounted side curtain airbags. |
| is because of the fact that most students look for | | | | These safety features can protect the car's occupant |
| cars which are not only affordable but also gives them | | | | from severe injuries in cases of crashes. The least |
| the highest value for their money. | | | | expensive trim level of the Accent though is not |
| In response to this, a list of the top ten cars for | | | | equipped with an anti-lock brake system. But for the |
| students is offered by cars.about.com, one of the | | | | rest of the Accent lineup, the ABS is a standard |
| leading online sources of auto information. The list is | | | | feature. Price is sensible for young car buyers. High |
| composed of cars which are known for their reliability, | | | | value for money is ensured by the long warranty that |
| driver friendliness and, of course, price range which is | | | | Hyundai is known for. |
| within the reach of a student's budget. | | | | The Kia Optima is the fifth car on the list. It is bigger |
| Number one on the list is the Ford Focus ZX3 - the | | | | than the Accent but is pretty much on the same price |
| small car from the Dearborn-based contingent. The | | | | range. Compared to the family cars produced by |
| current Focus is now in its seventh generation and | | | | domestic car manufactures like Chevrolet, Ford and |
| while it cannot match the technologically advanced | | | | Chrysler, the Optima is a good choice in terms of its |
| features offered by other subcompact cars, the | | | | price. It offers good space in the cockpit and at the |
| Focus is a great car to own. It has good fuel economy | | | | same time is equipped with safety features that one |
| for its relatively small size. Another positive thing about | | | | can find in a car priced relatively higher than the |
| the subcompact car is that it is easy to drive. | | | | Optima. Owing to the fact that it is already acquired by |
| Currently, the price of the base model of the Focus is | | | | Hyundai, the Kia Optima comes with a long term |
| slated at $13,995. The car is equipped with a 2.0-liter | | | | warranty that is hard to beat. |
| four cylinder engine that is capable of churning out | | | | Sixth on the list is the award-winning Honda Fit. The Fit |
| adequate power for the small car. Its suspension | | | | of today resembles the Civic of ten years ago. Since |
| setting is solid and gives its occupants a smooth ride | | | | the Civic has been upscaled by the Japanese car |
| on most road conditions. | | | | manufacturer, the Fit stepped in to take its place on |
| Number two on the list is the Scion-Braun xB | | | | Honda's lineup for the United States auto market. Much |
| Rampvan. This vehicle is the right choice for disabled | | | | like the iconic Civic hatchback, the Fit offers a good |
| students. The vehicle, as the name suggests, is a | | | | handling capability and the fuel efficiency to match. |
| Rampvan -meaning it is wheelchair-accessible. One | | | | One thing that the Fit has over the Civic hatchback is |
| advantage that the xB has over its competition is the | | | | that it offers more space at the back. Priced lower |
| relatively lower price. Not only is the xB Rampvan | | | | than its European and American contemporaries, the |
| more affordable but it also consumes less fuel than its | | | | Fit is also a good choice for students looking to own |
| contemporaries. With the price of gasoline | | | | their first car. |
| skyrocketing these past few years, the xB is a safe | | | | Number seven on the list is the Pontiac G5. This coupe |
| choice for disabled students. | | | | is one of the best looking cars on the list owing to the |
| Another practical attribute that the xB Rampvan has is | | | | fact hat it comes from the same carmaker which |
| that its ramp drops down from the back of the vehicle | | | | came up with the legendary GTO. While the G5 may |
| instead of being on the side. This means that the | | | | share its bloodline with America's first muscle car, it is |
| vehicle can be parked on a crowded parking without | | | | priced sensibly. Fuel efficiency is exemplary and |
| posing to be a problem for the wheelchair-bound | | | | user-friendliness is outstanding. In terms of safety |
| occupant in boarding or leaving the vehicle. | | | | features, side airbags are listed as options and it is |
| The third vehicle on the list is the Honda Civic. The | | | | highly recommend that one should avail of that option. |
| advantages of the compact sedan for students | | | | The Suzuki SX4 is the eighth car on the list. While it is |
| include its fuel efficiency. Aside from that, the Civic | | | | a Japanese car, it is priced similar to its Korean |
| epitomizes Honda's reputation as a builder of reliable | | | | counterparts. Priced below $16,000, the SX4 is |
| cars. Performance and driveability is also satisfactory. | | | | regarded as the cheapest all-wheel drive vehicle |
| For the adventurous young drivers, the Civic is one of | | | | available in the market. For its relatively low price, the |
| the best cars to learn tuning. Aftermarket parts can | | | | SX4 comes with a host of standard features which |
| easily be added to the Civic such as Gibson exhaust | | | | includes four-wheel anti-lock brakes and side airbags. |
| pipes. | | | | For entertainment, the SX4 comes equipped with a |
| The Civic is also loaded with safety features which | | | | CD/MP3 player. |
| include the standard anti-lock braking system which | | | | Number nine on the list is the Mazda 3. The Mazda 3 |
| reduces the risk of brake lockup in cases of heavy | | | | comes in either a sedan or a mini-wagon body style. |
| braking. During an unfortunate event of a crash, the | | | | Being Japan-made, car buyers can be assured of its |
| Civic protects its occupants through the front-seat side | | | | reliability. The engine lineup offers a 2.0-liter gasoline |
| airbags, side curtain airbags and, of course, the | | | | engine which has a fuel efficiency one can expect |
| standard front airbags. In terms of construction, the | | | | from a Japanese car. For those who want more |
| Civic is designed to endure the impact if it collides with | | | | power for the Mazda 3, a 2.3-liter engine is offered. |
| a bigger vehicle. In terms of affordability, the LX trim | | | | Rounding up the list is the immortal Toyota Corolla. This |
| level of the Civic is reasonable for students. | | | | compact car has been available in the market even |
| Number four car on the list is the Hyundai Accent - the | | | | before students today were born. Considered as the |
| subcompact car from the Korean carmaker. Experts | | | | best selling car of all time, the Corolla's charm and |
| call it a "great first car" for young people. Like the rest | | | | reliability are still present today. Fuel efficiency is good |
| of the cars on the list, the Accent is easy to drive with | | | | which is what one would expect from a Toyota. |