Used Cars Under $10,000 for College Students
Safety, style, and fuel economy come together in affordable choices for higher-education transportation.
Chevrolet
Updated on May 23, 2024
Considering the complex financial planning required to cope with modern college costs, parents seeking a safe and reliable vehicle for their aspiring scholars are likely to appreciate options that won't break the bank.
For more parental peace of mind, each model listed earned a five-star National Highway Traffic Safety Administration safety rating, except the 2014 Honda Civic, which achieved a four-star safety rating. These vehicles also offer competitive fuel economy, suitable cargo space, and standard features such as Bluetooth for hands-free calls and tunes — all for under $10,000.
We looked at Kelley Blue Book value estimates based on a car with typical mileage — around 12,000 annually — on its odometer. Perhaps this list will help whittle down your search. As with any used-car acquisition, a pre-purchase inspection by a reputable mechanic is worthwhile.
Chevrolet
2015 Chevrolet Volt: About $10,000
High mileage earns high grades for General Motors' functional and capable plug-in hybrid. This sleek sedan might also grant your student premium on-campus parking or access to an HOV lane thanks to its plug.
If your young driver manages to use up the Volt's nearly 40 miles of all-electric range on library trips, the car still offers 37 mpg and as much as 380 miles of total range on a full fuel tank. Volt Premium trims offer Bose audio and navigation, as well as heated front seats. The car's 11 cubic-feet of cargo space is also acceptable for daily use.
Ford
2015 Ford Focus: About $6,000
Refreshed in 2015, the Focus four-door sedan or five-door hatchback models did well with a frugal 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine earning up to 31 mpg. That beats 26 mpg from the 2.0-liter four-cylinder model. A 75-mile-range all-electric high-performance 2016 Focus RS also exists, although it's generally more expensive.
Room in the hatchback is ample, with almost 45 cu-ft of luggage space with the rear seats dropped. This refreshed Focus has an updated, more functional interior, with a standard rearview camera added.
Honda
2014 Honda Civic: About $10,000
With up to 34 mpg from a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, the ninth-generation Civic continued its evolution with two-door coupe or four-door models spread over five grades.
Civics universally pack a friendly and easy-to-drive character that's made simpler with a smooth-operating automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT), standard on all trim levels except the base LX, where a five-speed manual is standard and the CVT is available. The manual transmission is also available on the EX coupe.
Look for helpful safety extras like the LaneWatch system, which provides a video view of the right-side blind spot. Groceries will still fit with some 12 cu-ft in the trunk. There are also 44-mpg Civic hybrid variants, a sporty Si model with a manual transmission, and even a natural gas-powered Civic.
Hyundai
2013 Hyundai Sonata: About $7,000
Almost two decades after its debut, the sixth-generation Sonata helped push the envelope with an attractive, comfortable layout well-suited for a college-bound driver. The Sonata's 37-mpg hybrid rendition is the low-consumption king, but 27 mpg from the 2.4-liter four-cylinder is no slouch, either.
Spread between three trim levels, the Sonata is loaded with safety features — traction control, stability control, and the BlueLink emergency service. There's 120 cu-ft of road-tripping interior volume and a 16 cu-ft trunk.
Spending a few extra bucks on an aftermarket theft-prevention device may help to avoid theft issues facing many older Hyundai models.
Kia
2014 Kia Soul: About $7,000
The Soul's funky and friendly vibe is still a great fit on a crowded college campus, with a boxy but approachable style that conceals 61 cu-ft of cargo room with the seats dropped.
The diminutive front-wheel-drive cruiser features either a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 130 horsepower or a 164-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder, the larger engine still generating 26 mpg. The second-generation Soul included upgrades such as adjustable steering settings to add some sporty driving appeal. Bluetooth is also included.
Nissan
2014 Nissan Altima: About $8,000
A sizable step up from compact sedans, the roomier Altima midsize sedan is a decidedly practical choice. The Altima shines with 31 mpg from its 182-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine; a still-decent 25-mpg 3.5-liter V6 is also available.
The Altima provides five-person comfort, with enough room for weekend laundry in its 15 cu-ft trunk. The Altima pioneered an early text messaging assistance program, a tire-fill alert that honks the horn when you hit the correct pressure at a pump, and some trims also feature remote start or a moonroof.
Scion
2014 Scion tC: About $9,000
Give your Gen Z collegiate some Millennial credibility with the distinctive tC, a sporty but practical member of Toyota's short-lived, youth-focused sub-brand. A decade ago, the tC's mix of attitude-heavy styling and affordable performance made it a relatively hot seller.
The car's underlying reliability and enduring looks make it a budget-busting choice for campus. The tC's standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 179 horsepower generated 26 mpg, and a versatile hatchback helps access 15 cu-ft of cargo room — with folding rear seats that are surprisingly comfortable for passengers once aboard. Make sure you find one with the 300-watt Pioneer stereo.
Toyota
2013 Toyota Camry: About $10,000
The Camry's college appeal is grounded in rock-solid reliability and a spacious interior. The 2013 edition has a wider, lower, and more contemporary shape than older models. Two engine choices are available, with both a 178-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a speedier 268-hp 3.5-liter V6.
The smaller engine's gas-sipping 28-mpg trim is a compelling choice, assuming you can't find a miracle deal on the 41-mpg Hybrid model. Even base Camrys came pretty well equipped from the factory with cloth seats, 10 airbags, and a tire-pressure monitor. There's also a decent 15.4 cu-ft of storage in the trunk.
Toyota
2013 Toyota Prius V: About $10,000
Rather than be constrained to one model, the Prius lineup offered compact and higher-capacity variations for 2013. The wagon-shaped Prius V could give your student a great mix of room for hauling friends — complete with sliding rear seats — and 67 cu-ft of cargo space.
The V's 134-hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain provides a little highway power, while an impressive 41 mpg could yield extra cash for pizza or textbooks. You'll find several available upgrades on the three trim levels, including a panoramic moonroof, a backup camera, and heated front seats for chilly mornings.
Subaru
2014 Subaru Forester: About $10,000
Safety-minded families might recognize that Subaru's sturdy all-wheel-drive Forester could be a solid choice for your academic offspring. The Forester was plenty boxy and versatile in this fourth generation, with 74.5 cu-ft of cargo space — big enough for a mountain bike.
The added grip of symmetrical AWD could make winter storms less scary and open up versatility for weekend camping trips. Aim for the 27-mpg 170-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder model versus the roaring 250-hp 2.0-liter turbo edition. The then new EyeSight driver assist helped the Forester get an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ rating.
All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Andy StonehouseAndy Stonehouse literally fell into the world of auto writing while working as a ski-town journalist, and has not looked back since. A childhood spent dealing with the eccentricities of a 1976 MG Midget has made any subsequent auto experience a more safe and reliable drive. He has been blessed with nearby mountain trails and snowy roads in Colorado to do TV-adventure-styled test drives on a weekly basis.
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