The 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback is the top choice for a new car for a student.
Unless you aren’t a parent, when August hits it basically means one thing: Back-to-School shopping. Notebooks, pencils, school uniforms, new car … new car???
In some cases, good transportation is on the list of “necessary” purchases. The question is what’s a good vehicle to get for a student heading back to school. Fortunately, there are some guidelines to use for buying that young driver a car.
If you’re looking for a new vehicle, Kelley Blue Book has put together a list of its top 10 vehicles for just that purpose and at the top of the list is the 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback.
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“While parents and young drivers may not always agree on the ideal car for going to school, there are some great choices out there that can serve as common ground,” said Matt DeLorenzo, senior managing editor for Kelley Blue Book.
“We’ve chosen 10 new cars for students that are a great mix of safe, reliable, cool and affordable, with the fuel-efficient and sporty 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback at the top of the list. The Corolla Hatchback offers an impressive suite of advanced safety features that will ease parents’ minds, along with things sure to be high on teens’ must-have lists like Apple CarPlay.”
The entire list of new vehicles on the top 10 list includes:
- 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback ($19,205)
- 2019 Kia Soul ($16,138)
- 2019 Honda Civic ($18,505)
- 2019 Mazda3 ($20,913)
- 2019 Volkswagen Jetta ($16,749)
- 2019 Honda Fit ($16,080)
- 2019 Hyundai Kona ($19,638)
- 2019 Honda HR-V ($20,538)
- 2019 Subaru Impreza ($18,141)
- 2019 Nissan Kicks ($18,290)
The Kia Soul was the second-best choice on KBB.com’s top 10 list of cars for students.
New vehicles are appealing choices for young drivers due to the safety technology available on so many new cars, trucks and SUVs. That technology is supplement by additional advanced driver assistance systems that can help overcome the sins so often committed by less experienced drivers.
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However, not everyone can afford a new vehicle so looking for a used vehicle is often on the agenda. Fortunately, most vehicles built in the last 10 to 15 years come with airbags and anti-lock brakes, and depending upon the vehicle other systems like traction control make for safe and affordable offerings.
When looking for a vehicle, KBB.com offers a few tips for getting the car that makes the most sense.
- Do Your Research: All the information you need to make a smart car-buying decision is available at KBB.com, as well as bunch of other information like ratings and reviews.
- Know What It Is Going to Cost You: Check out not only what it will cost you up front to buy the car, but also what it will cost you over time to own the vehicle.
- Drive At Least Two or Three Different Models: It’s easy to enjoy a test drive in the vehicle at the top of your list, but without driving one or two others to compare, you might easily miss out on something you’d like even more.
- If Buying New:Always use a vehicle’s Fair Purchase Price, not Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), as your basis for comparing vehicles and negotiating with the dealer.
- If Buying Used: Whether buying from a private party or a dealer, it’s always a good idea to have any used vehicle checked out by a reputable independent service shop. When purchasing from an individual, check out the private-party value from KBB.com.
The 2019 Honda Civic was third on KBB’s list.
- Consider Certified Pre-Owned (CPO): When you buy a CPO vehicle, you get the value of buying a used car with the peace of mind that comes from getting new-car-like features, such as a manufacturer-backed vehicle warranty, full vehicle inspection and more.
- Shop Online: Use the Internet to find the exact vehicles local dealers in your area currently have on their lots.
Additionally, parents and teens should both get behind the wheel of a potential purchase. Teens need to feel comfortable and make sure they can reach all of the driver controls easily, have the abiity to see out of the vehicle, etc.
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For parents, driving the vehicle is important because it’s your experience that can pick off potential problems before a purchase mistake is made. Don’t let your teen talk you into buying a vehicle with which you’re not fully comfortable.