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10 Best Cars for College Students

  • The <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/mazda/mazda6/" data-ylk="slk:Mazda6;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Mazda6</a> gets great fuel economy for the midsize car class, which your college student will appreciate on those long road trips. You can sleep well at night knowing your teen is well-protected in case of an accident thanks to the Mazda6's strong safety ratings.
    1/10

    2016 Mazda6

    The Mazda6 gets great fuel economy for the midsize car class, which your college student will appreciate on those long road trips. You can sleep well at night knowing your teen is well-protected in case of an accident thanks to the Mazda6's strong safety ratings.
  • The midsize 2015 <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/subaru/legacy/" data-ylk="slk:Subaru Legacy;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Subaru Legacy</a> is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and received the highest five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. The Legacy is also fully redesigned for 2015 and comes standard with all-wheel drive, which will help if your teen is headed to a college that gets rainy or snowy weather. Reviewers like the Legacy's high-end cabin materials and easy-to-use infotainment system.
    2/10

    2015 Subaru Legacy

    The midsize 2015 Subaru Legacy is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and received the highest five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. The Legacy is also fully redesigned for 2015 and comes standard with all-wheel drive, which will help if your teen is headed to a college that gets rainy or snowy weather. Reviewers like the Legacy's high-end cabin materials and easy-to-use infotainment system.
  • The 2015 <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/chrysler/200" data-ylk="slk:Chrysler 200;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Chrysler 200</a> is another car that is all-new for 2015 and has top safety ratings. This redesigned midsize sedan is available with all-wheel drive, which wasn't available as an option in the past. Your college student probably wants a high-tech infotainment system in their new car, and the Chrysler 200's system is known as one of the best in the class. The Chrysler 200's trunk is big for a midsize car, which will come in handy when Junior comes home for the holidays with a trunk full of dirty laundry.
    3/10

    2015 Chrysler 200

    The 2015 Chrysler 200 is another car that is all-new for 2015 and has top safety ratings. This redesigned midsize sedan is available with all-wheel drive, which wasn't available as an option in the past. Your college student probably wants a high-tech infotainment system in their new car, and the Chrysler 200's system is known as one of the best in the class. The Chrysler 200's trunk is big for a midsize car, which will come in handy when Junior comes home for the holidays with a trunk full of dirty laundry.
  • Toyota gave the <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/toyota/camry/" data-ylk="slk:Camry;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Camry</a> some new styling for 2015, and reviewers think it's more attractive than the 2014 model. Test drivers think the Toyota Camry has composed handling and a very comfortable ride. The Camry is also liked for its extraordinarily quiet cabin, and it has excellent safety ratings. The Toyota Camry's high reliability rating makes it a car your high school grad will likely keep through college and beyond.
    4/10

    2015 Toyota Camry

    Toyota gave the Camry some new styling for 2015, and reviewers think it's more attractive than the 2014 model. Test drivers think the Toyota Camry has composed handling and a very comfortable ride. The Camry is also liked for its extraordinarily quiet cabin, and it has excellent safety ratings. The Toyota Camry's high reliability rating makes it a car your high school grad will likely keep through college and beyond.
  • The <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/hyundai/elantra/" data-ylk="slk:Hyundai Elantra;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Hyundai Elantra</a> is one of the larger compact cars. In fact, it’s actually considered a midsize car by the EPA. Critics say the available navigation system is easy to use. The 2015 Elantra sedan is an IIHS Top Safety Pick, and it received the highest five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Its lower base price compared to midsize cars means you'll save some money too.
    5/10

    2015 Hyundai Elantra Sedan

    The Hyundai Elantra is one of the larger compact cars. In fact, it’s actually considered a midsize car by the EPA. Critics say the available navigation system is easy to use. The 2015 Elantra sedan is an IIHS Top Safety Pick, and it received the highest five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Its lower base price compared to midsize cars means you'll save some money too.
  • The redesigned midsize <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/kia/sorento" data-ylk="slk:Kia Sorento;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Kia Sorento</a> is an IIHS Top Safety Pick and it has a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Your college student likely doesn't need the optional third row of seats, but with only two rows, reviewers think it has plenty of passenger space. The Sorento's cargo space and fuel economy estimates are good for the class, and critics say the cabin is handsome and filled with premium materials.
    6/10

    2015 Kia Sorento

    The redesigned midsize Kia Sorento is an IIHS Top Safety Pick and it has a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Your college student likely doesn't need the optional third row of seats, but with only two rows, reviewers think it has plenty of passenger space. The Sorento's cargo space and fuel economy estimates are good for the class, and critics say the cabin is handsome and filled with premium materials.
  • Though the 2015 <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/honda/cr-v/" data-ylk="slk:Honda CR-V;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Honda CR-V</a> is a compact and not a midsize SUV, it still has a four-star overall NHTSA safety rating and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with the optional front crash prevention system, which automatically applies the brakes if it senses an impending collision.The CR-V's cargo and back-seat space are excellent for a small SUV, and the CR-V comes standard with a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a USB port and Pandora Internet radio compatibility, which your high school grad is sure to like.
    7/10

    2015 Honda CR-V

    Though the 2015 Honda CR-V is a compact and not a midsize SUV, it still has a four-star overall NHTSA safety rating and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with the optional front crash prevention system, which automatically applies the brakes if it senses an impending collision.The CR-V's cargo and back-seat space are excellent for a small SUV, and the CR-V comes standard with a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a USB port and Pandora Internet radio compatibility, which your high school grad is sure to like.
  • The <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/mazda/cx-5/" data-ylk="slk:Mazda CX-5;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Mazda CX-5</a> gets good fuel economy for the class, and reviewers think the CX-5 has a roomy, upscale cabin. With the optional low-speed automatic braking/front crash prevention system, the Mazda CX-5 is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and has a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
    8/10

    2016 Mazda CX-5

    The Mazda CX-5 gets good fuel economy for the class, and reviewers think the CX-5 has a roomy, upscale cabin. With the optional low-speed automatic braking/front crash prevention system, the Mazda CX-5 is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and has a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
  • Though the <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/chevrolet/equinox" data-ylk="slk:Chevrolet Equinox;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Chevrolet Equinox</a> ranks in our compact SUV class, it’s big enough that the IIHS considers it a midsize SUV and named it a Top Safety Pick. NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating. Your high school grad will likely be impressed that the Equinox comes standard with a subscription-based 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot.
    9/10

    2016 Chevrolet Equinox

    Though the Chevrolet Equinox ranks in our compact SUV class, it’s big enough that the IIHS considers it a midsize SUV and named it a Top Safety Pick. NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating. Your high school grad will likely be impressed that the Equinox comes standard with a subscription-based 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot.
  • The <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/gmc/terrain/" data-ylk="slk:GMC Terrain;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">GMC Terrain</a> is similar to the Equinox in that the IIHS considers it a midsize SUV, and named it a Top Safety Pick. The Equinox also has a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Although the GMC Terrain is very similar to the Chevrolet Equinox since both SUVs are built by General Motors, auto critics think the Terrain's cabin is more luxurious.
    10/10

    2016 GMC Terrain

    The GMC Terrain is similar to the Equinox in that the IIHS considers it a midsize SUV, and named it a Top Safety Pick. The Equinox also has a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Although the GMC Terrain is very similar to the Chevrolet Equinox since both SUVs are built by General Motors, auto critics think the Terrain's cabin is more luxurious.
The <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/mazda/mazda6/" data-ylk="slk:Mazda6;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Mazda6</a> gets great fuel economy for the midsize car class, which your college student will appreciate on those long road trips. You can sleep well at night knowing your teen is well-protected in case of an accident thanks to the Mazda6's strong safety ratings.
The midsize 2015 <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/subaru/legacy/" data-ylk="slk:Subaru Legacy;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Subaru Legacy</a> is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and received the highest five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. The Legacy is also fully redesigned for 2015 and comes standard with all-wheel drive, which will help if your teen is headed to a college that gets rainy or snowy weather. Reviewers like the Legacy's high-end cabin materials and easy-to-use infotainment system.
The 2015 <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/chrysler/200" data-ylk="slk:Chrysler 200;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Chrysler 200</a> is another car that is all-new for 2015 and has top safety ratings. This redesigned midsize sedan is available with all-wheel drive, which wasn't available as an option in the past. Your college student probably wants a high-tech infotainment system in their new car, and the Chrysler 200's system is known as one of the best in the class. The Chrysler 200's trunk is big for a midsize car, which will come in handy when Junior comes home for the holidays with a trunk full of dirty laundry.
Toyota gave the <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/toyota/camry/" data-ylk="slk:Camry;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Camry</a> some new styling for 2015, and reviewers think it's more attractive than the 2014 model. Test drivers think the Toyota Camry has composed handling and a very comfortable ride. The Camry is also liked for its extraordinarily quiet cabin, and it has excellent safety ratings. The Toyota Camry's high reliability rating makes it a car your high school grad will likely keep through college and beyond.
The <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/hyundai/elantra/" data-ylk="slk:Hyundai Elantra;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Hyundai Elantra</a> is one of the larger compact cars. In fact, it’s actually considered a midsize car by the EPA. Critics say the available navigation system is easy to use. The 2015 Elantra sedan is an IIHS Top Safety Pick, and it received the highest five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Its lower base price compared to midsize cars means you'll save some money too.
The redesigned midsize <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/kia/sorento" data-ylk="slk:Kia Sorento;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Kia Sorento</a> is an IIHS Top Safety Pick and it has a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Your college student likely doesn't need the optional third row of seats, but with only two rows, reviewers think it has plenty of passenger space. The Sorento's cargo space and fuel economy estimates are good for the class, and critics say the cabin is handsome and filled with premium materials.
Though the 2015 <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/honda/cr-v/" data-ylk="slk:Honda CR-V;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Honda CR-V</a> is a compact and not a midsize SUV, it still has a four-star overall NHTSA safety rating and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with the optional front crash prevention system, which automatically applies the brakes if it senses an impending collision.The CR-V's cargo and back-seat space are excellent for a small SUV, and the CR-V comes standard with a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a USB port and Pandora Internet radio compatibility, which your high school grad is sure to like.
The <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/mazda/cx-5/" data-ylk="slk:Mazda CX-5;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Mazda CX-5</a> gets good fuel economy for the class, and reviewers think the CX-5 has a roomy, upscale cabin. With the optional low-speed automatic braking/front crash prevention system, the Mazda CX-5 is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and has a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
Though the <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/chevrolet/equinox" data-ylk="slk:Chevrolet Equinox;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Chevrolet Equinox</a> ranks in our compact SUV class, it’s big enough that the IIHS considers it a midsize SUV and named it a Top Safety Pick. NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating. Your high school grad will likely be impressed that the Equinox comes standard with a subscription-based 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot.
The <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos/research/gmc/terrain/" data-ylk="slk:GMC Terrain;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">GMC Terrain</a> is similar to the Equinox in that the IIHS considers it a midsize SUV, and named it a Top Safety Pick. The Equinox also has a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Although the GMC Terrain is very similar to the Chevrolet Equinox since both SUVs are built by General Motors, auto critics think the Terrain's cabin is more luxurious.
Yahoo Autos

Your kid is heading off to college in the fall and you want to help him or her buy a new car to take to school. While you might consider a budget-friendly entry-level subcompact car, good things don't always come in small packages—especially when it comes to crash protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recommends midsize and large cars for teen drivers because they offer better crash protection than a compact car. Then there are the high-tech safety features recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration—rearview camera, lane departure warning and forward collision warning—which you’ll also want to factor in when making a purchase.

Here are the top 10 picks for college students from U.S. News, which range from compacts to larger SUVs.

More at U.S. News
Compact SUV Rankings
Safest Cars for Teens
The Best Midsize Cars