Edmunds.com Identifies 11 Best Used Cars for College Students

Key Attributes Include: Modern Electronic Features, Distinctive Style, Versatile Cargo Area, Good Crash Rating and Low Cost of Ownership

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Edmunds.com

Aug 19, 2015, 10:00 ET

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Just in time for the new school year, car shopping destination Edmunds.com identified 11 used cars and SUVs that best meet the needs of today's college students. Understanding that students value a vehicle that is inexpensive to buy and maintain but is still stylish and equipped with high-tech features to fit their always-on lifestyle, Edmunds' experts compiled a list that is sure to have the perfect vehicle for any student in the Pac-12 or Big East or anywhere in between.

These 11 cars, SUVs and crossovers are likely to satisfy a variety of college students' needs and desires. For example, the 2002-2006 Honda CR-V is ideal for game-day tailgates with a built-in pop-out picnic table and watertight storage area; the 2010-2013 Kia Soul has head-turning style and high-tech features such as satellite radio and smartphone connectivity even in the base model; and the 2004-2008 Acura TSX gives students luxury features like heated leather seats, navigation and touchscreen control without breaking the bank.

"When you look at the list, you will notice that that we left out sensible used car choices like the Honda Civic, Toyota RAV4 or Ford Fusion," said James Riswick, Used Car Editor for Edmunds.com. "While these are all great options, they are generic enough to appeal to anyone, and we wanted to craft a list specifically based on what matters most to today's students."

Top 11 Used Cars for College Students:

Mazda 3 (2004-'09): $4,000-$15,000
Honda CR-V (2002-'06): $4,900-$13,000
Scion tC (2005-'10): $5,000-$15,000
Acura TSX (2004-'08): $6,500-$15,500
Ford Mustang (2005-'09): $7,000-$30,000
Toyota Prius (2006-'09): $7,000-$15,000
Kia Soul (2010-'13): $8,000-$17,000
Honda Fit (2009-'13): $8,500-$18,000
Hyundai Tucson (2010-'15): $11,000-$26,000
Toyota FJ Cruiser (2007-'11): $11,500-$28,000
Subaru Impreza (2012-'15): $12,900-$26,000

For more details and information on the vehicles selected and the selection process, please visit: http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/features/11-best-used-cars-for-college-students.html

About Edmunds.com, Inc.
Car shopping destination Edmunds.com serves nearly 20 million visitors each month. With Edmunds.com Price Promise^®, shoppers can buy smarter with instant, upfront prices for cars and trucks currently for sale at 10,000 dealer franchises across the U.S. Shoppers can browse not only dealer inventory, but also vehicle reviews, shopping tips, photos, videos and feature stories on both Edmunds' wired site and on its acclaimed mobile apps. Regarded as one of the best places to work in Southern California, Edmunds.com was also named one of "The World's Top 10 Most Innovative Companies of 2015 in Automotive" by Fast Company. Edmunds welcomes all car-shopping questions on its free Live Help Line at 1-855-782-4711 and [email protected], via text at ED411 and on Twitter and Facebook. The company is based in Santa Monica, Calif. and has a satellite office in downtown Detroit, Mich., but you can find Edmunds from anywhere on YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram, Google+ and Flipboard.