Best Car for College Students:#10-Honda CR-V February 11, 2008

        

Price: $21,195 (2007)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Hwy): 20/27 mpg (est)
Crash tests: 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side; Good frontal offset, Good side

The CR-V has a very roomy, quiet interior and its handles well, too. For students in Snow Belt states, the available Real Time four-wheel drive system may aid safety on slippery surfaces. Electronic stability control and active front headrests, which help reduce rear-impact whiplash injuries, are standard. Finding a replacement of any of its auto parts will not be a problem for both parents and students for it is very easy to find.

Best Car for College Students:#6-Honda Civic February 5, 2008

        

Price: $18,355 (2007)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Hwy): 25/36
Crash tests: 5 stars frontal, 4/5 stars side (4-dr w/SAB); Good frontal offset, Good side

Safety Features

• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• 3-Point Seat Belts with Pretensioners
• Active Front Head Restraints
• Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
• Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
• Dual-Stage Front Airbags (SRS)
• Front Side Airbags with Passenger-Side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)
• Side Curtain Airbags

The no-longer Plain-Jane Civic has a “better than average” Consumer Reports reliability score, along with 4.5 out of 5 stars in J.D. Power’s ratings for overall mechanical quality. For about $5,000 more, the Civic Hybrid offers a bump of about 10 mpg in city driving.