A car is a necessity for many Malaysians, and that includes college students. After all, you’ll need a car to commute to class, attend club activities, and hang out with friends. While there are numerous cars available on the market, it can be challenging to find a car that’s safe and comfortable while being affordable at the same time.
To help you find the right car, here are six of the best cars for students. And the best thing is, they’re all available on CARSOME.
Qualities to Look Out for in a Car
Whether you’re a student looking for a car or whether you’re choosing a car for your college-going son/daughter, there are several criteria you should consider. Besides the price of the car, you also need to prioritize comfort and safety. Here are some things to consider to help you choose the right car.
- Price: Look for a car that’s within your budget. Do also keep in mind the ownership cost of the car including the insurance, road tax, fuel, toll, and other expenditures you’ll have to bear. To get more options at better prices, you can also consider second-hand cars such as the ones we have at CARSOME.
- Ease of maintenance: Look for a car that’s reliable and easy to maintain to minimize trips to the workshop. The car should also have affordable spare parts and consumables (such as engine oil and transmission oil) to ensure an economical ownership experience.
- Fuel efficiency: The best car for a student should be fuel-efficient especially if it’ll be used daily. If you drive a fuel-guzzling D-segment car to campus every day, even if it’s a short distance, you’d be surprised at how much you’ll have to spend refueling it.
- Practicality: A college student’s car should be practical in the sense that it’s easy to maneuver around town, with enough space for passengers, and enough power for daily commutes.
Safety: All modern cars now come with basic safety features such as dual airbags, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD), and multiple parking sensors. Therefore, there’s no reason to get one without these features. If you have some extra budget and want a more future-proof car, you can even get one with advanced safety features such as an advanced driver assistance system (A.D.A.S) that includes adaptive cruise control (ACC), rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA), and more.
Read More: Bring on the Budget: Buying a Car for Your Teen
1. Perodua Axia (RM20,400 – RM37,400)
A 2017 Perodua Axia G 1.0 sold for RM31,400 on CARSOME
The Perodua Axia is the go-to choice for many parents buying a car for their college-going kids. It’s affordable, compact, easy to maintain, and is a certified Energy Efficient Vehicle that sips fuel. The Axia is powered by a 1.0L engine with electronic fuel injection (EFI) and Variable Valve Timing-Intelligent (VVT-i) making it a reliable, fuel-efficient, and easy-to-drive car.
Its compact size allows for easy maneuverability around town and easy parking on campus where parking spaces are scarce. That said, don’t let it fool you – it also has a decently sized cabin and a 260L boot. All the seats, even the front passenger seat, can fold down allowing students to carry large items home during the semester break.
The Axia has a 4-Star ASEAN NCAP Safety Rating with all the necessary safety features. Higher-range variants even have vehicle stability control (VSC), traction control (TC), and Perodua’s Advanced Safety Assist (A.S.A) 2.0 for peace of mind. With its affordable price and wealth of features, the Perodua Axia is undoubtedly among the best cars for students.
2. Perodua Bezza (RM33,700 – RM48,900)
A 2017 Perodua Bezza X 1.3 sold for RM40,900 on CARSOME
If the Axia is too small, you might want to consider its larger sibling, the Perodua Bezza. This compact sedan is affordable and economical like the Axia but has a more refined interior and a large 508L boot making it a great car for students whose campuses are out of state. The Bezza also offers flexibility with its powertrain as it’s offered in a 1.0L or 1.3L engine.
Other amenities in the Bezza include a handphone slot and USB charging port for rear passengers, a luggage net in the boot, and a multipurpose compartment on the driver’s side. Like its smaller sibling, the Bezza also has the same advanced safety features with a 5-Star ASEAN NCAP Safety Rating. That’s one star more than the Axia.
3. Proton Iriz (RM27,400 – RM50,900)
A 2021 Proton Iriz Premium 1.6 CVT sold for RM49,900 on CARSOME
If you’re looking for a more solidly built hatchback that’s comfortable and stable on the highway, the Proton Iriz won’t disappoint. The Iriz comes with either a 1.3L or 1.6L engine giving it enough power for daily commutes and weekend road trips. Proton’s signature ride and handling allow the Iriz to handle corners well and feel planted on the road like a bigger car. That means better passenger comfort.
It’s also equipped with up to six SRS airbags, traction control, and hill hold assist (HHA), while the Executive and Active variants have the addition of front parking sensors and a reverse camera. Overall, the Proton Iriz is easy and affordable to maintain, with a decent fuel economy of around 14.5 km/L. The refined ride quality and affordability of the Iriz make it one of the best cars for students and young adults entering the workforce.
Read More: 6 Industry Secrets Shared by CARSOME Inspectors
4. Proton Saga (RM17,900 – RM32,400)
A 2016 Proton Saga Standard 1.3 sold for RM25,400 on CARSOME
As Malaysia’s first national car, the Proton Saga is a well-loved icon. After numerous updates over the years, the Saga remains an affordable sedan that’s great for students and families alike. The third generation Proton Saga is has a 1.3L engine with options of a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission.
Notable features on the Saga include three USB charging ports, Eco Drive Assist to help you minimize fuel consumption, a spacious 480L boot with folding rear seats, and a smartphone mirror-link via USB. Although it’s a budget sedan, the Proton Saga is equipped with a decent amount of safety features including two SRS airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), and hill hold assist (HHA).
5. Perodua Myvi (RM22,900 – RM54,900)
A 2021 Perodua Myvi X 1.3 sold for RM47,900 on CARSOME
As the best-selling car in Malaysia, the Perodua Myvi is also a contender for the best car for students. The Myvi is powered by either a 1.3L or 1.5L engine and boasts various features that make it such a great hatchback.
It has a decent 277L boot that can expand with the folding rear seats. However, it also has multiple seat configurations allowing you to carry items of various shapes and sizes. Safety features on the Myvi include up to six airbags, adaptive cruise control, lane keep control, and many more features that come with the A.S.A safety suite. Besides being affordable to maintain, you can expect ample spare part availability for the Myvi as well.
6. Toyota Vios (RM43,900 – RM83,900)
A 2018 Toyota Vios GX 1.5 sold for RM70,200 on CARSOME
The only non-national car on this list, the Toyota Vios is the go-to choice for many young professionals as it has that Toyota reliability and is easy to maintain. These qualities also make it a great car for college students. It’s powered by the 2NR-FE 1.5L engine that Toyota has refined over the years to not only be durable but also smooth on the road.
Furthermore, it has an acoustic glass windshield, soft suspension for a supple ride, and a large 506L boot. Onboard safety features include a pre-collision system (PCS), lane departure alert (LDA), blind spot monitor (BSM), and even a front digital video recorder (DVR). If you’re looking for a car with good practicality, comfort, and reliability, you should seriously consider the Toyota Vios.
Make It CARSOME for Peace of Mind
If you’re interested in any of the cars mentioned above, do check out CARSOME. All CARSOME Certified cars have passed a 175-point inspection to ensure they’re free of major accident and flood damage. We also professionally refurbish all our cars to give them safety, comfort, and a refurbished aesthetic.
Additionally, all CARSOME Certified cars come with the following assurance.
- Fixed price: The listing price you see on CARSOME is the full price of the car with no hidden fees, so you know exactly how much you’re paying.
- Five-day money-back guarantee: If you buy a car from CARSOME and you change your mind, you can return it within five days and get a full refund. No questions asked!
- One-year warranty: All CARSOME Certified cars also have a one-year extended warranty for your peace of mind.
Check out CARSOME to find your dream car today!
