Published: August 11, 2015, 10:30 PM
Updated: August 13, 2015, 12:11 PM
Back-to-school cars for students
By Mark Atkinson
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It’s back-to-school time
The appearance of Halloween displays in stores and that infamous Staples ad playing on a continuous loop can only mean one thing: it’s back-to-school time. If you are a student headed off to college or university, now is the time to find a car to help you get there, as well as to keep you mobile throughout the year. Depending on how much cash is left over from your summer job, there are several options and we've dug out some of the best.
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Commuters and weekenders, new, used and leased
We focused on cars, because while small SUVs and pickups are gaining in popularity, they aren’t as cost-conscious as cars. And we've divided those cars into two groups: those used as everyday commuters, say from a parent's home to school; and those used more occasionally by those living in residence. The latter focus more on trips to the laundromat, groceries, IKEA, etc. Finally, those groups are then divided into new, used and leased with a top-three to choose from in each. If this all sounds confusing, consider it practice for selecting your first year’s course schedule. Let's start with commuter vehicles:
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COMMUTER: NEW – First
2015 Honda Fit DX
MSRP: $14,575
It's hard to fault the combination of a tall, traffic-friendly seating position, good levels of standard equipment and small footprint. And the highly customizable second-row Magic Seat offers easily customizable interior storage. Basic power amenities, Bluetooth hands-free interface and a rear-view camera are welcome additions, although A/C is not included. A new 1.5-litre engine has direct injection for better fuel consumption and more power than before, now hitting 130 horsepower. Its six-speed manual transition is Honda-easy, and an optional CVT is available, although with a much-higher buy-in of $18,675.
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COMMUTER: NEW – Second
2015 Hyundai Accent Sedan L
MSRP: $13,249
[DESCRIPTION] The Hyundai Accent sedan – also available as a five-door model for an extra $200 – is the least expensive way into the subcompact class. As such, it offers only power locks and a height-adjustable driver’s seat as notable amenities. Things like air conditioning and power windows are farther up the model tree. The 1.6-litre engine provides 138 horsepower and good fuel economy ratings for its class, although the Accent isn’t as fun to drive as the Fit. A six-speed automatic is available, although air conditioning is also included in the next-level-up LE at $15,649.
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COMMUTER: NEW –Third
2015 Chevrolet Sonic LS
MSRP: $14,795
The Chevrolet Sonic, has an excellent level of standard equipment for its price. There are power windows and locks and air conditioning is available as a standalone option, not married to another trim level or package. A couple neat exclusives include remote keyless entry, 10 airbags, Bluetooth hands-free and a 4G LTE in-car Wi-Fi powered by OnStar. The 1.8-litre engine produces 138 horsepower, but isn’t as clever or efficient as its rivals. The five-speed manual transmission is easy enough to use, although there is a six-speed automatic available as an option.
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COMMUTER: LEASED – First
2015 Honda Civic Sedan LX w/CVT
MSRP: $20,735
The most popular car in Canada for nearly two decades obviously holds some appeal. So being able to stretch for a volume LX trim with air, all the power convenience features and display audio with Bluetooth is a big deal for a student. Even with the optional CVT, the monthly payments on a 3-year lease at 0.99 percent interest are $346 with taxes in, no money down, and a $10,900 buyout at the term’s end.
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COMMUTER: LEASED – Second
2015 Mazda3 GS w/6AT
MSRP: $21,095
One of the most attractive compacts around, the Mazda3 is also one of the thriftiest. And it happens to be really fun to drive too. In mid-range GS trim it uses a 155-horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, and the optional six-speed automatic is one of the best in class. A three-year lease with a 0.79 percent rate comes to $340 a month. Nothing down, and it includes Mazda’s unlimited mileage warrantee for free.
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COMMUTER: LEASED – Third
2015 Volkswagen Jetta Trendline
MSRP: $20,690
Volkswagen’s Jetta ges more polished every year. The optional old five-banger has now been ditched for an excellent 1.8-litre turbo-four. With a five-speed manual transmission, the car rides on a big wave of low-end torque. By leasing you also avoid the potentially nasty surprises of long-term reliability issues. A three-year lease with 0.9 percent financing comes in at $388 a month, no money down, and a $10,470 buyout at the end.
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COMMUTER: USED – First
2012 Toyota Corolla
Average price: $12,995
Toyota has a stellar reputation for long-lasting quality built into its small cars. The last-generation Corolla might not turn any heads or quicken a pulse, but they do last almost forever. Base CE models use a proven 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine with 132 horsepower, mated to either a five-speed manual or – more likely – a four-speed automatic transition. Prefer a hatchback? The Matrix is identical mechanically.
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COMMUTER: USED – Second
2012 Subaru Impreza
Average price: $16,000
Subaru carries some of the highest residual values around but rarely offers factory leasing deals. If you want to have a car with all-wheel-drive on some kind of a budget, then consider one second-hand. The 2012 Impreza was the first of the new-shape cars and their smaller 2.0-litre flat-fours, meaning 148 horsepower. Fuel economy is marginally improved with the carry-over five-speed manual transmission, and greatly so with the CVT. It's available with four doors or five.
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COMMUTER: USED – Third
2012 Mazda2
Average price: $9,900
For its entire run, the first-gen Mazda2 was the company’s lightest car offered in Canada, more so than even the MX-5 roadster. So that meant the 100-horsepower 1.5-litre engine was more than potent enough to entertain, especially with the standard five-speed manual transmission. Unfortunately the four-speed automatic reduces both speed and fuel efficiency. But the car is very reliable and can be had for very little money.
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WEEKENDER: NEW – First
2015 Nissan Micra S
MSRP: $9,998
Nissan has put a lot of focus on the four-figure starting price of the new Micra. But even as basic as it can be with no air conditioning and manual everything, the car still has plenty of charm. The basic radio offers an auxiliary jack and CD player, and has four speakers. The same 109-horsepower 1.6-litre engine found in the larger Versa Note offers decent acceleration, although fuel efficiency is about average. The five-speed manual is vague and clutch engagement can be high, but a four-speed automatic is optional. The Micra is a fun car to throw around regardless of trim level.
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WEEKENDER: NEW – Second
2015 Chevrolet Spark LS
MSRP: $12,145
Like its larger Sonic cousin, the teeny Chevy Spark is a real, although often overlooked, player in the field, largely because of its tiny 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine that only produces 84 horsepower. On paper, that doesn’t sound like much, but gearing in the five-speed manual transition provides some compensation. The optional CVT is appreciated more for its accelerative assist than as a fuel-economy aid. The Spark also offers 10 airbags, a Wi-Fi hotspot, power windows and mirrors and 15-inch alloy wheels, with air conditioning a standalone option.
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WEEKENDER: NEW – Third
2015 Mitsubishi Mirage ES
MSRP: $12,498
In the quest for bargains, Mitsubishi offers the no-nonsense Mirage. In basic ES form there are black-painted trim pieces and 14-inch steel wheels, but there are power mirrors and front windows. Things like air conditioning, Bluetooth hands-free, keyless entry and four power windows add another $1,300 to the price. The 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine offers only 74 horsepower, so going anywhere quickly takes some effort, although the five-speed manual transmission is easy to operate. The optional CVT is both quicker and thriftier for a $1,200 premium.
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WEEKENDER: LEASED – First
2015 Kia Soul EX
The 2015 Kia Soul is a great combination of stylish runabout and cargo-hauling hatchback. Its construction and materials feel expensive and, with its wide array of eye-searing exterior colours, you won’t lose one in a parking lot. It's on the to-lease rather than buy list because its $16,995 base price is much higher than others. But even the mid-range EX at around $21K, with its 164-horsepower 2.0-litre engine and six-speed automatic transmission, can be made affordable. With no money down, on a 3-year term at 0.9 percent interest, the monthly payment is around $279, with an end value of $13,686.
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WEEKENDER: LEASED – Second
2015 Nissan Versa Note SR
Nissan’s Versa Note is a visual winner, made even more so in SR trim, with larger painted wheels and some additional body pieces. Under the skin, it’s unchanged, so it still uses the same 109-horsepower 1.6-litre engine as the Micra, only here with a fuel-saving CVT. The tall body offers acres of cargo room, and the upright seating won’t decapitate larger drivers. The SR is $4,500 more expensive than the base S, but itincludes all possible niceties. With nothing down, a three-year lease at 2.82 percent is $329 a month. The residual value at the end is $9,600.
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WEEKENDER: LEASED – Third
2015 Ford Fiesta
Ford’s Fiesta has been recently updated to improve both appearance and usability, although the base S’ starting price of $15,349 is high for a subcompact. The 1.6-litre gasoline engine is thrifty enough and the Fiesta does drive very well. But for an extra $2,500, you can step up to an SE trim that comes with a turbocharged 1.0-litre EcoBoost with 123 horsepower and a strong 148 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual is the only transmission available. Ford’s current lease rate of 6.7 percent isn’t great, but payments are around $350 a month for three-year leases.
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WEEKENDER: USED – First
2012 Kia Rio
Average price: $11,800
Compared to its mechanical twin, the Hyundai Accent, the Kia Rio offers more European styling, somewhat better equipment, and commensurately higher prices. The 2012 model is the first year for this body style and is aging nicely. It is a real winner, with tight proportions, a generous cabin and some funky fat alloys on top-end trims. Six-speed transmissions – both manual and automatic – are on offer, both mated exclusively to a 138-horsepower 1.6-litre engine.
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WEEKENDER: USED – Second
2012 Toyota Yaris Hatchback
Average price: $11,995
The Toyota Yaris used to dominate the subcompact scene, but the competition has got very tight in recent years. The Yaris is still a good car, just not great anymore. Back in 2012, Toyota radically split the dowdy sedan front from the more aggressive five-door hatch, and relative bargains can be had. The 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine is found across all models, with either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. If you can find an SE hatch, jump on it: the visual and mechanical differences are worth it.
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WEEKENDER: USED –Third
Fiat 500
Average price: $9,000
Fiat’s entry to Canada has been a boon to its dealers since the Euro hatch is quite popular. Its cute looks and nimble size make it a perfect machine for students. There isn’t a lot of room inside, but it does a good job of making that room accessible. The 1.4-litre engine provides 104 horsepower, with either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. There are both Turbo and Abarth models around with more potent versions of the engine, but they take premium fuel and would cause an insurance broker heart palpitations.
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