With the cost of living crisis discouraging students from moving away from home, along with a shortage of available accommodation, more students are now opting to commute to their place of study.
If saving money is a priority, commuting can be a fantastic alternative, as you can get a reliable car for less than the cost of a year’s rent.
With student accommodation averaging over £5,000 per academic year, we’ve compiled a list of cars available for less than that amount.
Our selection includes vehicles that are budget-friendly to purchase, fuel-efficient, and compact enough for easy parking an essential factor given the limited parking spaces around colleges and university towns.
Additionally, some of these models are available with affordable leasing options, meaning that even with an upfront payment, you can drive a brand-new car for less than the cost of a student hall room.
1. Dacia Sandero
- 8/10
Although it no longer holds the title of Britain’s cheapest new car, the Dacia Sandero remains one of the best budget-friendly options.
It may not be luxurious, but the latest models boast a stylish design and can be leased for around £200 per month.
Thanks to its low starting price, fairly recent used models can also be found at bargain rates. While it may not be the most eye-catching car in the university parking lot, it’s undoubtedly one of the most practical choices.
What’s good
- Outstanding value for money
- Spacious and highly practical interior
- Holds its resale value well
What’s not so good
- Disappointing two-star safety rating
- No USB charging ports in the back
- Extra cost for a more vibrant paint job
New Dacia Sandero
- From £13,502 (£195* / month)
Used Dacia Sandero
- From £8,615
2. Hyundai i10
- 8/10
Continuing with our sensible picks, the Hyundai i10 earns its place on this list.
While it’s not the most spacious option and isn’t ideal for long motorway commutes, it does feature a practical boot and an appealing design.
Crucially, leasing a brand-new model is highly affordable, and there are plenty of nearly new options on the used market at reasonable prices.
What’s good
- Attractive exterior styling
- Decent-sized boot and rear seats
- Surprisingly fun to drive
What’s not so good
- Entry-level petrol engine lacks power
- Higher trim levels can get expensive
- Poor performance from the automatic gearbox
New Hyundai i10
- From £14,842 (£162* / month)
Used Hyundai i10
- From £9,500
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3. SEAT Ibiza
- 8/10
If you’re looking for a car with style, the SEAT Ibiza is a top contender. It’s difficult to find a more fashionable option at this price point in the new car market.
But the Ibiza isn’t just about aesthetics it’s also an enjoyable car to drive, making those longer commutes to class much more pleasant.
Even if you’re not interested in taking advantage of low-cost leasing options, there are plenty of affordable used models available, with even older generations still sporting a sleek and modern design.
What’s good
- Stylish design
- Engaging and fun to drive
- Generous boot space
What’s not so good
- Some lower-quality plastic materials inside
- Higher trims can be expensive
- Noisy entry-level petrol engine
New SEAT Ibiza
- From £16,984 (£164* / month)
Used SEAT Ibiza
- From £8,300
4. Volkswagen Polo
- 8/10
If you’re looking for a small car that delivers the feel of a larger, more refined vehicle, the Volkswagen Polo is an excellent choice.
One of its biggest strengths is its spacious and comfortable interior, making it ideal for long journeys. It also boasts a more premium feel than many other budget-friendly cars.
While leasing a brand-new Polo costs slightly more than the most affordable options on this list, it remains reasonably priced. Additionally, the used market offers great value, with plenty of models to choose from.
What’s good
- Upscale interior with a premium feel
- Smooth and comfortable ride quality
- Generous boot space
What’s not so good
- Lacks the fun factor of some rivals
- Base petrol engine feels underpowered
- Extra features can be pricey
New Volkswagen Polo
- From £19,604 (£215* / month)
Used Volkswagen Polo
- From £8,199
5. Ford Fiesta
- 7/10
The Ford Fiesta remains a top choice among young drivers, thanks to its stylish design, low running costs, and engaging driving experience.
While leasing deals may not be the most competitive compared to other options in this price range, the used market is full of attractive choices.
There are plenty of high-spec and sporty variants available at reasonable prices, making it a solid option for students looking for a fun and affordable car.
What’s good
- Excellent driving dynamics
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included as standard
- Responsive 100hp petrol engine
What’s not so good
- ST-Line models have a firm ride
- Competitors offer more rear passenger space
- Some rivals come with larger boot capacity
New Ford Fiesta
- Currently unavailable
Used Ford Fiesta
- From £6,495
6. MINI 3-Door Hatch
- 7/10
If you want a stylish and trendy university car, the MINI 3-Door Hatch is an excellent option. While brand-new models can be quite expensive, the used market offers plenty of well-equipped and attractive options at more reasonable prices.
Running costs tend to be higher than other cars on this list, and reliability isn’t its strongest suit, but if you’re willing to take the risk, you’ll enjoy a premium interior and one of the most engaging driving experiences in the small car segment.
What’s good
- Exciting and enjoyable to drive
- High-quality infotainment system
- Wide range of personalization options
What’s not so good
- Limited boot space
- Difficult rear-seat access
- Noticeable wind and tyre noise
New MINI 3-Door Hatch
- Currently unavailable
Used MINI 3-Door Hatch
- From £9,650
7. Nissan Leaf
- 6/10
The Nissan Leaf is a slightly unconventional choice for this list and it won’t suit everyone. Leasing costs are on the higher side, but if you have access to home charging, the fuel savings could help offset the expense.
When shopping for a budget-friendly used model, you’ll likely come across early-generation Leafs, which have a limited real-world range of under 80 miles. This means it’s only a viable option if you don’t have to rely heavily on costly public charging stations.
What’s good
- E+ models offer a respectable range
- Packed with smart safety features
- Decent boot space
What’s not so good
- Infotainment system is slow to respond
- Interior materials feel low-quality in some areas
- Rear passenger space is tighter than some alternatives
New Nissan Leaf
- Lease from £152* / month
Used Nissan Leaf
- From £7,700
8. Toyota Yaris
- 8/10
Whether or not the Toyota Yaris qualifies as a “cool” car depends on whether you find fuel efficiency and reliability appealing. For those who do, it’s an excellent choice.
Even if that’s not your priority, the latest Yaris boasts a stylish design, is enjoyable to drive, and makes up for its higher leasing cost with outstanding fuel economy.
Older models can be found within a £5,000 budget, though they’re less exciting than newer versions. That said, they remain one of the most dependable choices available.
What’s good
- Highly efficient hybrid engine
- Engaging and enjoyable driving experience
- Well-equipped as standard
What’s not so good
- Interior feels a bit dull
- Ride quality is firm on larger wheels
- Limited rear-seat and boot space
New Toyota Yaris Hybrid
- From £21,587 (£236* / month)
Used Toyota Yaris Hybrid
- From £12,995
9. Vauxhall Corsa
- 7/10
The Vauxhall Corsa holds the title of Britain’s best-selling car, and it’s easy to see why. The latest model boasts a stylish design and offers solid value for its size.
While it might appear to be one of the pricier choices on this list, leasing costs are still reasonable if you’re set on getting a brand-new version.
However, the best deals can typically be found on the used market due to the Corsa’s widespread availability. No matter which version you choose, you can count on it being economical to fuel, insure, and repair.
This marks the sixth generation of the Corsa—provided you count the first-generation model, which was originally sold in the UK as the Nova but carried the Corsa name elsewhere.
Introduced in 2019, its release was delayed due to Vauxhall’s new owner at the time, the PSA Group, opting to base the car on one of its own platforms rather than continuing with one from the previous General Motors era.
The overall formula remains largely unchanged over the years, a testament to Vauxhall’s success, as the Corsa currently holds the title of Britain’s best-selling supermini.
Underneath, many of its components are shared with the Peugeot 208, and naturally, there’s also an electric version—aptly named the Corsa Electric—which is closely related to the e-208.
What’s good
- Enjoyable driving experience
- Fuel-efficient engine options
- Well-equipped as standard
What’s not so good
- Infotainment system can be tricky to use
- Ride quality is firm at low speeds
- Rear passenger space is a bit tight
New Vauxhall Corsa
- Currently unavailable
Used Vauxhall Corsa
- From £8,075
10. Citroen C3
- 6/10
The Citroen C3 competes to be one of the most affordable cars in the UK, which is impressive considering its stylish design and exceptionally comfortable ride.
While it’s not the most thrilling option, it excels at making long commutes feel effortless almost like driving in a cozy armchair.
Older models within budget may lack the quirky styling of newer versions, but they maintain the same level of comfort and cost-effective running expenses.
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