Choosing the right car as a student can make daily life easier, whether you are getting to lectures, part-time work, or travelling home on weekends. The ideal student car should be affordable, reliable, fuel efficient, and cheap to maintain.

At Dave Allen Motors, we specialise in economical, safe and budget friendly first cars. With 625+ Google 5-Star Reviews and thousands of customers served across NZ, we make buying your next car simple and stress-free.

What Students Should Look for in a Car

• Excellent fuel economy
• Low servicing and maintenance costs
• Affordable insurance premiums
• Compact size for easy parking
• Strong reliability history
• Good safety features

1) Toyota Aqua

Why students love it:

• Extremely low fuel costs
• Easy to drive and easy to park
• Proven hybrid reliability in NZ

Best for: Students with daily commuting or tight budgets.

2) Mazda Demio

• Very economical petrol engine
• Low servicing costs
• Fun to drive and stylish

Ideal for: Students wanting reliability on a budget.

3) Honda Fit

• Spacious interior with excellent boot layout
• Low running costs
• Highly reliable engine

Best for: Students needing extra room for gear or luggage.

4) Suzuki Swift

• Cheap to run
• Low insurance and maintenance
• Perfect size for campus parking

Best for: First time drivers and city students.

5) Toyota Prius

• Outstanding hybrid efficiency
• Comfortable interior
• Incredibly reliable long-term

Best for: Students doing longer trips home on weekends.

6) Nissan Note

• Great fuel economy
• Smooth handling
• Often strong value for money

Great for: Budget students needing safe daily transport.

7) Honda Insight

• Hybrid fuel savings
• Low ownership costs
• Reliable and simple to drive

Ideal for: Students wanting hybrid benefits without Prius pricing.

Which Student Car Should You Choose?

• Best budget hybrid: Toyota Aqua
• Best value petrol car: Mazda Demio
• Best all-rounder: Honda Fit
• Best first car: Suzuki Swift
• Best long-distance option: Toyota Prius

Your best choice depends on your location, weekly driving habits and budget. Our team can help match you with a reliable, economical option that suits student life.

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Easy finance options available online:

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With 625+ Google 5-Star Reviews, Dave Allen Motors is trusted by students and families across Hamilton and NZ.

FAQs

What is the best cheap car for students in NZ?

The Toyota Aqua, Mazda Demio and Honda Fit are top choices for affordability and low running costs.

Should students buy hybrid or petrol?

Hybrids can be ideal for city students because they can save fuel in stop-start traffic.

What budget should a student set?

Many students buy reliable cars between $6,000 and $12,000, depending on requirements and running costs.