College kids prefer the Avante: Poll

Hyundai Motor’s compact sedan Avante is the most wanted car by Korean college students, according to a survey conducted by Hyundai Mobis.

The survey asked 1,000 students in 20 colleges nationwide over the course of a month. According to the survey, the Avante, known as the Elantra overseas, was picked as the top model for college students as their first car at 8.9 percent. Kia Motors’ compact sedan K3 came in second, followed by GM Korea’s Cruze. Kia’s boxcar Ray was fourth and Mini Cooper was fifth.

Male students picked Kia’s Soul as their favorite domestic model and Volkswagen’s popular hatchback Golf as the preferred imported model. For female students, the Avante was No. 1 and the Mini Cooper was the favorite foreign car.

By segment, 32 percent of male students answered that they liked sport utility vehicles, but among female students, coupes were favored. Overall, the students preferred sedans (26.7 percent), followed by SUVs, coupes and hatchbacks.

But both genders had the same view when buying a car.

According to the survey, both male and female students picked the car’s design as the most important factor, followed by fuel efficiency and brand.

When asked which automobile-related topic caught their attention, 33.8 percent answered the supply of environment-friendly cars, such as electric vehicles and hybrids.

The Seoul Motor Show came in second, followed by the rising presence of foreign-brand cars.

By Joo kyung-don [kjoo@joongang.co.kr]