Best First Cars with 2, 3, 4, 5 Doors (9 Models for Beginners)
Good first cars come in several door configurations – two, three, four, and five.
While a four-door sedan is the most common and widely available, the rest have fewer or more doors to suit various needs and tastes.
Best First Cars with 2 Doors
#1 Subaru BRZ
For every level of car enthusiasts, the BRZ hits the sweet spot for an affordable sports car, expertly balancing handling and ride quality.
Its qualities have remained unchanged since its release in 2013, and the latest iteration essentially improved on an inexpensive but superb driver.
However, this sports machine isn’t about raw power or scrimping at the pump. Its magic comes from sharp and agile handling and smooth yet reassuring braking performance, providing a super fun time behind the wheel.
You don’t have to drive the BRZ fast to enjoy the drive – ideal for beginners.
Its two-door setup in a coupe body with a sloping roofline inevitably means cramped rear seats, sufficient for shopping bags and items you don’t want rolling in the trunk.
The BRZ rides firmly but with good compliance, the suspension soaking up most bumps while providing some isolation, unlike sports cars of the past.
A near-identical twin with the Toyota 86 and the newer GR86, the Subaru BRZ is an excellent first car for young male drivers pursuing an enjoyable rear-wheel-powered ride.
Although its base price of near $30k, brand-new, may still be expensive for young drivers, a 2013 model is available for less than $18k.
#2 Mazda MX-5 Miata
The MX-5 Miata has entertained and thrilled driving purists of all ages for over three decades and four generations.
Its entry-level price, lightweight and small two-door design, and pure driving experience are perfect for new drivers seeking an enjoyable ride for two.
It’s an inexpensive option for a rear-wheel-drive sports machine and a surprisingly livable performance vehicle for daily use with agreeable ride quality.
Besides the agile handling that suits city driving, the MX-5 is thrifty on fuel, nearing 30 mpg combined in the latest Miata and achieving mid-20s-mpg in the preceding generations.
These pluses make the Miata suitable for young drivers desiring a speedier but efficient first car.
This two-seat roadster is relatively affordable considering the performance:
- $28k when new,
- Under $18k for a ten-year-old, and
- Under $12k for one double that age.
You have the option of a retractable soft or hard top (called the Miata RF; more expensive).
Other two-door cars to research include:
Best First Car with 3 Doors
#3 Hyundai Veloster
The number of hatchbacks on sale stateside is dwindling, and three-door models are almost extinct.
If you have to choose a three-door vehicle still in production, the Veloster hatchback is a compelling option with qualities you’d expect from a first car.
The Hyundai Veloster’s pluses for first-time drivers include:
- Good fuel economy – 30 mpg overall with the automatic gearbox and slightly less with the manual.
- Sporty handling – predictable and precise with minimal body roll.
- Firm but comfortable – stable and composed at any speed.
- Two doors on the sides, but the car seats four adults – only taller rear passengers may complain.
- Adequate cargo space – the third door at the back opens to a 20 cubic ft. of storage.
You don’t need the higher-performance and seriously engaging Veloster N; the cheaper but still fun-to-drive standard model will suit most teenage drivers.
As with other Hyundai vehicles that make excellent first cars, the Veloster comes with plenty of features for the money and an industry-leading warranty.
Best First Cars with 4 Doors
#4 Toyota Corolla
Many compact cars with the more conventional four-door layout make up the bulk of the most popular and common first cars due to their practicality and low running costs.
But few can claim to be as reliable and economical with sustained sales success as the Toyota Corolla.
While its interior space is average for its class and speed isn’t a forte, the Corolla is a safe go-to choice for these reasons:
- Strong fuel economy – near mid-30s-mpg average for the latest Corolla, and older models are typically class-competitive.
- Ride comfort – although it doesn’t handle as sharply as a Honda or a Mazda.
- Rocksolid reliability – one of the most reliable first cars.
- Excellent crash safety – one of the safest first cars.
- Inexpensive maintenance – the cheapest among four-door compacts.
You can opt for the new-for-2020 Corolla Hybrid with impressive fuel economy – a superior 50-plus-mpg combined.
Corollas hold their value well, so buying a new Corolla is a strong cost proposition, although a used model remains a dependable and affordable option for first-time drivers.
Though this list isn’t extensive, these four-door compacts are worth considering for your first car:
- Honda Civic.
- Hyundai Elantra.
- Mazda 3.
- Kia Forte.
- Volkswagen Jetta.
#5 Honda Accord
A four-door Honda Accord is as solid as any entrant you’d find in the midsize car segment.
It’s a front-runner in a field of compelling choices, capably delivering performance, efficiency, and comfort in an attractive package.
These Accord qualities combine to make it an excellent value for money:
- Strong yet fuel-efficient engine – low-30s-mpg overall in the latest models. An Accord Hybrid gets close to 50-mpg combined.
- Sporty handling for a midsize car.
- Roomy cabin with high-quality materials.
- Spacious trunk.
- Strong safety ratings – as good as the Camry; second only to the Subaru Legacy. See the Safest First Cars post for details.
- Excellent ride comfort.
- Good visibility.
If your first car doubles as a family vehicle, the Honda Accord should more than meet your needs.
It is safe, stable at any speed, and easy to drive for beginners.
Best First Cars with 5 Doors
#6 Volkswagen Golf
Five-door vehicles are essentially a four-door plus a rear hatch – hatchbacks and station wagons fit the bill.
Unfortunately, Volkswagen discontinued the Golf after the 2021 model, after which only the higher performance GTI and Golf R live on.
The VW Golf is one of the best first cars for hatchback shoppers with:
- Plenty of cargo room for a five-door hatchback.
- Excellent ride comfort in a quiet and premium cabin.
- The squared-off design provides good outward visibility, crucial for a new driver.
- Reasonably powerful engine with strong fuel economy – above or around 30 mpg average, depending on the model year.
The rear seat accommodates two adults without complaint, and when nobody sits back there the folded seatback and hatchback design increase the car’s cargo-carrying capacity.
Used Golf models as old as ten years or more are an excellent choice for an affordable five-door first car, selling as low as $8,000.
#7 Honda Civic Hatchback
Honda Civic is an outstanding car for new drivers, and its availability in the hatchback body style means five-door car buyers get to choose a Civic.
The Civic hatchback accomplishes what the sedan body does well:
- Above-average fuel economy – over 30 mpg overall.
- Sharp handling – as much fun to drive as any Civic.
- Superior cargo capacity – segment-leading 24.5 cubic ft.
- Voluminous cabin – the largest interior of all five-door hatchbacks at over 120 cubic feet.
Besides the cavernous space, the Civic hatchback rides reasonably comfortably despite its sporty character.
The hatchback body is a relatively new addition to the Civic lineup, so the 2017 model is the oldest you can buy.
#8 Mazda 3 Hatchback
This five-door hatchback from Mazda handles as sharply as the Civic hatchback but has arguably the most premium cabin among those on the list.
Another attribute that stands the Mazda 3 hatchback above the rest is its optional all-wheel-drive system, providing wet-weather traction helpful for inexperienced drivers.
Although its cargo capacity is less than the Civic hatchback, it is on par with the VW Golf and more than the Corolla hatchback.
It delivers style and refinement in a tiny package and is a suitable first car for female drivers.
#9 Toyota Prius
With rising gas prices and the general pursuit of higher fuel economy, opting for a five-door Toyota Prius is wise for budget-minded young drivers.
It doesn’t accelerate quickly nor offers a plush accommodation, but the Prius can return 50-plus mpg with most driving styles.
The five-door wagon-like body means you get a high cargo capacity (above 27 cubic feet) and ample interior space (more than 120 cubic feet).
An all-wheel drive has been available since 2019, but the cheaper front-wheel drive in older models will suffice for most teen drivers.
Used FWD Prius models are inexpensive first cars:
- Below $12k for a ten-year-old Prius.
- Below $8k for a twenty-year-old Prius – still averages over 40 mpg.
Other five-door first cars worth considering include:
- Subaru Impreza – available in sedan and hatchback.
- Honda Fit – discontinued after 2020.
- Toyota Yaris – discontinued after 2020.
- Chevrolet Volt – discontinued after 2019.
- Ford Focus – discontinued after 2018.
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