7 First Car Brands for Teens & New Drivers (+Best Models)
Teenagers, college students, or young adults shopping for their first car will do well to focus on the more economical and reliable automotive brands.
New or used, most models these automakers produce are the perfect cars for beginner drivers.
You will find the recommended first car models under each brand.
What Makes a Good Car Brand for Beginners?
Beginners and teenage drivers lack the experience behind the wheel to safely handle the extra horsepower of pricier and more powerful vehicles.
Besides having adequate power to nurture healthy driving habits, a good first car brand should produce cars that bear these traits:
- Strong fuel economy – keeping this monthly cost low is more manageable on smaller budgets.
- Solid reliability – fewer broken parts means lower running costs.
- Inexpensive upkeep – a reliable car still requires periodic maintenance. A well-designed vehicle with plenty on the road typically points to less expensive ownership.
- Good to excellent visibility – makes driving easier and safer for first-time drivers. SUVs are amazing in this regard, but some sedans are equally up to the job.
- Top-notch safety ratings – seek the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings to put your mind at ease.
- Inexpensive insurance – safe vehicles with cheap repairs will keep premiums affordable.
- Long-serving models – decades of mass production typically means a desirable and trusted vehicle.
American and European makes are often less suitable for new drivers than their Asian counterparts.
The Top 7 First Car Brands for Students & New Drivers
Asian carmakers dominate the list, and you can’t go wrong with any of the mainstream Japanese makes.
#1 Toyota
Toyota leads the lineup of Japanese automakers and has reigned supreme in the car industry for a good part of the past century.
Toyota began producing passenger cars in the 1930s and hasn’t looked back since as it cemented its position as one of the first brands to consider, whatever the budget – its luxury brand, Lexus, is more than a match for the established European marques.
The Toyota badge commands buyers’ trust and is synonymous with reliability, solid construction, and low running costs.
The brand makes many popular first cars and, taking all essential considerations into account, the Toyota Corolla, introduced in 1966, should top any new driver’s shopping list.
Besides the compact Corolla sedan – newer models are available as hatchbacks – other models by this Japanese brand do well in expert car tests and have consistently topped the list in reliability and low maintenance costs.
While they score excellently in fuel economy and product quality, their prices remain inexpensive relative to other Japanese makes on this list.
If you’re after a highly dependable first car that won’t bother you with frequent breakdowns and high repair costs, these models are worth serious consideration:
- Toyota Corolla – compact sedan or hatchback; gasoline or hybrid.
- Toyota Camry – midsize sedan; gasoline or hybrid. Ideal for larger or taller first-time drivers if the compact Corolla’s interior is a little too tight for comfort.
- Toyota Prius & Prius Prime – the former is a mild hybrid and the latter a plug-in-hybrid capable of over 20 miles running purely on electricity. Both have a hatchback body for a broader utility that benefits college students.
- Toyota CH-R – the brand’s smallest crossover SUV.
- Toyota Corolla Cross – yes, the ever-dependable Corolla has a compact SUV version.
- Toyota RAV4 – a compact SUV that has topped American and global sales charts for over a decade.
- Toyota bZ4X – the marque’s first all-electric crossover in the small car segment.
With Toyota’s long history in the industry, finding an inexpensive yet reliable first car in the used vehicle market is easy for young drivers on smaller budgets.
#2 Honda
Honda cars are ever-present alongside other compelling first cars from other Asian automakers. They offer a unique proposition for new drivers wanting more fun in their daily commute.
Like its arch-rival, Toyota, Honda ranks among the most reliable automakers. Still, the cars’ overall handling and enjoyable driving experience stand them above the rest in the economy segment, bar the Mazdas.
Plus, Hondas typically have above-average engine power yet consistently lead their respective segments in fuel efficiency.
Build quality is another factor in the brand’s appeal, equalling some of the bests in the industry.
You pay marginally more than the equivalent from other Japanese and Korean makes, but the extra investment will repay in low running costs and ownership experience.
You aren’t short on first car options with this Japanese car brand:
- Honda Civic – sedan or hatchback. For the better-skilled desiring a spirited drive, the Civic Si makes a reasonably good first car with a practical four-door layout, livable ride comfort, and a healthy dose of horsepower without bordering excessive.
- Honda Accord – similar to the Camry, the Accord has plenty of interior space for those who need it.
- Honda Insight – a compact hybrid. The second generation (up to 2014) is a hatchback, while the third generation onwards (from 2019) is a sedan. 2022 was Insight’s final model year as Honda debuted a new Civic hybrid.
- Honda Clarity – the compact plug-in-hybrid (PHEV) version will suit teen drivers with its roomy cabin, excellent visibility, and a near-50-mile electricity-only range.
- Honda HR-V – the brand’s smallest crossover SUV.
- Honda CR-V – this compact SUV leads the segment in sales, fuel efficiency, and roominess. The elevated ride position affords excellent visibility, and the commendable interior space is a massive plus if you need superior cargo-carrying ability in a small SUV. Hybrid and AWD versions are available.
Honda is also an excellent brand for new drivers because the vehicles are easy to drive and rate among the safest first cars.
They typically have the roomiest interior and storage space for maximum utility.
#3 Mazda
Driving excitement doesn’t feature highly in a new driver’s priority, but if you want the most athletic vehicle in the economy segment, Mazdas should top your shortlist.
Affordability and thrilling performance rarely feature side-by-side, but this Japanese marque successfully combines these two traits.
Mazda cars typically cost a couple thousand dollars more than the competition, and they cannot match the Hondas and Hyundais in interior space.
Still, the sharp handling and sporty demeanor often make Mazdas the most enjoyable cars for young drivers, with some models still available in manual transmission.
Further, they have the best interior quality in their respective classes.
Plenty of Mazda models are worth considering as first cars:
- Mazda 3 – compact sedan or hatchback; automatic or manual gearbox. Mazda 3 is a solid choice for a small first car.
- Mazda 6 – midsize sedan. 2021 was the final model year, but the used ones are excellent alternatives to the Camrys, Accords, and Sonatas.
- Mazda CX-3 – an extra-small SUV but is older and smaller than the CX-30.
- Mazda CX-30 – still an extra-small SUV, but slightly larger and newer than the CX-3.
- Mazda CX-5 – a compact crossover entrant like the CX-50 (next on the list).
- Mazda CX-50 – ideal if you need added off-road and towing abilities compared to the CX-5.
- Mazda Miata – a two-seat roadster with automatic or manual transmission. The MX-5 Miata is a fun first car with a frugal engine for a sports machine.
- Mazda MX-30 – the brand’s first electric SUV. The sleek design and engaging drive will appeal to many young drivers.
If a fun-to-drive character is essential without sacrificing durability, Mazda makes some of the most reliable first cars alongside the Hondas and Toyotas.
#4 Hyundai
Hyundai represents the only car brand from Korea as it is, technically, the parent company of Kia; both brands operate independently, however.
The automaker manufactures vehicles with many qualities that new drivers seek.
Suffice to say, Hyundai is the perfect car brand for beginners and first-time buyers as their vehicles carry industry-leading warranties and are feature-packed for the money.
The driving aids and safety features are handy for less experienced drivers at a price that undercuts the well-established competition from Toyota and Honda.
Although their interior quality is more ‘basic’ compared to pricier rivals, Hyundai cars have roomy interiors and can achieve competitive fuel economy figures.
Hyundai cars’ exterior designs have improved tremendously over the years, and recent models are cool-looking vehicles, especially the hybrids and EVs.
Hyundai cars are value-for-money first cars that look as good as they are easy on the wallet:
- Hyundai Accent – this subcompact sedan may not be the most exciting, but it feels sportier and roomier than its entry-level price suggests.
- Hyundai Veloster – the Veloster hatchback is a practical first car and was available up to 2021, after which only the high-performance Veloster N persists.
- Hyundai Elantra – available in gasoline and hybrid versions. Both return high fuel economy relative to their direct competition.
- Hyundai Sonata – again, gas-powered and hybrid versions are available. Worth considering alongside the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord for ample storage space and bang for the money.
- Hyundai Kona & Kona Electric – a compelling subcompact SUV with a city-friendly footprint. They are economical yet enjoyable to drive.
- Hyundai Tucson & Tucson Hybrid – rival the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V but beat them in overall value-for-money.
- Hyundai IONIQ 5 – an electric crossover SUV with distinctive styling, sporty handling, and 300 miles of range. Plus, AWD is available for added traction.
Regardless of the model you choose, Hyundais are excellent first cars.
#5 Kia
Like its corporate cousin, Hyundai, Kia vehicles come with the longest warranty in the industry and an impressive list of technology and driving aids that benefits budget-conscious first-time buyers.
When it entered the market, the brand copied the Honda and Toyota playbook by producing economy vehicles cheaply to establish a foothold in the market.
However, Kia’s lineup today boasts an impressive range of vehicles, ranging from the most competitively priced to luxurious ones that match more illustrious rivals for less.
Still, Kia’s array of affordable mainstream cars remains the focus for teenage drivers and students on modest budgets.
Besides the price factor, Kia cars are easy to drive and inexpensive to run but have attractive designs that make them appear more expensive than you pay.
These Kia models are the least expensive in their respective classes and an excellent starting point for first-time owners:
- Kia Rio – an extra-small car available as a sedan or hatchback. It’s one of the cheapest brand-new at under $17k.
- Kia Soul – a subcompact SUV that’s roomier than other extra-small SUVs and has a quirky enough look to stand out from the crowd.
- Kia Forte – matches the compact Civic and Corolla sedans in easy-to-drive and fuel economy departments for less.
- Kia K5 – a solid choice if you need or want a midsize sedan.
- Kia Sportage – competes with the best small SUVs, the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
- Kia Niro – it’s a subcompact SUV available as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or all-electric (named Kia Niro EV).
- Kia EV6 – born as a fully electric crossover. It’s fun to drive with distinctive styling and abundant space inside for its compact body.
#6 Subaru
Subaru has long been synonymous with safe, practical, and all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicles.
If you live in a region that experiences inclement weather, Subaru is the ideal brand to choose an AWD first car with its mature four-wheel propulsion technology.
Subarus typically have solid crash safety ratings and excellent outward visibility with their relatively boxier design and plenty of glass area.
Further, their SUVs often have greater ground clearance than the competition and are excellent choices if you venture off-road occasionally.
The list of Subarus suitable as first cars aren’t as extensive, but they are excellent AWD vehicles nonetheless:
- Subaru Impreza – sedan or hatchback. The Impreza is a superb all-rounder for a first car with a solid crash safety record.
- Subaru Legacy – the brand’s midsize sedan entrant. It won a string of IIHS Top Safety Pick awards and is arguably the safest midsize sedan that money can buy.
- Subaru Crosstrek – available as gas or plug-in-hybrid compact crossover.
- Subaru Forester – a small SUV with high ground clearance for a commanding view of the road and above-average off-road ability.
- Subaru Solterra – the first EV from this Japanese carmaker. Its comfortable ride and AWD with light off-road capabilities are a bonus for adventure-driven young drivers.
#7 Nissan
Japanese brands typically make excellent first cars, but Nissan’s lineup offers a mixed bag of strong performances and below-average reliability.
That said, their SUVs of recent years have recorded better reliability scores as rated by Consumer Reports.
As long as the younger crowd sticks with Nissan’s smaller models, several good first cars are available:
- Nissan Versa – the smallest sedan among the product line. It won’t get your heart racing, but it’s well-built and economical on fuel.
- Nissan Sentra – in the small class dominated by the Civic and Corolla, the Sentra is an average performer in the various first-car aspects.
- Nissan Altima – a contender in the midsize sedan segment; not a stand-out in any first-car metric, but it’s easy to drive with optional AWD and many driver-assist systems.
- Nissan Kicks – consider it a subcompact SUV or hatchback, but Kicks is a stylish little car that makes parking in tight spaces easy.
- Nissan Rogue – Nissan’s best-selling SUV, and the third-gen Rogue is a worthy challenger to compact class leaders like the CR-V and RAV4.
References:
https://automobiles.honda.com/
https://www.hyundaiusa.com/us/en