Learning to drive was once primarily a teenage rite of passage, but that’s less true these days. According to the Federal Highway Administration, the percentage of teenagers (ages 16-19) with driver's licenses shrank from 65% in 1995 to 40% in 2021. But getting around by car is still essential for many Americans, and it opens up lots of freedom. But whether you learn to drive at 16 or 56, the “good car for a new driver” recipe is the same: it should be affordable, reliable, easy to learn, and most of all safe.
A new driver’s first concern should always be safety, as your first car is the vehicle you’ll make the most mistakes in during your time on the road, and young drivers tend to make more mistakes than older ones. To that end, we’ve chosen models that get good marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for crashworthiness but also factored in ease of use and the presence of active-safety systems like automatic emergency braking (AEB) and blind spot monitoring.
Unfortunately, getting those nice driver helpers often means spending more on a newer model, which can conflict with your second priority: affordability. This not only applies to the purchase price, but also to the costs of maintenance, fuel, insurance, parking, registration, and more. Since insurance rates are high for new drivers, it’s best to steer clear of sports cars like the Ford Mustangs, Subaru BRZs, or Porsche and big pickup trucks as well, which are harder to control, have fewer safety features and cost more to fuel and insure.
Reliability and ease of use relate back to both of the other priorities. Choosing a reliable model will keep costs down and probably safe you some frustration, and sources like J.D. Power and Consumer Reports can give you some picture of predicted dependability. Meanwhile, a car that’s easy to use and learn is one that’s going to be safer to operate.
To save you some time finding that ideal new-driver's car, we’ve done all of the leg work and compiled a list of the 10 best first cars for new drivers. Since buyers’ needs and wants vary, we’ve included a combination of cars, trucks, SUVs, and crossovers. All are priced well under $30,000 and pre-owned models featured here can be found for much less.
The Best First Cars for New Drivers in 2023
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Ford Fusion Hybrid
- Honda Civic
- Honda Fit
- Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
- Hyundai Venue
- Kia Forte
- Subaru Impreza
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Sienna
Chevrolet Equinox
We start our list with the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox crossover SUV, available with front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) and trim levels ranging from the $26,600 LS to the $33,400 Premier. This generation of Equinox dates back to 2018, but it hasn’t changed much since 2020, when a host of active-safety features, including forward automatic braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warnings with lane-keep assist, and forward collision warnings were made standard. A lightly used 2020-2023 model could save you some dough.
The Equinox competes against the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester, which are both good (but generally pricier) alternatives. The Equinox has a big back seat and up to 63.9 cubic-feet of cargo space. It’s large enough for a small family but not so large as to be cumbersome or hard to drive, and its blind spots aren’t too bad. In 2020 and 2021, it also earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from IIHS, and still earns five stars from NHTSA. The previous-generation (2010-2017) and early third-generation (2018-present) Equinoxes also got good marks, although they don’t come with the standard driver-assistance gear.
Post-2017 Equinoxes also have fairly decent reliability records and earn good scores from J.D. Power and other reliability tracking outlets. The Equinox’s 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine makes 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, which is good enough for most drivers. This efficient Chevy also returns 26 mpg city and 31 highway on regular gas.
Ford Fusion Hybrid
Ford discontinued production of the Fusion Hybrid sedan following the 2020 model year, and prices for these later Fusions are well under $20,000. There was also a plug-in hybrid, the Fusion Energi, but it costs a little more. The non-hybrid Fusion isn’t a bad vehicle either, though it doesn’t get great gas mileage by comparison. These midsize sedans are out of fashion, which is part of why Ford decided not to continue building them, but the Fusion is an engaging driver with plenty of room, a dash of style, and lots of safety features.
The FWD Fusion Hybrid can be had in a few different trim levels, all featuring a gas/electric powertrain that delivers an EPA-rated 43 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. Along with that efficiency, buyers get a comfortable midsize sedan with commendable crash-test scores, standard forward AEB and blind spot monitoring on 2017 and newer models. Lane-departure warnings and other features were also available, including a driver alertness monitor.
While hardly a hot rod, the 195-hp Fusion hybrid offers good performance and a decent reliability record. (In the mid-2000s, they were considered durable enough to find homes with NYC taxicab drivers). There’s also an easy-to-use infotainment system with integrated Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa smartphone apps.
Honda Civic
Ask a crowd of people (maybe even a small crowd) what their first new car was, and there’s a good chance you’ll hear “Honda Civic” mentioned at least a few times. Generations of car buyers have come to recognize the Civic, in all its forms, for its value and dependability. This is still true today, and both the tenth-generation (2016-2021) and current eleventh-generation (2022-present) generations of the Civic make excellent vehicles for new drivers.
Civics are relatively small cars, but not so small as to make you feel vulnerable, and the 2022 and newer models have back seats comparable to many midsize sedans like the Fusion above. It has small but mighty engines and fun but forgiving handling that communicates the limits of the car to the driver very well. There’s a very fast Type R, but that one isn’t really for new drivers. The regular Civics (all FWD) use 2.0-liter or 1.5-liter four-cylinder engines ranging from 158 to 205 hp and either a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) or a six-speed manual transmission.
All of these engines return excellent fuel economy, and the Civic’s reputation for reliability is beyond reproach. Best of all though, Honda includes an armada of driver-assist systems, including AEB with pedestrian detection and lane-departure warnings, and even manual models get adaptive cruise control. Even more gear is optional and helps contribute to the Civic’s perennial “Top Safety Pick” ratings from IIHS. All this, and the Civic’s low price, makes it an ideal first ride.
Honda Fit
Honda no longer sells its funky little five-door Fit hatchback in the U.S., but thousands of used examples can be found by searching CarGurus’ vehicle listings. Depending on the model year selected, buyers have their choice of trims ranging from the basic LX to the leather-upholstered EX-L, all of which are powered by an efficient four-cylinder engine mated to either a manual transmission or CVT. With fuel economy usually in the low-to-mid 30s and prices generally under $20,000, the Honda Fit is cheap to buy and operate.
But affordability is just one aspect of this car’s overall appeal. Like other Honda models, the Fit has built a reputation for reliability, with strong ratings from Consumer Reports and an award for dependability from J.D. Power. On top of that, the Fit has earned impressive crash-test ratings from the IIHS and the NHTSA. The Fit came with fewer standard active-safety features than the Civic and the final-generation model (2015-2020) wasn’t quite as fun as the previous iterations, but careful shopping can land you an affordable Fit with automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, and other helpful features.
And then there is the Honda Fit’s functionality. Inside, there’s realistically room for four passengers or five in a pinch, or the rear seats can be folded to create 52.7 cubic feet of usable cargo space. Like a tiny minivan, that makes the Fit a useful extra vehicle for families with a new driver in the house. It’s also a handy daily driver for urban environments or for students on a budget.
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
If the Hyundai Ioniq looks a little like a Toyota Prius, that’s entirely intentional. Hyundai saw the success of Toyota’s hybrid hatchback and decided to build one of its own. Though Toyota has since upped its game, the 2017-2022 Ioniq improved on the basic Prius recipe in a variety of ways, starting with more attractive (and less weird) exterior styling. The hatchback wrapper hid a larger interior with more comfortable front seats and considerably more room in back, as well as more cargo space behind the rear seats.
At the pump, the Ioniq went further than the Prius, returning 55 mpg combined in most trims and as much as 58 mpg in the extra-efficient Blue model, to 52 and 56 mpg combined in the Prius. Like Toyota, Hyundai also offered a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) version, and there was also a fully electric Ioniq. Both also make good “first car” choices, but they cost more and aren’t as easy to find. Though Hyundai at first bundled fewer active-safety features than the Prius, from 2020 the Ioniq included standard AEB and lane-departure warnings, with blind-spot monitoring and other systems optional and included on higher trims.
Though the Ioniq didn’t earn as many “Top Safety Pick” ratings from IIHS over its life as the Prius did in similar years, it’s a safe and easy-to-drive vehicle, though both are tepid performers. A redesigned and improved Hyundai Elantra hybrid in 2021 undercut the case for continuing the Ioniq, and the name was repurposed for the automaker’s line of Electric vehicles starting in late 2022. Nevertheless, the original Ioniq still makes a good first car.
Hyundai Venue
The Hyundai Venue is the smallest SUV on sale in the U.S. and the smallest vehicle on this list at about two inches shorter than the Honda Fit. But to call it an “SUV” stretches credulity. This is really a tall hatchback like the Fit, but with cooler crossover styling in the mold of the company’s midsize Palisade. The Venue is also among the very cheapest crossovers, starting at just $19,800 for 2024, which means used models can be had for much less. The automaker hasn’t changed it much since its 2021 debut, so used ones will save you some money.
Regardless of the price or whether you call it an SUV, the Venue comes standard with AEB, pre-collision and lane-departure warning systems, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a 121-hp engine that’s expected to return up to 33 mpg on the highway. That’s what you’ll get with the otherwise basic SE model; if you have an extra $1,000 in your budget, consider moving up to the Venue SEL with its alloy wheels, roof rails, upgraded audio system, and additional safety features.
While it’s FWD only and not particularly engaging to drive, the Venue is a safe, solid, and reliable transportation machine that’s a bit nicer than competitors like the Nissan Kicks or Ford EcoSport. The Venue, like all new Hyundais, is also backed by a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and comes with free scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles.
Kia Forte
Like the Honda Civic, the Kia Forte is cheap, reliable, roomy, and packed with standard safety features. Last redesigned in 2019, this generation of Forte comes only as a compact four-door sedan, but its back and trunk (15.7 cubic feet) are huge for a car of this size. Brand new, the 2024 Kia Forte starts at just $19,960 but includes AEB, lane-departure warnings, lane-following, and forward collision warnings. Even more is found on higher trims, and they’re cheap too. The enthusiast-focused Forte GT tops out at $25,190.
Most new drivers won’t want the turbocharged, 201-hp GT, although it’s comparable to the Civic Si, and both come with manual transmissions. The regular Fortes use a 2.0-liter non-turbo four-cylinder making 147 hp and a CVT. All are FWD. While not exciting, the standard Fortes don’t lack for power and they’re smooth, quiet, smooth-riding and easy to operate. They also return 29 mpg around town and 39 mpg on the highway, very good figures.
Fortes use an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, and like the vehicle itself, Kia’s system is very simple to learn and operate. Options include navigation, adaptive cruise control, wireless charging, an upgraded Harman Kardon sound system, and more. Plus, all Fortes come with Kia’s lengthy warranty coverage. Though it didn’t earn the label in 2023, this generation of Forte has previously been labeled a “Top Safety Pick” by IIHS and has a decent reliability record.
Subaru Impreza
A winner of many “Top Safety Pick” and “Top Safety Pick+” awards from the IIHS, the Subaru Impreza has been freshly redesigned for 2024 and already earned top marks from the safety rating organization. It’d be a stretch to call this Impreza “all-new,” however, as it’s closely based on the previous-generation 2017-2023 model and retains the engines, standard symmetrical AWD system, and extensive safety systems of that car.
While the 2024 model has many incremental improvements, cooler styling, and now comes only as a hatchback, the previous generation is just as attractive for new drivers, and it costs less. You can also get that earlier one as a four-door sedan if you like, although the hatch is more useful. Subaru’s AWD system offers good traction in all manner of environments, and Subaru also bundles in its EyeSight safety suite, a comprehensive and standard set of driver-assist features including everything from basics like AEB to adaptive cruise control with lane-centering.
As in previous model years, 2024 Imprezas use 2.0- or 2.5-liter flat-four engines making 152 or 182 hp, but the old manual-transmission option is gone, meaning all now use CVTs. Since the old manual models had to forego many of the EyeSight features, that’s not much of a loss, but the Impreza isn’t much fun to drive, even in 182-hp RS form, or particularly fuel-efficient. Subaru engines also tend to need head gasket repairs later in life, but for models from the last few years, predicted reliability is good.
Toyota Corolla
As generations of young drivers have learned since 1966, it’s hard to go too far wrong with a Toyota Corolla, and there’s a version for just about everyone nowadays. For 2024 Toyota offers everything from the basic L sedan to the sporty XSE and GR hatchbacks, and even an SUV in the form of the new-in-2022 Corolla Cross. There’s a fuel-sipping hybrid variant, too, as well as an available manual transmission for those who like to row their own gears.
With prices starting just a hair below $22,000, the 2024 Corolla isn’t exactly cheap, but it is relatively affordable and, thanks to its strong record of reliability, should provide faithful service for years to come. It’s also been repeatedly named an IIHS “Top Safety Pick,” including in 2023 when the rating organization significantly tightened its standards for that award. The downsides of the Corolla? Except for the wild GR, which isn’t meant for new drivers, it’s not very fun to drive, and the back seat is small even in the SUV version. The Corolla hatchback has the smallest rear seating area in the compact car class.
If a new Corolla doesn’t fit your budget, the used-car market is chock full of low-mileage examples that deliver comparable efficiency and value, albeit without some of the newer model’s upgrades. Many are offered with a Toyota-certified warranty that provides limited roadside assistance and 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage. For first time drivers looking for a similar margin of safety and reliability in a bigger package, the Toyota Camry beckons.
Toyota Sienna
Very few new adult drivers will choose a minivan as their first vehicle, but for families with teenagers learning to drive, a minivan that can serve the family and be used for a young or new driver is a good option. The current-generation Sienna, new for the 2021 model year and largely unchanged since, isn’t as utilitarian or satisfying to drive as options like the Chrysler Pacifica or Honda Odyssey, but it has a few aces up its sleeve.
Those advantages start with the Sienna’s rock-solid reputation for reliability, which dates back all the way to the original version from the 1990s. Since then, however, the model also acquired a standard hybrid drivetrain and optional AWD. The Pacifica offers a hybrid, but no other Minivan currently offers AWD. In standard FWD form, the 2024 Toyota Sienna gets 36 mpg, and with AWD it falls to only 35, which is 30-35% better than any other minivan except for the much pricier Pacifica plug-in hybrid.
Toyota has also long bundled in lots of safety gear, including AEB and adaptive cruise control. Many competitors offer those things now, but they make used Siennas more attractive. As with other minivans, the Sienna has a cavernous interior, though its seats are not as configurable as its rivals. It’s a decent camper, and young drivers relocating for school or possibly a new job might also be well served by its 3,500-pound tow rating. While an unlikely “first car,” the safe, affordable, easy to operate, and reliable Sienna checks all the boxes.