Top 5 best cars for a new driver
Valerie Raskovic
I remember the day my little sister got her license. My dad wanted to buy her a tank, while my mom wanted something that got 40 mpg and came with a 10-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. The compromise they finally landed on was a gently used 2018 Subaru Impreza Sport, which ended up costing less than either of them expected and more importantly, it is still running strong to this day.
If you’re shopping for a first car for yourself or your son or daughter, the good news is that the market is packed with good, safe, reliable and economic options. After digging through IIHS crash-test scores, Consumer Reports reliability charts and average insurance premiums for 16- to 19-year-olds, these five kept floating to the top.
1. 2018-2021 Toyota Corolla (Hatch or Sedan)
This car has been the IIHS Top Safety Pick every year since 2018 (with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 standard). It has a 94/100 CR reliability score for the ’19-’21 models years. It also has the advantage of being inexpensive to insure. According to GEICO, an average 12-month insurance premium for a 17-year-old is $1,260 (GEICO national average, liability + collision, good-student discount).
Why we chose this car as our top pick is because it offers the best balance between value, reliability and safety. It is a perfect choice for new drivers. It has compliant driving characteristics, without any unpleasant surprises, or drama. Lane-keep assist and automatic emergency braking are standard even on the base trim. Additionally, its small size is perfect for first time drivers, making parallel parking a breeze, especially if you opt for the hatchback version. It also holds its value like no other; even high mileage examples can still fetch a decent premium. It is not uncommon to see people sell their gently used Toyota Corollas for just a fraction less than what they originally purchased them for 2 or 3 years prior.
2. 2018-2020 Subaru Crosstrek
The Subaru Crosstrek is a unique pick, as it is the only vehicle on our list that comes with a full-time symmetrical all-wheel drive system. In addition to being able to traverse challenging terrain, snow and mud, you can rest assured knowing that the Crosstrek has a 5-star NHTSA overall rating and gets a good IIHS score in every crash category.
While a lot of the earlier Subaru models equipped with the CVT transmission had some issues with reliability related to internal transmission faults, the new Subaru models equipped with the CVT transmission are considered reliable, with the issues plaguing the older models considered sorted. The modern Crosstrek made between the years of 2018 and 2026 is considered a reliable vehicle.
Beyond the bulletproof all-wheel drive system, this pick has some additional advantages. Based on the Subaru Impreza, it has all the practicality of a small hatchback while giving the driver the perfect view of the road, with its lifted suspension helping you see over parked vehicles. Due to its lower-than-average insurance loss rate, it also offers the added advantage of having cheaper insurance premiums than other popular SUVs and crossovers.
The Subaru Crosstrek is also an economical option, as it is not uncommon to get over 30 mpg on the highway and with mixed driving you can expect numbers in the mid -20’s.
3. 2018-2022 Honda Civic
While the Honda Civic may not have the AWD superpowers of the Subaru, it is a strong contender. As the IIHS Top Safety Pick + alongside a 5-star overall NHTSA rating, the Civic is a safe choice.
Depending on the trim you select, you can get as much as 50 MPG which makes it a very economical option. Also, if you worry that you have to pay extra for this level of efficiency, I have good news for you. Even the mid-range models get over 40 MPG on the highway and at today’s gas prices, you’re saving roughly $500 a year versus a 30-mpg compact.
As far as unexpected expenses and ownership costs go, the Honda Civic is renowned for its reliability and low ownership costs. Going beyond material quality, most Hondas are made in such a way that they are easier and cheaper to repair than a lot of their rivals. This can be attributed to vehicle design and parts costs, which all have an influence on insurance rates as well. Except for the Type-R high-performance model, the Honda Civic is generally cheaper to insure than some rivals like Kia and Nissan.
4. 2019-2021 Mazda 3 (Sedan or Hatch)
The Mazda 3 is a fun-to-drive compact that, just like the other vehicles on our list, offers a lot of similar benefits. It has a “Good +” IIHS on every trim starting with 2019 models. It also has a 5-star rating from the NHTSA. It is often praised for strong standard safety features and collision avoidance technology.
While the Mazda 3 does not have the legendary reliability of a Toyota Corolla or a Honda Civic, it is still considered a very reliable choice. With only 2.3% of 2020 models reported to have engine or tranny issues, it is considered amongst the top within its class.
The car is also relatively inexpensive to insure. The average annual insurance rate for teen drivers hovers around $1,310 which slightly beats out the Honda Civic. It is also economical when it comes to fuel economy; depending on the type of transmission selected, it can range anywhere between 24 city and 41 highway MPG.
While the Mazda 3 does not come with standard AWD like the Subaru Crosstrek, it can be optioned with it. Additionally, Mazda’s G-Vectoring Plus technology is able to subtly trim torque when you turn in, making the car feel planted and very compliant under extreme cornering. This may be a great feature for young drivers who panic and yank the wheel in the rain.
Newer Mazda’s also come with the additional benefits in the interior department. It looks like the interior punches two weight classes above its price. Many models come with opulent leatherette seats, premium infotainment features and superb fit and finish rivaling some premium European vehicles.
5. 2012-2024 Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry set the standard with its legendary reliability, strong resale value and low cost of ownership. It has all of the benefits of the Toyota Corolla in a slightly larger mid-size platform. Just like its smaller counterpart, it has earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It has also won multiple IIHS Top Safety Pick awards with strong crash tests and collision avoidance safety features.
While the Toyota Camry may have a slightly higher cost of ownership than that of the Toyota Corolla, primarily due to its size and slightly diminished fuel economy numbers, it is still amongst the most budget-friendly vehicles you can buy today. With the 2024 LE 4-cylinder models averaging 27 city and 39 highway MPG, it is just a few MPG lower than the Corolla.
It shares a lot of the other benefits of the Corolla, like ease of repair and low-cost parts making this an ideal option for someone that wants a reliable mid-size sedan that will run trouble-free year on end with just regular service.
Parting advice
We chose conventional internal combustion models over Hybrids and EVs based on a multitude of factors, such as 5-year average cost of ownership with 12,000 miles being driven annually, reliability projections and initial purchase price. While many hybrid versions of models in this list may offer improved MPG, they may come with additional service items that may increase the cost of ownership beyond the fuel savings. However, that increased cost of ownership may be offset by those of you that plan to do a lot of driving, in which case the savings derived from improved MPG may easily exceed any costs associated with the initial purchase premium and maintenance.
Our general advice for new drivers is to skip the 300-hp “high performance” trims; your insurance broker will thank you. Buy the newest car your budget allows. Always do your research when buying a used car. Have it professionally inspected and always check the vehicle history report prior to purchase.
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