There are a ton of cars out there for new drivers to consider. It seems like you can’t turn your head without seeing an add for some new vehicle. But which cars are the best for new drivers? It can be very difficult to narrow down which one is right.
So, your kid’s about to get their own car for the first time. What features does it need to have? Surely, your biggest concern is the safety rating of the vehicle. More than anything, you need a car that has the best safety ratings to keep them from getting hurt. But that’s not the only consideration! Let’s look at some of the best cars for new drivers.
The Best Cars for New Drivers
Ford Focus
The $17,00 starting price for the Ford Focus makes it a solid entry point for any new driver. The vehicle is sleek and stylish, so it’ll please many new drivers for just its looks! It sports a great motor for a new driver, with enough power to get them where they need to go but not so much that they’ll get into trouble!
The Focus is also a leader in safety in its class. Seven airbags make it unlikely that any crash will occur without an airbag deploying to protect the people inside. The car’s doors are also inlaid with boron-steel beams that are incredibly dense and hard to break, keeping the driver quite safe. In addition to that, the vehicle sports a handy back-up camera.
Toyota Corolla
Much like the Ford Focus, the Toyota Corolla costs a budget price of $17,000, making it a great starter car. It’s not just that low price that makes it a great pick: it’s also got a five-star safety rating. The car isn’t exactly “cool,” but it is a solid pick for a new driver thanks to its stellar safety features.
For one thing, it’s loaded with airbags. There are eight airbags in the vehicle standard, and this ensures that any direction someone goes that they’ll be caught by an airbag. The seats were specially constructed to reduce the likelihood of whiplash, as well, making this a great pick for newer, inexperienced drivers.
Other great features include the great gas mileage, stellar reliability and exceptional handling. In all, the Corolla is an easy vehicle to take care of and drive around for any new driver. You can rest assured that your kid will be safe in a Corolla, which is something you can’t put a price on.
VW Jetta
What’s not to love about the Jetta? Okay, the looks, maybe, but that’s no huge concern. Your first-time driver doesn’t need a muscle car to race around with their buddies, right? The Jetta is a great, sensible vehicle for new drivers thanks to its reliability, safety ratings and low introductory price.
The Jetta starts at $16,000, making it a great buy for the money. The vehicle also boasts an impressive five-star safety rating, like the Corolla, putting it in great company. It sports an Electronic Stability Control System that is said to reduce accidents by as much as 33% among all drivers.
JD Power also rated the Jetta five-stars for reliability, meaning you know the youngster won’t have to worry about the thing breaking down on them somewhere. Additionally, adaptive traction control and six standard airbags don’t hurt to seal the deal for this new-driver friendly vehicle!
Honda Civic
Blending sleek looks, a fun drive and Honda reliability, the Honda Civic is a great all-around car. If your first-time driver needs a reliable and safe starter car, there’s no better place to go than Honda. This IIHS Top Safety Pick is far and away a favorite of new drivers and offers no shortage of reliability.
It’s a bit pricier than some cars on this list, starting around $180,000, but it does offer a lot for that price. Standard backup camera, eco-boost drive modes and daytime running lights are all great features to help put this car over some of the competition.
The efficient fuel-economy is nothing to scoff at either, helping to keep the costs of owning the car lower. Thanks to its high safety ratings, it will also likely result in less injury to the driver. This is due in large part to the stellar Advanced Compatibility Engineering body it sports, which promises to keep drivers safe.
Conclusion
These are all great picks for any new driver. Those looking to safe money and protect their young drivers could feel safe going with any of these top picks for safety and reliability.