1988 Toyota Corolla. While that wasn’t the vehicle I officially passed my driving test in – that was a rather dreary Ford Ka – it was my daily driver after finally ridding the back bumper of the learner plate. It had no anti-lock brakes, steering so heavy at slow speeds that it could crack your collarbone, and a peppy 1.6-liter GT-i four-cylinder that would come alive only when the engine revs drowned out the aftermarket stereo. And I loved it immensely, and anyone who did not have an ’88 Corolla hatchback as their first car, to this driver at least, is a fool. Sadly, since none of our editors started their motoring journeys in the Corolla, and since they’re a spiteful bunch, the below list of perfect cars for first-time drivers does not include even one Corolla.A bit of admin before we start. While it was tempting to zero in on ‘fun’ first cars, stack the list with second-hand Mini Coopers, Lotus Elises, and E46 BMW 3 Series and call an early lunch, we’ve taken a more practical approach. None of the models on this list are more than one generation old in their respective line-ups. Given the importance of safety, most of them have been judged either ‘Best’ or ‘Very Good’ choices for first-time drivers in a joint study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the independent Consumer Reports. And at least one example of each model was found on the CarBuzz Marketplace for less than the price of a brand-new, 2026 Toyota Corolla hatchback. 2020 Subaru Legacy 2020 Subaru Legacy-1We know. Subaru fans would recommend the smaller, sprightlier Impreza hatchback instead – your writer among them – and, with the station wagon binned in 2008, the Subaru Legacy sedan has lost significant clout since then. The updated 2020 model, however, is said to be the most capable handling, and easily the best-looking, Legacy yet, adding in a plush and spacious cabin, a strong IIHS rating, and all-wheel drive for good measure (Subaru’s EyeSight driver assistance technology comes as standard even on the base model). Granted, between the $10,000 and $20,000 mark, the more sluggish 2.5-liter four-cylinder is the only realistic engine option over the 2.4-liter turbo, but what you lose in nippy acceleration, you gain back on fuel economy. Added bonus, according to Insurify, the Legacy was also among the top five cheapest cars to insure in 2024/2025. 2016 Nissan Sentra 2016 Nissan Sentra-3That the Nissan Sentra has never been the most charismatic of vehicles is putting it very lightly – “More bluntly, it will bore you out of your mind.” Ed – And yes, this does deny the V6-engined, ‘sports car in a sedan’ Maxima a place on this list. Couple of things though. Not only are second-hand prices more competitive for the slightly smaller Sentra, low MSRPs for even top-spec, post-facelift Sentras mean you’ll likely get more for less, second-hand. Even the mileage on most models we found was lower too. And while IIHS’ safety rating for the 2020 Maxima was incrementally better, parents of first-time drivers will no doubt prefer their inexperienced infants were at the wheel of a dull but dependable four-cylinder rather than a 300-horsepower V6 ‘sports’ sedan that tended to understeer, right? 2022 Hyundai Tucson 2022 Hyundai Tucson-3Let’s start with the bad news. The updated Hyundai Tucson’s surprisingly good durability means your second-hand options are sparser compared with Honda’s rival CR-V. And for anything around the $10-$15,000 mark, mileage is going to be high. Happily though, and unlike times of old, even high-mileage contemporary Tucsons can outshine the likes of Honda, Toyota and even Volkswagen in terms of fit and finish, as well as practicality: a longer wheelbase means rear legroom and cargo space is bigger than the CR-V and the Tiguan. As Hyundai’s best-seller in the US since its launch, servicing and maintenance costs shouldn’t break the bank either. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder is a bit gutless, true – don’t hold out too much hope for the plug-in hybrid at these prices – but, thanks to a wider base and lower ride height, the Tucson drives like a car but with the IIHS safety standards of an SUV. 2015 Kia Soul 2014 Kia Soul-5From one SUV to an admittedly rogue second option here, we have the survivor of the 21st century ‘box car’ war, the Kia Soul (the Honda Element and the Nissan Cube are long gone). Don’t let those proportions fool you though: the 2015 second-generation Soul is actually shorter than its predecessor and not that much longer than our next entry, making it less intimidating behind the wheel. Power is either 130 hp from a smooth 1.6-liter four-cylinder, or a still very manageable 164 hp from the larger 2.0-liter example. And, good news, many of the second-hand options you’ll find will come equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox (it’s never too late to learn…). In terms of safety, the IIHS has pinned its colors squarely to the K5 sedan pole, though the Soul is, admittedly, only a beat or two behind. Throw in a quirky look that’s bound to appeal, and this rogue choice turns out to be surprisingly practical. 2015 Volkswagen Golf 2015 Volkswagen Golf-5In years gone by, on another news desk, a simple question from our editor stumped us completely: “can anyone think of anything wrong with the Mk.7 Volkswagen Golf?” Panicked, one of our number suggested that the ‘woomph’ as the driver’s door closed was perhaps a hair too aggressive, but that really was it. With beautifully neutral balance, a punchy four-cylinder, on-point handling, a wonderfully cushioned ride, and bags of cabin space, there’s very little you can’t learn about driving from the seventh-gen Golf. The only reason the V-Dub isn’t our number one choice are the loftier asking prices for even high-mileage examples, and it’s lower, though by no means disappointing, safety score compared with the other models on our list. 2018 Toyota Camry 2017 Toyota Camry-4Would a list like this be complete without at least one Toyota? Not really, since the Japanese brand is more reliable than gravity. Hence, why this mid-sized sedan isn’t the only Toyota on this list (spoiler…), and why many of the $8,000-plus second-hand options we found had six-plus figure mileages. Still, engine options range from the dependable 2.5-liter four-cylinder to the slightly pokier V6, and, while fuel economy does suffer slightly with the latter, it’s still a long way from Mustang V8 territory, so your wallet will thank you. Trim options are plentiful – our first three examples included the basic L to the all-wheel drive optional XSE, and, thanks to the XV70-gen’s new platform, this Toyota Camry is not only as comfortable as ever, you could even call it ‘fun’ to drive… kind of. 2015 Volvo S60 2015 Volvo S60-1‘Volvo’ is as synonymous with ‘safety’ as ‘Turner’ is with ‘Hooch,’ and ‘Do Wah Diddy’ with ‘Diddy Dum Diddy Do.’ Arguably then, there are few better options for a first-time driver than the Swedish brand. So much so that, while the second-generation model we’ve chosen doesn’t quite match the heavily updated 2021 model, it still packs a five-star crash test rating. Elements that, incidentally, have made the Swedish brand among the cheapest to insure too. As a pseudo-rival, the 2015 Volvo S60 struggled to match the BMW 3 Series in terms of sheer dynamism, but the mid-sized sedan suddenly doesn’t lack driving engagement. Moreover, where the turbocharged T5 four-cylinder fell short on power, it makes up for on fuel economy. And, an added bonus, your search will even spring up a few reasonably-priced turbo-supercharged T6 examples too. 2017 Toyota Prius 2017 Toyota Prius Prime Probably the most contentious entry here, given that the Toyota Prius both a landmark hybrid – heresy! – and boasts probably the most polarizing styling on this list. Second-hand prices, admittedly, might make you think twice, since some admittedly high-mileage, entry-level ‘Eco’ models we found are available from as low as $13,000, while the more advanced all-wheel drive examples enter the chat from just over $5,000 more. Lackadaisical acceleration and a little too much body roll are other drawbacks too. Having said that, the fourth-gen Prius is stuffed to its sculpted gills with plenty of driver assistance tech. Build quality is second to none in this segment, meaning even white-knuckling first-time drivers won’t rip off a trim piece. And, those heftier asking prices will be more than made back with, easily, the best fuel economy figure on this list. 2022 Honda Civic 2022 Honda Civic Sedan Touring-1If there’s one hatchback/sedan as dependable as the Toyota Corolla, it’s surely the Honda Civic. And while earlier, vaunted iterations like the early ‘90s fifth-generation hatchback and the early 2000s EP are more tempting (your writer even added the latter to his analog dashboard hall of fame), new drivers won’t go wrong with the latest Civic. Minus fleeting complaints about creaking panels, the Civic is as reliable as it gets – Honda, as a brand, is comfortably in Consumer Report’s top four – and, as either a hatchback or a sedan, is ruthlessly practical and comfortable too.With examples available from just under $13,000, or less than $7,000 if you step back to the equally dependable if slightly less refined tenth-generation, it’s great value too. Type-R-levels of driving dynamics are tens of thousands of dollars out of reach and are likely to give your insurance provider a hernia. But, with a stiffer chassis underneath from 2016 onward, new drivers will be surprised how satisfying the Civic can be to drive. 2019 Mazda 3 2019 Mazda3 Sedan-4In terms of sheer numbers, the Mazda3 never rivaled the brash popularity of either the Honda Civic, the Toyota Corolla or indeed the Subaru Impreza it directly rivaled. Hence, why the range has been streamlined for 2026. The Mazda3 hatchback did, however, feature a more refined, if not quite opulent, cabin – particularly if you opt for 2019 or younger models from just a shade over $10,000 – and featured a comparatively generously sized rear bench and cargo area. Impressively, even the lowest priced examples include the Select trim, meaning you can realistically choose between a base-level 2.0-liter four-cylinder and the peppier 2.5.-liter example. The latter of which, incidentally, was also available with a six-speed manual. It looks striking, drives confidently, and, in terms of reliability, CR even puts Mazda third behind only Lexus and Toyota. For low prices, practicality, peace of mind and driving engagement, few, surprisingly, can match the Mazda3. Turns out popularity isn’t everything.Source: Respective Automakers