Cool Cars For First Time Drivers
Safe and reliable, but never boring, these are the best cars for teens/first time drivers
The best car for teens is a model that parents and kids can both agree on. It has to be practical, so it can handle a move to college when the time comes. It should also look good so the teen isn’t ashamed to be seen in it. It has to be safe. Affordability helps, as does being fun to drive. In other words, it’s the Mazda3.
There are other good options for new drivers too. Digital Trends strives to spend time in every new car, and we published nearly 90 car reviews in 2019. The list of cars we think are well-suited to teens include the Hyundai Ioniq and the Subaru BRZ.
Mazda3
The best
Why should you buy this: It’s safe and reliable, but not boring.
Who’s it for: Budding car enthusiasts.
How much will it cost: $21,000+
Why we picked the Mazda 3:
The Mazda3 is a great car for teens because it’s simply a great car. It will indoctrinate them into the concept that cars can be fun and entertaining even when they have to be practical, and it also checks important boxes like reliability, value, and safety.
Unlike many other compact cars, the Mazda3 gives its driver more than just basic transportation. Handling is above average, exterior styling is pleasing to the eye, and even the base 2.0-liter engine is pretty zingy, making the most of its 155 horsepower (a 184-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder is available on higher trim levels).
Subaru BRZ
The best sports car for teens/first time drivers
Why should you buy this: It’s all the sports car you’ll ever need.
Who’s it for: Wannabe racers.
How much will it cost: $25,795+
Why we picked the Subaru BRZ:
The Subaru BRZ is exactly the kind of car enthusiasts beg car companies to make. Like its nearly identical sibling, the Toyota 86 , the BRZ is a relatively inexpensive, small rear-wheel drive sports car that offers a high ratio of fun per dollar.
With its low-slung two-door coupe body and exciting driving experience, the BRZ is one cool item. But it’s not exactly the fastest car in the world, which should be a relief to parents. The 2.0-liter flat-four engine produces 205 hp, which is enough to let the BRZ get out of its own way, but not too much for new drivers to handle.
Toyota Tacoma
The best pickup truck
Why should you buy this: It can stand up to all kinds of abuse.
Who’s it for: People with things to haul and trails to scour.
How much will it cost: $25,700+
Why we picked the Toyota Tacoma:
For someone who is just learning how to drive, it’s probably best to go with a smaller, more maneuverable truck than the full-size rigs that dominate the market. The midsize pickup truck segment has experienced a rebirth lately, with reinvigorated entries from General Motors, Jeep, Ford, and Honda showing up over the past couple of years. But Toyota has been there all along.
Audi A3
The best luxury car for first time drivers
Why should you buy this: It’s small but luxurious and high-tech.
Who’s it for: Future CEOs.
How much will it cost: $33,300
Why we picked the Audi A3:
The Audi A3 is for parents who want to spoil their kid. It’s the smallest and least expensive member of Audi’s North American lineup but it doesn’t feel cut-rate or basic. Leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and heated front seats come standard, and it’s available with technology features that trickle down from bigger models like the A4 and the A6, including the digital instrument cluster Audi calls virtual cockpit and an in-car Wi-Fi connection. If safety is a priority, it’s offered with driving aids like adaptive cruise control and park assist.
The A3 comes with a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 184 horsepower and 222 pound-feet of torque. It’s peppy enough to pass or merge on the highway but it’s not a supercar either, so parents don’t need to worry about their kid illegally drag racing on public roads. Front-wheel drive comes standard and Audi’s winter-friendly quattro all-wheel drive system is offered at an extra cost.
How we test
The Digital Trends automotive team tests vehicles through a comprehensive scrutinization process. We examine the qualities of the exterior and interior and judge them based on our expertise and experience in the context of the vehicle’s category and price range. Entertainment technology is thoroughly tested as are most safety features that can be tested in controlled environments.
Test drivers spend extensive time behind the wheel of the vehicles, conducting real-world testing, driving them on highways, back roads, as well as off-road and on race tracks when applicable.