When considering what makes the best car model for a new driver, the qualities of safety and “easy to drive” are at the top of the list. For this reason, compact Volkswagen’s like the Golf and Passat have consistently retained a following with young adults. They are both safe and easy to drive. Investing in a new car, as opposed to sending your daughter off in a big old beater, makes sense. Your son or daughter may not show the same level of deference against minor accidents and risks like someone given a valuable present to upkeep.
Second on this list are the reliable Japanese models manufactured by Toyota, Honda, Subaru, and Nissan. These cars are more reliable than their German counterparts, with many of the same fun to drive factors. The Honda Accord, CR-V, HR-V, and Fit models are all excellent choices, according to consumer reports. The Toyota Camry, Corolla, Prius, Yaris, and RAV4, have always been reliable favorites for college students. The Subaru Legacy, Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek are great cars that any young driver would instantly love. The Nissan Rogue and Altima are strong commuter cars for a young driver who will spend a lot of time on the highways.
In large part due to the testosterone levels in young men taunting them to act more competitively, it may be wise to take away some of the sporty features and downgrade your son’s auto into an easy to drive Ford Fusion. Some of the Kia and Hyundai models may also do a fine job of providing your son with a great car that doesn’t tempt him to street race. If your son is set on a sportier model, you can tell him that with a few years of responsible driving and hard work he can trade in his current model for whatever he desires. This way you have your son prove his roadworthiness and safety consciousness before he is tempted to push a performance vehicle.
Learning to drive can be a lot like learning how to play classical music on the piano. It is progressive. And once you have mastered the skills; there is no pausing, thinking, or trepidation; you simply know what to do. By practicing such skills like “counting to four” before carefully rolling out of a dead stop and showing hesitation at busy merger lanes, the driver develops a subconscious security blanket that no technology can compensate for in the alternative. No matter how many gadgets and safety features you upgrade to protect young drivers, they will not benefit one iota if they have neglected to master the textbook principles of safe driving.
The Kia Forte, Niro, Optima, Sportage, and Soul, are all reliable and safe cars that new drivers can learn in before racing off into the sunset. German cars like Volkswagen tend to have a compulsion of their own to desire more speed in the manner they are engineered to flow with your own momentum. The Hyundai Sonata, Santa Fe, and Elantra are some decent first-time cars that will help you economize for other important purchases.
For more information, read the in-depth Consumer Report reviews of these models and more.