Getting your first car is a rite of passage for many teenagers. A car is a teen’s independence and a path toward adult hood. But what cars are best for a 16-year-old with no driving experience? When it comes to a teen’s first car, there are several factors to consider. First, the car must be safe. Second, the vehicle must be reasonable to insure. Finally, the car must have a cool factor that will make the teen feel good about his first ride. With that in mind, here are five safe, economic and stylish cars that should be on every teen’s shortlist.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is available as a two door coupe, four door sedan and a five door hatchback. Currently, in its tenth generation, the Honda Civic has been an economic and stylish choice since the 1970s. With 32 miles per gallon in the city and 42 miles per gallon highway, the Civic won’t eat too far into your budget. Plus, the Civic has style for miles and will be reliable from your first drive through your college years.
Volkswagen Beetle
The VW Beetle was the first cool small car. A counterculture icon, the Beetle is still sold today as a reliable, stylish and fuel efficient two door. Because of the car’s shape, the Beetle has excellent headroom. Also, the Beetle’s unique design makes it one of the safest small cars on the road. The Beetle gets 26 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon on the highway to make a full tank of gas last more than a week.
Toyota Yaris
Toyota is known for their reliability. And the compact Yaris allows you to get bulletproof Toyota build quality for a low price. Available as a two-door coupe, four-door sedan or five-door hatchback, the Toyota Yaris is a refined little commuter that works well for city driving. Plus, the interior is rather refined for a vehicle in its price range.
Subaru BRZ
If you’re looking for a sporty car with a bit of performance, the Subaru BRZ is an excellent sports coupe that offers looks and speed for a low price. Packed with 200 horsepower, the Subaru BRZ can go from 0 to 60 in just 6.2 seconds. Fuel efficiency is respectable with 24 miles per gallon city and 33 miles per gallon highway. Overall, the Subaru BRZ is a great choice for those with a need for speed.
Chevy Cruze
The Chevy Cruze is perhaps one of the best “bang for the buck” cars you can get, brand new, for under $20,000. Available as a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback, the Chevy Cruze is packed with features normally found on more expensive cars. The interior is surprisingly roomy for a small car. You’ll want to opt for the sporty looks of the five-door hatchback to up the car’s cool factor.
Each of these five cars offer great value for teens looking to make the most out of their first ride. And you can’t go wrong with any of the above 5 choices. It is recommended, however, that you check out each of these vehicles to find out which one belongs in your high school parking space