Car makers have a love-hate relationship with young people. Youthful demographics are among the most desirable in the car market, but people who wear suits are also concerned that teenagers and 20-somethings are more interested in smartphones than cars.
Regardless, most people will need a set of wheels eventually. The question is: What kind? Here is a list of sensible choices spanning multiple categories. While some models listed here (and the categories themselves) are very new, most are available on the used market at a significant discount. New or used, these cars combine value, reliability, and safety without being tragically underwhelming.
1. Honda Fit
The Fit is one of the last glimmers of Honda’s past greatness. Honda used to be known for small, simple cars like the CVCC and CRX that were economical, reliable, and fun to drive.
The Fit isn’t as sporty as the original CRX, but it is economical, reliable, and doesn’t feel like a toy or a car built to a price. Instead, it feels like a real car that happens to be small.
It’s also surprisingly roomy, with trick folding rear seats providing wagon-like cargo space. That could come in handy for future moves to and from college dorms.
2. Mazda : Hatchback/Sedan
The Mazda3 covers all of the first car bases: it’s reliable, affordable, and a high performer in crash tests. Added benefits include high-fuel economy, above-average handling, and an interior eloquently mirroring luxury sedans, rendering it ideal for the new driver possessing an affinity for the design of a much more expensive vehicle.
Though it’s sure to be please parents given its safety ratings, the Mazda3 also has a long list of available tech features aimed to satisfy the appetites of today’s young, tech-savvy drivers. Moreover, the 2.0-liter engine provides just enough kick it up to highway speeds, but not enough to truly capitalize on those youthful inclinations to speed over legal velocities.
3. Toyota Tacoma
The car industry is shying away from compact trucks, but something less gargantuan than an F-150 or Tundra would be a good choice for a new driver. Learning how to drive one is much easier when you can see the end of the hood.
Like all Toyotas, the Tacoma is also legendarily reliable. After the apocalypse, the only things left on Earth will be some cockroaches, Keith Richards, and Toyota trucks.
4. Toyota 86
Most teenagers don’t have many possessions or children to lug around, so it’s the perfect time to buy an impractical car.
Like its twin, the Subaru BRZ, the Toyota 86 is powered by a 2.0-liter flat-four engine that makes 205 horsepower and 156 pound-feet of torque. That’s enough oomph to have a little bit of fun behind the wheel, but not enough to completely overwhelm the average new driver. As an added bonus, it’s offered with an enthusiast-approved six-speed manual transmission.
5. Jeep Renagade
The Renegade is the smallest model Jeep has ever built. It’s consequently better adapted to city driving than bigger SUVs like the Grand Cherokee, but it’s still reasonably capable once the going gets tough.
The interior is better than average for the segment. The touch screen-based Uconnect infotainment system is one of the more straight-forward units on the market.
Of course, there are plenty of other affordable, car-based crossovers on the market, but few of them boast the Renegade’s off-road abilities. If you’re looking to leave the pavement, the Renegade should be near the top of your list.
