6. Toyota Prius c
The Prius c is a good compromise between affordability and fuel economy. At $19,080, it’s cheaper than the original Prius ($24,200), but gets significantly better fuel economy (53 mpg city, 46 mpg highway) than the slightly less expensive Honda Insight ($18,600; 41/44 mpg).
Toyota intended the Prius c to be an entry level model into a “family” of hybrids. Hopefully that means owners will get good deals when they trade in their cars for bigger models.
7. Chevrolet Spark
The high prices and low ranges of electric cars make them less than ideal for new drivers, but anyone more interested in saving the planet than being practical should consider the Chevy Spark EV.
The Spark undercuts the Nissan Leaf in both price and size, making it perfect for younger drivers who don’t need a midsize vehicle. Yet its more substantial than the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, which is based on a tiny Japanese-market kei-car.
The Spark’s 400 pound-feet of torque should also make it decently entertaining to drive.
8. Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Miata is a great first car because it will teach its owner the joys of driving. It’s the embodiment of the phrase “fun to drive,” thanks to its light weight and nimble rear-wheel drive chassis.
That doesn’t mean that parents need to worry about their kids getting out of control. The Miata is definitely fun, but it’s not really fast.
Like other Japanese cars, the Miata is also known for reliability. It’s also incredibly cheap, whether you buy new or dip into the seemingly limitless supply of used examples.
9. Nissan Juke
Car companies are always trying to pitch oddball cars, like the Kia Soul and the Hyundai Veloster, to young drivers for no apparent reason. They only seem to make sense as first cars because anyone over the age of 30 would be embarrassed to be seen in one.
The Nissan Juke is one of these cars, but somehow it manages to be cool. It’s truly different, blurring the line between CUV and compact hatchback. It has a high driving position, but also handles like a car. Its styling is so ugly that it’s actually kind of cute.
10. Hyundai Sonata SE
Built in the U.S., Sonata is another midsize sedan. It provides gobs of interior room and a comfortable cabin. In addition to Consumer Reports grading its reliability as 29% above average, Sonata has one of the best warranties in the industry, with its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
A 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine is mated to a driver-shiftable, 6-speed automatic transmission.
Sonata’s air bag count is 7, including a driver-side knee bag. For some extra cash, Hyundai offers additional safety features, such as lane-departure warning, blind-spot detection and forward-collision warning.