Best Cars for First Time Car Buyers – Our 9 Top Picks, And Why We Like Them
Scotty Reiss
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You (or your child) just graduated from college or landed that dream job. Now, it’s time to buy a car. A brand new car filled with technology and reeking of new car smell. A car that rewards your accomplishment with conveniences and luxuries, that makes you smile and that looks good on you.
The good news is, you don’t have to walk off the dealer’s lot “car-poor.” The best cars are value-packed and come in significantly under the average new-car price of $49,000 (yes, that’s the average) so you don’t have to make compromises on what you want or need in a new car.
Here are our favorites and what we like about them for first time car buyers.
The First Ever Buick Envista Has Us Enchanted, Priced From $22,400
The Buick Envista may be the design of the decade. We were instantly smitten with this car when we first saw it last year: It’s toned lines, pert front nose and elegantly swooping roof line frame what may be one of the most beautiful cars on the road. And, you can match that beauty with the Avenir interior–white leather with a bespoke look and feel–for less than $30,000.
Buick rolled out the Envista as the first of its full overhaul of the line and to embody the brand’s commitment to design and aesthetics over performance specs. The Envista’s interior is anchored by an expansive single pane multimedia system and a under the hood is a 3 cylinder engine that generates 137 HP, enough power to give you plenty of confidence on the road.
The Envista’s Interior is a “Best Car” Best
This may be the thing we like the most about Buick Envista: an interior that is far more elegant, and in the Avenir trim, more expensive than you might expect at this price. From the flat bottom steering wheel to the elegant new logo on the steering wheel, you’re surrounded by beautiful, world-class design. See more inside the Buick Envista here.
One of Our Fave Best Cars, Chevrolet Trax, Priced from $20,400
The Chevrolet Trax is one of the best cars a first-time car buyer can buy, hands down. The starting price alone gives it an edge over almost any other car–SUV or sedan–out there, with two caveats: It is only available in front wheel drive and it has a 3-cylinder turbo engine that generates 137 HP. That’s low on the performance scale, but after driving it for a week, we feel confident in saying the Chevy Trax is a competent partner on the road.
If the smaller engine and lack of AWD is fine with you, take a look at all you get for $20K: wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a full suite of driver assist features, an HD rear view camera and plenty of USB ports. But for just $4K more you’ll get the larger 11″ touch screen, leatherette seating, wireless charging, a sunroof and keyless entry– to start. The RS model, also just a $4K upgrade, includes lots of stylish details like a black grille and sporty wheels.
Related: 2024 Chevrolet Trax: This Could Possibly Be Your Ideal First (or Last) Car
The Modern Look of Chevrolet, Now in its Most Affordable SUV
If you’ve ever looked at the first generation Chevy Trax, be prepared to be shocked. The next generation, starting with the 2023 model, is longer, larger and better outfitted. While we loved the original for its realization that many of us love SUVs but don’t want to spend a fortune to drive one, this version of the Trax takes that idea further: We all deserve a beautifully designed car inside and out. See more of the Chevrolet Trax here.
Say Hello to My Friend, Toyota Camry, Priced From $28,400
If there’s a car that just gets better and better with age, it’s the Toyota Camry. For 2024 it was redesigned, plugging in even more of its NASCAR DNA and adding hybrid engine technology across the entire lineup. There isn’t even a choice any more. They’re all hybrid.
And that’s a great thing; now the Camry comes in a single engine option, a 4 cylinder hybrid that generates about 232 HP and about 50 MPG– depending on whether or not it’s AWD, which is an option on all models, too> Toyota has loaded the Camry with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, a wide multimedia screen with lots of features and a roomy interior. And then, there’s the Camry’s drive experience. It’s pure fun.
Related: 2025 Toyota Camry First Drive: Surprise! Sportier, Fancier and Now, All Hybrid
The Sports Car Inspo Continues Inside the Toyota Camry
From the red leather seating to the sporty gear selector, the Camry is designed for fun driving. The multimedia system is squarely planted on the dash but not so prominent that it’ll disrupt your view of the road. Here you can select music, navigation and keep tabs on your hybrid driving metrics. See more of the new Toyota Camry here.
Cute and Competent Subaru Crosstrek, Priced from $25,195
The Subauru Crosstrek has been considered a best car by city drivers and weekend adventurers alike since it was introduced. A mini-me version of the Outback, this compact SUV is smaller and more agile, yet still comes equipped with all the Subie goodies: all wheel drive, Eyesight driver assist features and a multimedia system with a large touchscreen.
Great for those who need to hit the trail after work or for whom the road home involves a trail, the Crosstrek’s 4 cylinder 152 HP engine and AWD system will keep her steady in any conditions. And for buyers who spend the week dreaming about over landing and off-roading, the Crosstrek can do that too: Subaru introduced a Wilderness edition for the 2023 model year. 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Review: The Best Outdoor Companion
A Modern Interior For the Road Ahead
Just because you opt for the smaller, sportier Subaru doesn’t mean you have to skimp on conveniences. Subaru added its awesome full-size multimedia system to the Crosstrek and even more function to the steering wheel. See more of the Subaru Crosstrek here.
All We Love About Jeep: Jeep Compass, Priced from $25,900
The spirit of Jeep lives in many of the company’s SUVs, but the price tag can get weighty, too. Here, however, is everything we love in a powerful, off-road ready package. Best of all, Jeep doesn’t skimp on the basics in the Compass: It has four wheel drive standard, a 200 HP turbo 4-cylinder engine and that iconic “Sarge” grille look that says Jeep without saying a word.
Inside the Jeep Compass you’ll get Jeep’s fantastic (one of the best made, seriously) multimedia system with “Hey Jeep” voice assistance, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and more function via the Jeep owner’s app (which may require a subscription). There are packages to upgrade some of the interior features, though for $7,000 more you can upgrade to the top of the line Trailhawk edition.
Related: 2023 Jeep Compass Compact SUV Review: Live Your Best Life
Everything At Your Fingertips in the Jeep Compass
We love the streamlined, easy to navigate Jeep Compass interior. We are fans of Jeep’s interiors in general for comfy seats, easy to use controls and a pleasant design that is more elegant than you might expect from an off-road capable SUV. And so you can keep your Jeep dreams going beyond your first, here’s a look at what the Grand Cherokee is all about.
A Mini Version of VW’s Popular SUVs, Volkswagen Taos, Priced From $23,995
Volkswagen has had a hit on its hands with its SUV lineup: the 3-row, 7 seat Atlas, the 5-passenger plus lots of cargo room Tiguan and now, with the tech-forward, 5 seater, VW Taos. It’s a mini version of the Atlas and Tiguan, mirroring the sharp front end and squarish liftgate design, and delivering most of what its siblings do in terms of tech and front seat features: A modern touch screen multimedia system, a full suite of driver assist features and options like a panoramic sunroof and all wheel drive. We love the very affordable price and the 4-cylinder turbo engine that generates 152HP, a lot of power for the price.
Related: Which Volkswagen SUV is Right for You? VW Atlas, VW Tiguan and VW Taos
Cute, Compact But Not Spare At All
It’s admirable that with less space to work with – the Taos is a small SUV, after all – that VW was able to accommodate all the goodies: A nicely organized multimedia screen, phone cubby, cup holders, buttons and dials for climate control. Yes, it’s small, but it won’t feel like it behind the wheel. Here’s what the VW Taos is all about.
Pick Your Power: Electric or Gas Hyundai Kona SUV, Priced From $24,250
Hyundai calls the Kona a “small SUV” but that understates the biggest advantage of this SUV: its interior space. Redesigned for 2023, the Hyundai Kona is now bigger and more spacious than ever, and by a LOT versus the first generation of design. Add to that a new modern front cabin and design details taken from the Hyundai Ioniq 5, such as the dial gear selector, the flat panel screen that spans the dash and a pixel motif found on the front and rear, in the headlights and even on the steering wheel.
Buyers can choose the base engine, a 4 cylinder that generates 147 HP, a turbo engine that generates 190 HP or an all electric power train with 201 HP and a range of about 260 miles.
Related: 2024 Hyundai Kona SUV: A Future-Forward Design for Gas or Electric Driving
A Most Modern, Elegant Interior
We love– love!–this interior. It looks and feels good. The wide media screen is easy to see and reach. There are cubbies for phones, small items and cups, or all of the above: the cupholder space is flexible for whatever you need. And the minimalist design keeps the feeling in the cabin light and airy. See more of the Hyundai Kona here.
Cutie-Pie Kia Niro Lets You Drive How You Like, Priced From
Kia likes to be all things to all people: Fuel efficient, or more fuel efficient or completely electric, all in a well-outfitted fun to drive package. That’s the Kia Niro: Redesigned for 2023, Kia added a flat screen multimedia system and driver display, a full suite of driver assist systems, a digital phone-as-key option and a very modern look and feel. Add to that 3 power options: a 4 cylinder hybrid engine that generates 139 HP and gets 54 MPG; a plug-in hybrid with a 33 mile all-electric driving range and 180 HP, and an EV version that has a range of 253 miles and generates 201 HP. Yes, the PHEV and EV versions are more expensive but they come with more features and luxuries, too.
Driver Focused For Optimal Seat Time
Kia’s interior design is modern and world-class, and even in this compact SUV, expansive and feature-filled. The multimedia screen spans half the dash and functions beautifully, with navigation, entertainment and system functions just a tap away. And buttons on the center console give you instant access to features like heated seats. See more on the Kia Niro here.
Sedan Fans, Rejoyce: The Honda Accord Delivers at Lot of Cheer, Priced From $27,895
Sedan fans, we get you. You like to be close to the road; you appreciate the true drive experience; you value how much more you get in a sedan, which can be smarter and less expensive than a similarly-equipped SUV. And, you like being able to find your car in a crowded parking lot.
The Honda Accord is there for you, too. This smart, reliable, stand-by car is still a lot of fun to drive and packed with great design and features, even at the starting price of about $28K. We love the expansive mesh screen that hides the air vents, the well-designed center console and the nicely done multimedia screen. We also like the roomy rear seat and the sporty drive feel. We see why Honda has so many fans on the road.
Related: 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Sport Review: Why This Sedan is So Popular
An Interior Designed for an Adulting Drive
This interior rewards accomplishment and makes you feel grown up: It’s sporty and refined, with controls at your fingertips. Cubbies for phones, drive mode selector and climate control buttons and dials are at your fingertips. See more of the Honda Accord here.