The makes and models mentioned in this article are not placed in any particular order, nor intended to be viewed as a ranked list. KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.
It may be truly terrifying to think that the kid who once purposely — and repeatedly — crashed Hot Wheels into each other can now legally drive the life-size version. Knowing that rambunctious child has grown into a (somewhat) responsible teen offers a bit of reassurance. You’ll feel even better about the driving milestone when your teen is behind the wheel of one of these stalwart starter cars.
Photo Credit: Honda Automobiles Newsroom
Honda Accord
Honda Accords are easy to drive and can take a beating. The Accord has numerous accolades from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, MotorTrend and Consumer Reports for its abundance of advanced safety features. It's regularly named a Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Regardless of the model year, Accords are also some of the more affordable midsize sedans on the market.
Toyota Corolla
Reliable and fuel-efficient, Corolla has been a starter-car staple for decades. An abundance of parts are available for older model years, making normal wear-and-tear repairs pretty simple. Newer Corollas are packed with advanced safety features, earning NHTSA’s five-star rating and IIHS’s Top Safety Pick.
Photo Credit: Mazda USA Newsroom
Mazda Mazda3
A teen’s first car is something they’ll always remember, so why not have them experience interesting driving dynamics right from the start? Mazda 3 feels alive, and your teen will get a real sense of what the car is doing by how well the dynamics are communicated to the driver. Multiple model years have received NHTSA’s five-star safety rating.
Subaru Impreza or Crosstrek
Small and subdued, Impreza and Crosstrek are excellent options for inexperienced drivers. Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system makes these compact SUVs easy to drive in all types of weather. Both models have received multiple NHTSA five-star safety ratings. Neither is particularly fast, also something parents may appreciate.
Whether you’re shopping for a vehicle on this list or something else for your first-time driver, KSL Cars has more than 50,000 vehicles to choose from.
