The 5 Best Cars for First-Time Buyers
Fact: Cars cost a lot of money. Also fact: Depending on where you live, owning a car can be a crucial part of adulting. So if you’re going to shell out all that cash, you want to get something that’s practical, safe, and reliable — but also something that isn’t going to look like you’ve been driving it since senior year of high school (RIP to my Jetta).
The sheer number of cars on the market can be overwhelming, and the price tags can be downright cringe-inducing. But don’t just go for what your parents had or what your friends drive. Your car should reflect your personality, fuel your ambition, and keep you connected with high-tech amenities — without sending you into debt. Start with one of these five makes and models, all of which look ?? but ring in at less than $35,000.
Jump to: Honda Civic, Hyundai Kona, Volvo XC40, Mazda CX-5, or VW Golf
Commuters will appreciate the Civic’s roomy interior and extra cargo space, plus the good gas mileage. Made for cruising, the compact car — available in coupe, sedan, or hatchback versions — gets up to 42 miles per gallon on the highway. And it’s got a speedy pickup, thanks to a turbocharged, 158-horsepower, four-cylinder engine.
The sedan, starting at $19,835, is spacious inside, with more than 42 inches of legroom in the front seats. The back is more cramped, though, with only 37 inches of space. And while the design features lean more toward function than flash (see: plastic and cloth trim), there are smart storage options and more cargo space than many of its competitors. The Civic also comes with a 7-inch audio-system display (an optional upgrade gets you two more inches and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto).
The Civic — featuring optional safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warnings, and forward-collision warning — is ideal for daily treks to and from the office, plus the casual weekend road trip, although the seats could comfier. If you’re looking for something a little sportier terms of appearance, opt for the Civic Si or Civic Type R.
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For anything this compact SUV lacks in size, it makes up in fun. It’s stylish inside — with sophisticated details and an ergonomic design — and out, with bold colors and dramatic features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto keep you safely connected, and the all-wheel drive can help you navigate tougher terrain. Kanye rapped about rolling up in a Hyundai like it was a bad thing, but the funky subcompact, starting at $20,480, is pretty eye-catching, from the SUV-style cladding around the bottom to the “eyebrow” style lighting. Plus, you can choose from bright colors like Surf Blue, Pulse Red, and the signature Lime Twist. You’ll find the same panache inside. The leather steering wheel contrasts nicely with the digital dash, which also houses a standard 7.0-inch touchscreen (you can opt for an 8.0-inch unit with navigation and wireless charging). The cushy seats are ergonomic, and the front seat is one of the biggest in its class, with nearly 42 inches of legroom. The back seat isn’t quite as soft or roomy, but it’s fine for passengers who aren’t too tall. Most importantly, you’ll have fun driving this car. It’s zippy — with a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine — and comes with optional all-wheel drive, if you’re more adventurous. You’ll get 30 miles per gallon (an electric version is due later this year), and quick steering and reflexes makes the car super responsive, even if you’ll feel every bump.
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Let go of the idea that Volvos are what parents drive. New perks like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a wireless charging pad, plus the streamlined redesign and clever storage options (a removable garbage bin!), are making younger buyers pay attention. But it doesn’t sacrifice reliability for style, and Volvo’s best safety features still come standard. The company’s third SUV release, starting at $34,195, is geared toward younger drivers, and it shows in the design. More compact than its predecessors, it has the same functional Swedish styling with a little bit of flair in its boxier shape and futuristic metal trim. And you can rev it up, thanks to two engine options that produce either 184 or 248 total horsepower. Smaller than Volvo’s other SUVs, the XC40 makes the most of its interior space. The leather seats are comfy, and there’s a storage cubby under the driver’s seat, plus a hook beneath the glove box to hold a purse or takeout food. In the back, you’ve got room for two six-foot-tall adults, plus 32 cubic feet of storage in the trunk. The car is also super tech-friendly: There’s a 9-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, plus navigation, so you can sync your phone and then stash it on the wireless charging pad for the rest of the ride; you can cue Spotify, phone calls, and texts right from the dash. And yes, it is a Volvo, so you know it’s packed with safety features: Forward-collision warning, traffic-sign detection, and a driver-attention monitor come standard.
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City dwellers will love the tiny Golf, which is just as nimble to drive through heavy traffic as it is out on the highway. As small as it may be, there’s a lot of good stuff going on, from its speedy engine to its sporty look to its surprisingly comfortable back seat. Small, practical, and fun to drive, the Golf, starting at $21,760, has been around since the 1970s, and it’s still a global bestseller for Volkswagen. The German company, which also produces Audis, has nailed this compact car’s streamlined look, and although the starting price is definitely affordable — whether you opt for the five-door hatchback or four-door station wagon called the SportWagen, which also comes in an all-wheel-drive variant — nothing about it feels cheap. One of the smaller cars in its class, the Golf technically fits five, but it’s a tight squeeze with four adults. That said, there’s more than 41 inches of legroom in the front and nearly 36 in the back; plus, the rear seat is higher than you’d find most cars, which actually makes it surprisingly comfortable even on long rides. There are no real frills inside, although the sound insulation makes it feel even more luxe than it is. The Golf’s size makes it a great option for city dwellers, but it’ll handle great out on the open road. It comes with a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, which means you’ll pick up speed nicely.
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When you take into account the sporty CX-5’s road-hugging steering and suspension, which makes for a smooth ride, plus the sleek design, it all adds up to a car that’s as thrilling to drive as it is to look at in your driveway. No matter what Mazda you get, it’s going to look sporty AF, but the CX-5, starting at $25,145, gives you a little more of a luxury feel than you’d get in a typical SUV. With a bigger grill, longer front end, angled lights, and modern curves and lines, it looks like you paid at least $50,000 more than you actually shelled out for this subcompact. There’s more sound insulation and a thicker windshield than previous models, which make the newest version CX-5 super quiet — a nice perk for when you’re stuck in traffic. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 7.0-inch infotainment screen (sans Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, though), and an optional 10-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system also make the interior feel more grown-up. The Mazda isn’t as roomy as its competitors, but you’ll still get 41 inches of legroom in the front and nearly 40 inches in the back. On the road, the CX-5 isn’t quite as fast as it looks, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing — it only feels like it should be speedy because it looks so sleek. The 187 horsepower, four-cylinder engine comes standard, but for what it lacks in speed, it makes up in reliability; the steering, brakes, and suspension make for a stable ride. Standard safety features include a blind-spot monitor, front automated emergency braking, and a rear cross-traffic monitor.
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