2024 Hyundai Elantra – 7.7/10
The Hyundai Elantra has been a great offering for a decade, but now it has the looks and performance to match. Offered with a conventional gasoline engine or as a hybrid, the sleek and redesigned sedan starts at just over $20,000, just right for first-time buyers. It gets high marks for its drivability, and its warranty is one of the best on the market. It’s also safe, and comes standard with lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic detection.
2024 Chevrolet Trax – 7.6/10
The Chevrolet Trax has been redesigned for the 2024 model year with a new look that takes cues from the larger Blazer SUV, among others. It is equipped with a 1.2-liter engine that delivers excellent gas mileage (32 miles per gallon on the highway) but still offers responsive handling and decent acceleration. The compact Trax seats five people with smart storage solutions in the doors and rear. An 8-inch touchscreen in the center of the dashboard is standard, while an 11-inch version is optional.
Honda Civic 2024 – 7.6/10
The 2024 Honda Civic is a great choice for first-time buyers looking for a reliable, efficient, and fun-to-drive sedan. The Civic has a sleek and sporty design, with room inside for people and a large trunk for cargo. It is offered in sedan and hatchback body styles with a range of power options. The cheapest model has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers a solid 158 horsepower and gets 38 miles per gallon on the highway. The Civic starts at $21,700 and comes with a 60,000-mile warranty.
Ford Maverick 2024 – 7.5/10
The 2024 Ford Maverick is a compact pickup truck that offers versatility, efficiency and affordability for first-time buyers. Ford offers it with two powertrain options: a hybrid that delivers up to 42 mpg in city driving and a turbo gasoline engine that can tow up to 4,000 pounds. Maverick also has a spacious cabin with smart storage solutions and a flexible bed with multiple tie-downs and power outlets. It comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a range of safety features.
Kia Seltos 2024 – 7.4/10
Available with front- or all-wheel drive, the compact Kia Seltos SUV offers first-time buyers in snowy states performance not typically found at the lower end of the price scale. The two-row Seltos is efficient and comfortable. A 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster with an 8-inch center display is standard. A larger cluster and touchscreen are optional and pair well with upgraded interior options like a sunroof and ventilated seats, all without breaking the bank.
2024 Subaru Crosstrek – 7.3/10
The Subaru Crosstrek is designed for first-time new car buyers who want to have fun with their vehicle. The Crosstrek is a compact crossover that combines the practicality of a hatchback with the capability of an SUV. It features a spacious interior, ample cargo space and standard all-wheel drive that inspires confidence. It starts at less than $25,000 and features adaptive cruise control, lane centering, blind-spot detection and wireless smartphone integration technology.
2024 Subaru Impreza – 7.2/10
The small 2024 Subaru Impreza offers first-time new car buyers a balanced mix of performance, efficiency and safety. The Impreza comes standard with all-wheel drive, which improves stability in all weather conditions. The Impreza offers a spacious cabin, a user-friendly infotainment system and a host of safety and driver-assist technologies for less than $20,000. The Impreza is not a hybrid, but it still gets 34 miles per gallon with its surprisingly nippy 2.0-liter gasoline engine.
Toyota Camry 2025 – 7.2/10
The 2025 Toyota Camry combines comfort, performance, efficiency and safety, making it a logical choice for first-time new car buyers who can spend a little more. Its spacious interior beats its average and offers more for the money. A 9-inch infotainment touchscreen and wireless smartphone integration are both available. The Camry also comes with a range of safety and driver-assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer – 7.2/10
The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer offers first-time new car buyers five trim levels, from the sporty RS to the adventurous ACTIV, with different features and options to suit different lifestyles. The Trailblazer is also available with two gasoline engines, with the most efficient getting up to 33 miles per gallon on the highway. It seats up to five passengers and comes standard with a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Buick Envista 2024 – 7.1/10
Borrowing styling cues from the company’s Wildcat concept, the compact Buick Envista SUV impresses first-time new-car buyers with chrome accents, LED lights and a sleek silhouette. It comes with an efficient engine and automatic transmission, as well as folding second-row seats that let you haul cargo diagonally over 7 feet long. A panoramic digital touchscreen is the centerpiece of the cabin. Lane departure and lane keeping warnings and automatic emergency braking are standard.