New drivers often need new cars. Having to share a car with a parent really dampens the newfound sense of freedom a license brings. But getting a new car isn’t a small investment, in both time and money. What make, what model? Is it safe? Affordable? Efficient? Reliable? Small enough to fit in the garage? Big enough to haul you and your friends or family around town? There are seemingly endless factors to consider, and seemingly infinite contenders. To help, I’ll provide a list of what I think to be the best cars at 5 different price points for new drivers. Now, on to the list!

First up, cars below $5,000. Options are limited down here. Finding anything more recent than 2015 will be difficult, and if you do, it is likely priced that way for a reason. High mileage is almost guaranteed. Going Japanese is a good idea, as American cars aren’t known for their reliability, Korean cars didn’t really get good until after 2015, and few European cars exist here. My pick? Go with a sixth generation Toyota Camry. Produced between 2007 and 2011, these cars are reliable, cheap, built well, decently safe, and they have decent fuel economy. Maintenance should be cheap, as it is a Toyota, and finding a good example won’t be too difficult. If you need more space, a 3rd generation Honda Odyssey is also a very viable option.

Next, used cars between $5,000-10,000. This really opens up your possibilities compared to the sub 5k category, but you are nonetheless limited in your options. Again, high mileage is pretty close to guaranteed. And again, you ought to go Japanese. So what was my pick? A 4th generation Honda CR-V. Sized well, fuel efficient, safe, cheap, an all around good choice. A disclaimer for the CR-V, though. Many sites say to avoid the 2014 and 2015 model years due to powertrain issues. The 2012, 2013, and 2016 model years, however, are considered solid, reliable cars.

Before I go on, I would like to give you a warning. Due to cost cutting on Hyundai and Kia models from 2015 to 2021, these cars are incredibly easy to steal. Because of this, some insurance companies will outright refuse to insure your car if it is one of the affected. Although some Hyundai or Kia models from this time period might look attractive, you probably want to avoid them. At the very least, before buying a Hyundai or Kia from these years, check to see if the car is on the list of affected vehicles, or see if the owner has made modifications to the safety systems. If your vehicle is on the list, check with your insurance to make sure they will cover the car. More information is available at this insurance website.

With that PSA out of the way, we come to cars between $10,000 and $15,000. Your used car options are much, much more vast now. Even though you may be able to score yourself a newer American car, I’d still recommend going Japanese, especially if you plan to keep this car for a long time. My choice? A fourth generation Subaru Forester. These were produced from 2012-2017.  Not the best for you or your child’s image, but it gets the A to B job done well. Reliability, safety, and fuel economy in one mid-sized package. Finding one in good condition for a good price won’t be terribly difficult, either.

Now, with $15,000-$20,000 to spend, your options grow. At this point, you can go two routes. New or used, that is the question. If you decide that you want that new car smell and a factory warranty, your options are limited to a Mitsubishi Mirage or a Nissan Versa. Both are small, cheap econo boxes that can’t fit someone in the back seat if that someone happens to have been born with legs. Because of that,  I’d recommend going used at this price point. There are a lot of options, but I think that the 1st generation Honda HR-V is the best pick. This subcompact crossover was produced from 2016 to 2022. Reliable, safe, efficient, newer, and although it looks small on the outside, it is packaged extremely well and can fit way more than one might think. And, if you buy through Honda Certified Pre-Owned, you can still get a warranty.

Finally, the $20,000-30,000 price point. If you are looking for a car for a young driver with this budget, the choice is obvious. The good ol’ Honda Civic. Buy it new and get a small, safe, efficient car with a modern interior and safety features. The Civic is where it’s at. I know it sounds like I work for Honda and I am writing this for their advertisement department, but I swear I’m not. The Civic is just that good. If you are looking at something at the lower end of this price range, go for the base Civic. If you want a bit more space, and you have a bit more to spend, go for the hatchback. If you really value efficiency, go for the hybrid model and achieve real world 45 mpg to and fro school. Nothing can beat it.

And there you have it, my opinion for the best cars for new drivers at different price points. Many more cars exist out there, and this list only covers 5 of them. Different cars will make more sense for different people, and this list is really just some suggestions. If you want more help in choosing what car you should buy, I’d suggest visiting Motortrend, Car and Driver, Kelly Blue Book, and the IIHS website. Whatever you decide, happy driving!