Reliability for the unreliable: Safest cars for first time drivers

With first-time and young drivers being 2 to 3 times more likely to be involved in crashes than experienced drivers, choosing a reliable vehicle is critical to help reduce risks and protect new drivers on the road.

A new study by Good Guys Injury Law ranks the best cars for first-time drivers, analysing safety, cost, efficiency, practicality, and overall reliability. The output of the review has been provided to Digital Journal.

The study includes data on market price, model year, energy consumption, safety score, and space economy score, which shows the vehicle’s overall size and practicality. These factors are normalized and combined to calculate a ‘Final Score’ per car, which was used to determine the ranking of the vehicles that best meet the needs of new drivers.

The data outcomes are:

As shown in the table, Smart For Two tops the list of best cars for first-time drivers, with a score of 99. With a price of USD 9.9K, first-time drivers can afford a car featuring a safety score of 4 out of 4. Smart For Two has the highest Space Economy Score of 99 among top-ranking cars, highlighting the vehicle’s smart balance of size, comfort, and usability.

Nissan Sentra ranks second among top cars for new drivers, with a score of 92. It is the second most affordable top-ranking car, at $6K, yet the low price does not compromise its overall performance. Similar to the Smart For Two, Nissan Sentra achieves the maximum safety score of 4.

Mazda3 takes third place with a score of 87. Introduced in 2015, it is the earliest-produced model among the cars on the list, yet still one of the best for beginner drivers. Priced at 7.9K, the third lowest on the list, Mazda3 delivers fuel efficiency of 35 mpg, contributing to its position on the list.

Subaru Impreza holds the fourth spot among top recommended cars for new drivers, achieving a score of 84. Subaru shares many similarities with the Nissan Sentra; both were produced in 2018 and secure the maximum safety score of 4. In addition, both have an energy consumption of 33 mpg.

Hyundai Elantra secures the fifth spot among top picks for first-time drivers, with a score of 73. This model ranks second in energy efficiency, with 32 mpg, just behind the Subaru Impreza. It also has a Space Economy Score of 54, indicating an effective balance between interior space, comfort, and functionality.

Kia Sorento holds the sixth position among best cars for beginner drivers, earning a score of 71. The car is an ideal choice for those looking for an affordable option – at 8.2K, while consuming relatively little energy – at 25 mpg.

Honda Civic ranks seventh, with a score of 66. Similar to the Mazda3, it achieves 35 mpg, keeping fuel costs low for new drivers. Honda Civic earns a strong safety rating of 3.8 out of 4 and a Space Economy Score of 54.

Toyota Corolla ranks eighth among top-rated cars for beginners, achieving a composite score of 64. It is one of the newest cars on the list, introduced in 2019. Similar to Hyundai Elantra, its energy consumption is 32 mpg – one of the lowest among high ranking cars.

Kia Soul takes the ninth position on the list, with a score of 58. It is a perfect option for those who want a budget-friendly yet reliable vehicle. Priced at just 5.5K, it stands out with the second lowest fuel consumption among the top-ranking cars, at 27 mpg.

Honda Fit rounds out the top ten best cars for first-time drivers, earning a score of 55. This model is the newest on the list, produced in 2020. Although relatively high-priced at 15.4K compared to the other cars, it features the second highest Space Economy Score of 70, just behind the Smart For Two.