10 Good Cheap First Cars For 17-Year Olds in 2024

Last updated on July 2nd, 2024 at 12:26 am

For teenagers and new drivers, purchasing their first automobile can be an exciting experience, and selecting a vehicle that is a good fit is essential to maintaining that enthusiasm. Check over the many characteristics that vehicles have to offer, as well as the wide variety of excellent pre-owned automobiles that are on the market today when you are just starting out as a driver. Your loved ones and friends may be able to provide you with some advice on the car brands that they like.

We have produced a list of the top automobiles for novice drivers and teenagers so that it might be of assistance to you as you look for your first vehicle. We compiled this information based on the best-choices list provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) of suggested used automobiles for teenagers with prices beginning around $20,000. Your newly minted young driver now has a valid driver’s license. So what do we do now? If you are beginning a search for the most suitable automobiles for adolescents, we are here to provide a hand. Even if you don’t have the funds to purchase one of our recommendations, we will still provide some guidance that will be useful to you in your search.

If you take away nothing else from this, make it the fact that safety should be your first priority. Our is the most important factor to consider while making each of our selections for good first cars for 17 year olds, as well as the focus of this list.

The fatal accident rate per mile traveled for drivers aged 16 to 19 years old in the United States is roughly three times higher than the rate for drivers aged 20 and older. The most dangerous years are between the ages of 16 and 17. In 2018, drivers were responsible for 63 percent of the fatalities that occurred among passenger car passengers between the ages of 16 and 19.

It’s all about being safe, after all!

Good First Cars For 17-Year Olds Boy & Girl

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#1. 2017 Toyota RAV4

• Price: $ 25,405
• Engine: 2.5 L Regular Unleaded I-4
• Horsepower: 176@6000
• Torque: 172@4100
• Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic Transmission

The 2017 Toyota RAV4, which has been awarded the title of Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, comes equipped with a variety of cutting-edge safety technologies. Consider purchasing at least the SE trim level since this will get you access to the greatest number of standard safety features. Along with that, you will have automatic high beams, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise, and LED headlights. Additionally, you will get dual-zone automatic temperature control, fog lights, and LED headlights.

Pros

• A plethora of built-in options
• With plenty of room for passengers and baggage, this vehicle is ideal for long trips
• It was a pleasant journey

Cons

• There are a few cheap plastics on the inside
• Slow and steady progress

#2. 2018 Mazda CX-5

• Price: $ 25,145
• Engine: 2.5 L Regular Unleaded I-4
• Horsepower: 187@6000
• Torque: 186@4000
• Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic Transmission

If you purchase the Mazda CX-5 in the Touring trim level for 2018, it comes standard with a wide variety of cutting-edge driver assistance and safety technologies. In addition, it has lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and LED headlights, as well as auto-leveling headlamps, automated temperature control for both zones, automatic climate control, and automatic high beams. It was quite successful in all of the crash tests and is good cheap first cars for 17 year olds. In addition to that, its dependability is exceptional.

Pros

• Handling that’s a blast
• Cabin that’s fit for a king
• Seating with plenty of legroom
• Excellent safety ratings

Cons

• Weird controls for the in-car entertainment system

Also Check: Top 10 Best Cars For New Drivers

#3. 2017 Honda CR-V

• Price: $ 25,020
• Engine: 1.5 L Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4
• Horsepower: 190@5600
• Torque: 179@2000
• Transmission: Continuous Variable Transmission

The Honda CR-V model year 2017 is designed as good cheap first cars for 17 year olds. This is the first year when the redesigned Honda CR-V benefits from Honda’s comprehensive overhaul of the vehicle. The EX trim level comes included with the sophisticated driver assistance and safety features that we suggest. In addition to that, it offers automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, fog lights, automated temperature control with dual zones, adaptive cruise control, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

Pros

• Legroom in the back of the vehicle is really good
• Large space for storing cargo
• Excellent savings on gasoline
• Superbly safe

Cons

• Engine power that isn’t great

#4. 2018 Mazda-3

• Price: $ 18,990
• Engine: 2.5 L Regular Unleaded I-4
• Horsepower: 184@5700
• Torque: 185@3250
• Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic Transmission

Because of its small size, the 2018 Mazda3 is quite simple to navigate through traffic and find a parking place in a variety of settings, including supermarkets and congested urban cores with a scarcity of parking spaces. Teenagers and new drivers have the chance to acquire an important skill while also having some fun, thanks to the offered six-speed manual gearbox. There is a six-speed automatic transmission available for the Mazda3 for drivers who would rather let the car select gears for them. If you are used to riding public transit or utilizing a ridesharing service, this automobile may give you a sense of confidence & control once you get behind the wheel. This is the case regardless of whatever mode of transportation you are most used to using.

Pros

• A joy to drive!
• Acceleration is really quick
• Superb ratings for security
• Beautiful, high-end interior design

Cons

• Using the touch screen is only possible when the car is at a complete standstill

Also Check: Top 8 Best Cars That Get 40 MPG or More

#5. 2019 Hyundai Elantra

• Price: $ 18,130
• Engine: 2.0 L Regular Unleaded I-4
• Horsepower: 147@6200
• Torque: 132@4500
• Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic Transmission

It is possible that the 2017-2019 Hyundai Elantra will have a model suitable for drivers of varying ages and levels of driving expertise and is good first cars for a 17 year old boy. The Elantra is offered in a number of different body designs and trims levels, ranging from the fuel-efficient Eco model that was produced in 2017-2018 to the sporty GT N Line variant that will be produced in 2019. A completely redesigned Elantra sedan was introduced for the model year 2017, while a variant with updated exterior styling was released in 2019. The fuel efficiency of the Eco car, which has a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine, is something that inexperienced motorists may find appealing. According to the EPA, the Eco sedan achieves a combined mileage rating of 35 miles per gallon. 2 Even the performance-oriented 2019 GT N Line, which comes equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, is expected to get 32 miles per gallon on the highway by the EPA, while still providing drivers with the thrill of 201 horsepower.

Pros

• Infotainment systems that are easy to use
• Numerous options at your disposal
• More than enough space in the trunk

Cons

• Relatively stale engines

#6. 2020 Toyota Corolla

• Price: $ 20,595
• Engine: 1.8 L Regular Unleaded I-4
• Horsepower: 139@6100
• Torque: 126@3900
• Transmission: Continuous Variable Transmission

The Toyota Corolla should absolutely be at the top of any list that compiles excellent vehicles suitable for new drivers. A revamped version of Toyota’s popular Corolla automobile was introduced for the 2020 model year. There is a 1.8L four-cylinder engine available on the L, LE, and XLE trim levels of the Corolla sedan. This engine produces 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque, which is sufficient for even the most inexperienced drivers to get up to speed quickly. Additionally, the EPA estimates that this engine achieves 38 miles per gallon when driven on the highway (L and LE trims). 2 A 2.0-liter inline-four engine that generates 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque is standard equipment for the SE and XSE sedans, which are more athletically oriented. In addition, Toyota released the Corolla Hybrid car for the 2020 model year, which is predicted to achieve an outstanding 52 miles per gallon combined.

Pros

• Fuel efficiency is exceptional
• There are a plethora of proactive safety measures

Cons

• The basic engine is sluggish
• Transmission performance that varies widely
• Hatchback’s cramped back seat

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#7. 2017 Honda Accord

• Price: $ 23,345
• Engine: 3.5 L Regular Unleaded V-6
• Horsepower: 278@6200
• Torque: 252@4900
• Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic Transmission

The classic Honda Accord, the model year 2017, takes the top spot in our ranking of the best vehicles for novice drivers. The sporty Accord has long become a favorite of novice drivers because of its attractive exterior, many standard equipment, and considerable cargo space (15.8 cu ft), and the model year 2017 is not an exception to this trend. In 2016, Honda refreshed the look of its best-selling Accord and brought the car’s technology up to date. This revision brings improvements to the 2017 model, which also retains the 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 185 horsepower. The back seat of this sedan folds down in one piece, making it convenient for transporting large things like sporting equipment.

Pros

• It was a pleasant journey
• Excellent savings on gasoline
• Optional CVT that responds quickly

Cons

• The trunk has an odd form
• Predicted dependability is below average

#8. 2019 Subaru Crosstrek

• Price: $ 22,870
• Engine: 2.0 L Regular Unleaded H-4
• Horsepower: 152@6000
• Torque: 145@4000
• Transmission: 7-Speed Continuous Variable Transmission

The Crosstrek is Subaru’s subcompact SUV offering a blend of comfort, reliability, and off-road prowess and is good first cars for 17 year olds girl. Shop for the Premium trim level of the Subaru Crosstrek if you want the additional safety features that we suggest getting. Even though it comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), the Crosstrek still achieves an EPA-estimated 33 miles per gallon when driven on the interstate. Additional amenities that should be considered for a young driver are automatic temperature control, fog lights, a windscreen wiper de-icer, cruise control, carriageway warning, and includes facilitating.

Pros

• Ample room for storing goods
• Cabin with a luxurious feel
• Easy-to-use technology for entertainment
• It was a breeze

Cons

• Slowly increasing speed
• Unable to keep up with opponents’ quickness
• They may need a little more padding

Also Check: 10 New Cars With Seats That Fold Into A Bed

#9. 2019 Toyota Prius

• Price: $ 24,725
• Engine: 1.8 L Gas/Electric I-4
• Horsepower: 121@5200
• Torque: 105@3600
• Transmission: 1-Speed Continuous Variable Transmission

The Toyota Prius is a hybrid vehicle developed specifically for a particular purpose and is well-known for its dependability and safety. Beginning in 2019, it will even be available with an all-wheel drive as an option. We suggest going up to an LE or higher trim level if you want to gain driver assistance features and enhanced safety technology. Bi-LED headlights, automated high beams, adaptive cruise control, automated temperature control, lane-keeping assist, plus parking sensors are a few of the additional features that set this vehicle apart from the competition. An outstanding 58 miles per gallon in the city, 53 miles per gallon on the highway, and 56 miles per gallon combined are what the government estimates the fuel economy to be.

Pros

• Exceptionally low carbon footprint
• There is a lot of room for cargo
• There are several built-in security measures

Cons

• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not supported
• A lack of excitement in the driving experience
• An uninspiring drivetrain is the result

#10. 2018 Kia Sportage

• Price: $ 24,590
• Engine: 2.0 L Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4
• Horsepower: 237@6000
• Torque: 260@1450
• Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic Transmission

The 2018 Kia Sportage is a small SUV that has excellent durability and received favorable ratings in crash testing and good cheap first cars for 17 year olds. It has the safety features that we suggest, particularly when equipped with the Technology Package and the EX trim level. In addition to that, it has fog lights, automatic high beams, and windshield wipers that de-ice automatically. Your teen’s life is not likely to be spared by the navigation system, but it may be of assistance to them in reaching their destination.

Pros

• a high-end interior
• Seating for two people in each of the two rows is generous
• Effortless control and a pleasant ride
• Reliability anticipated to be high

Cons

• Engines that fail to impress
• Fuel efficiency is below average
• Rivals have a smaller cargo hold

FAQs About Good First Cars For 17-Year Olds