Best Cars for First-Time Drivers in Australia

What we mean by that is, a number of the best-selling cars here in Australia aren’t necessarily a perfect fit for a first-time or inexperienced driver due to things like their size, lack of visibility, absence of key safety tech and their less than user-friendly behaviour around town.

With that in mind, let’s review a list of some of the best cars available in Australia for first-time drivers, and then break down all the important car features.

Mazda 2

We’ll kick off with one of our favourite small cars, the Mazda 2, which is available in both hatchback and sedan formats.

The Mazda 2 is reasonably affordable and comes powered by a fuel-efficient engine that offers enough pace around town to get up to speed and some zippy handling that makes it a great urban commuter.

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 81kW/142Nm

• Fuel Economy: 5.0 - 5.4L/100km

• Infotainment Display Size: 8.0-inches 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Boot Space: 250L (hatch) 440L (sedan)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Kia Rio

Kia is known to cater to the more affordable end of the spectrum, with the Rio hatch offering a heap of variety for experienced buyers and first-time drivers alike.

With two engines on offer, combined with Kia’s generous features list and the company’s long seven-year warranty coverage, the Rio is a great option for first-time drivers here in Australia.

• Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 74kW/133Nm

• Fuel Economy: 5.6 - 6.0L/100km

• Infotainment Display Size: 8.0-inches 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star  

• Boot Space: 325L

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Hyundai i30

The Hyundai i30 is a wonderful little hatchback that offers far more ride comfort and interior practicality than you might expect at this end of the market.

In recent years, it’s become far more sophisticated on the road, making for a great platform for first-time drivers getting acquainted to the road while benefitting from a decent list of entertainment and safety features.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 120kW/203Nm

• Fuel Economy: 7.3 - 7.4L/100km 

• Infotainment Display Size: 8.0-inches 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Boot Space: 395L 

• Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Toyota Yaris Cross

For first-time car buyers looking for a charming compact SUV, Toyota has you covered with the latest generation Yaris Cross, which has received hybrid engine options across the range - including the entry-level GX.

The Yaris Cross offers first-time drivers a great amount of visibility and headroom in the front of the cabin and feels at home darting its way through the urban jungle, making for a great companion for commutes.

• Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol & hybrid option 

• Power & Torque: 88kW/145Nm (85kW for hybrid) 

• Fuel Economy: 3.8L/100km (hybrid) 5.4L/100km regular Yaris Cross

• Infotainment Display Size: 7.0-inches 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Boot Space: 390L 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Suzuki Swift

If fun is atop your list of demands for a first-time car, look no further than the Suzuki Swift - one of our favourites for first-time drivers.

Step behind the wheel and you’re treated to a remarkably fun driving experience that is a great way for new drivers to get comfortable with dynamic handling while dialling back down into a super comfortable, fuel-efficient and fun-loving daily driver.

• Engine: Three engine options 

• Power & Torque: 66 - 103kW/ 120 - 230Nm 

• Fuel Economy: 4.6 - 6.1L/100km 

• Infotainment Display Size: 7.0-inches 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Boot Space: 242L

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Volkswagen Polo

The VW Polo remains one of the best options for buyers looking for a premium first car that doesn’t break the bank, with its compact footprint and lightweight platform making it a fabulous daily driver.

While prices have moved north, the entry-level Polo Life comes packed with a decent list of features, including luxurious touches like a leather steering wheel and a pair of 8.0-inch displays that make it feel smart and modern inside.

• Engine: 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 70 - 85kW/175 - 200Nm 

• Fuel Economy: 5.4L/100km 

• Infotainment Display Size: 8.0-inches

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Boot Space: 351L

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mitsubishi ASX

The Mitsubishi ASX has been around for more than a decade now, and while it’s set to be replaced soon, it remains one of the best value propositions within the compact SUV segment.

With a decent list of features, a five-star ANCAP safety rating and Mitsubishi’s outstanding warranty that can stretch out to 10 years in total, the ASX remains a must for any first-time drivers with a shortlist.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 110kW/197Nm

• Fuel Economy: 7.7L/100km 

• Infotainment Display Size: 8.0-inches 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Boot Space: 393L

• Warranty: Five-year/100,000km can extend to ten-year/200,000km

Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos has become one of our favourite compact SUVs, with its funky-styling, impressive practicality and generous features list packed with safety tech making it a great option for first-time drivers.

The Seltos adds a little bit in the way of ride height so you’ve got a decent view of your surroundings while remaining super comfortable and easy to manoeuvre around town, ticking all of the important boxes for a first-time driver.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 110kW/180Nm

• Fuel Economy: 6.9L/100km 

• Infotainment Display Size: 8.0-inches 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Boot Space: 468L

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Toyota Corolla

Is there a better car for first-time drivers than the Toyota Corolla?

Available in both hatchback and sedan form, with the added bonus of hybrid engines across the ranks, the Corolla is perhaps the leading option for first-time drivers thanks to its user-friendly nature, comfortable ride quality, jam-packed safety equipment list and impressive practicality that makes it a leading option in the segment.

• Engine: Two engines including a hybrid 

• Power & Torque: 126kW/202Nm 

• Fuel Economy: 3.9L/100km (hybrid) 6.0L/100km 

• Infotainment Display Size: 8.0-inches

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Boot Space: 333L (hatch) 470L (sedan)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mazda CX-3

Our list wraps up with the charming little Mazda CX-3 which offers stylish looks inside and out, combined with a super user-friendly platform and decent equipment lists for the price.

While it’s not a heavy-hitter when it comes to practicality, the CX-3 is a great car for first-time drivers and couples thanks to its user-friendly nature around town, zippy handling, attractive interior layout and decent fuel efficiency.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 110kW/195Nm

• Fuel Economy: 6.3L/100km

• Infotainment Display Size: 8.0-inches 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Boot Space: 264L

What Makes a Car Good For First-Time Drivers?

There is a decent list of ingredients when it comes to cooking up the perfect recipe for a first-time driver’s car.

The main things we’d encourage you to check out can be found below.

• Great visibility 

• Easy to park 

• Lightweight steering around town 

• Compact proportions 

• Fuel efficiency

• Long warranty coverage 

• Practicality 

• Low running costs 

• Five-star ANCAP safety rating 

• Active safety tech (AEB, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts) 

• Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

Request a Quote

If you’re shopping around for the best car for a first-time driver here in Australia, be sure to reach out to one of our car buying specialists who can help find you a great price.