Top Choices For First-Time Car Buyers

Getting your first car is a milestone that can be both exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. Apart from that, you could be juggling student loans or living on a tight budget. Even though you're a first-time buyer, it doesn't mean you cant have it all. There's plenty of new vehicles on the market that will meet your expectations without having to break the bank. Check out this list of cars that will keep you safe, sound, and happy.

Toyota Yaris iA

If you're looking for affordability and easy maintenance, the Yaris is right up your alley. A well-equipped interior and strong fuel economy provide for a pleasurable drive. While it is inexpensive, you won't be sacrificing quality for a lesser price. The Yaris is widely known for exceptional performance, reliability, and is more fun to drive than an average compact car. It has excellent crash test ratings and does not compromise on safety, offering an advanced braking system.

Are you an Apple product fan? The next vehicle may be the one for you.

Chevrolet Sonic

Craving something fun and youthful? The Sonic is a great compact option and comes with modern tech features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It's also a good choice for someone with a small family, as there's lots of extra cargo space. The Sonic is priced to be affordable, offering different options and features for bigger spenders. The vehicle boasts a five-star safety rating and also features Forward Collision Alert and lane departure warning. Overall, if you're looking for the most bang for your buck, the Sonic might be the way to go.

This next one is small but packs a punch...

Honda Fit

The 2018 Honda Fit manages to pack a lot of great things into one small package. While many of the mechanical features carry over unchanged from the 2017 Fit, some upgrades have been made to safety and infotainment features. This vehicle is an all-around fun daily driver and makes squeezing into tight parking spaces simple. In fact, all of its shortcomings (which aren't many) are relatively minor complaints compared to the issues found on many of the Fit's competitors.

If you're tired of spending money on gas, check out the next vehicle.

Honda HR-V

The HR-V is Honda's smallest SUV, and its strong fuel economy and sporty handling make it an impressive choice for someone looking for something fun to drive. The crossover's base model comes at an affordable price point and you'll save quite a bit of money since it's not a gas guzzler. Honda is known for its ultimate reliability, and you may be able to keep this one for years to come. If you end up needing to sell it, the HR-V's resale value is second to none.

This next vehicle has earned its stripes in safety.

Mazda3

Mazda makes sure to please their customer base with affordable price tags. The Mazda3 has safety features engineered to perfection and has enough space for all your cargo. Like the others, it has a strong fuel economy and is one of the more fun Mazda's to take for a spin. The vehicle has a sharp look and you'll not only be getting more for your money but will look good while doing it. The Mazda3 is renowned for its emphasis on safety, 5-stars to be exact.

Got a need for speed? This next vehicle might just tickle that fancy.

Mazda CX-3

The CX-3 is small but fast, not to mention practicality at its best. A classic Mazda exterior keeps things streamlined, and the excellent handling and powerful acceleration will keep you confident on the road. The CX-3 is the most eco-friendly vehicle in its class, and the responsive braking and reliable engine are built to last. While the interior is minimal, there's plenty of leg space for carting you and your friends around. If you're in the market for a crossover, be sure to have this one on your list.

Reliability and versatility are this next vehicle's middle name...

Nissan Sentra

The Sentra is one of the more compact sedans released by Nissan. It's inexpensive, versatile and isn't short of a quality vehicle. It comes with a spacious interior, with plenty of legs and headspace. The Sentra is one of the cheapest cars in the compact sedan family so you won't be spending a lot of money but will be getting plenty of advanced features and actual value for your money. There's also sizeable trunk space in case you end up playing chauffeur for friends and family.

This next vehicle might be the most rewarding choice for first-time car buyers.

Toyota Prius C

We've all heard of them - and some of us despise it - but the Prius might deserve your consideration. Known for its ultra-efficiency and being a top choice commuter car, the Prius is chockful of reliability. It's easy to park, for those of us who are terrible at that, and its fuel economy will have you saving some coin and keeping air pollution to a minimum as well. The peppy, affordable hybrid is the total package, especially for people with long commutes to work or school. It has an excellent navigation system, optimal cargo space and you can actually fit four adults in it, albeit its smaller size.