Ten Best First Cars

It's become a bit boring compared to past generations, but the Civic still draws young buyers.

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ith freshly licensed teenagers headed back to school this fall and new college grads getting wheels as graduation presents (assuming the recession hadn't killed that dream, which it most certainly did), it's time to look at ten current cars that would make great first cars.

2012 Honda Civic

Honda Civic: It's become a bit boring compared to past generations, but the Civic still draws young buyers due to an attractive price and Honda's reputation for reliability and safety.

Toyota Corolla: Car enthusiasts might stay away, but like Honda, Toyota is known for reliability and safety, and the Corolla is also generally value-priced.

Scion tC: A sporty but not too-sporty two-door like the tC will appeal to younger buyers, and Scion has set up their whole marketing plan to be attractive to the youth set. And since Scion is a Toyota brand, it once again gets a positive rep for reliability.

Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ: These cars are more fun than practical, but they're affordable. So we're throwing young gearheads a bone.

Mazda 3: A combination of sport, practicality, and fuel economy earns this car a place on our list.

Hyundai Elantra: Redesigned for 2011, the Elantra has flowing good looks and promises up to 40 mpg, not to mention an expanded lineup for 2013, which now includes coupe and hatchback models.

Ford Focus: Fun to drive, economical, and affordable is the name of the game for first cars, and the Focus mostly fits these bills (it gets pricy with options). MyFordTouch is also available, and younger drivers might be drawn by the technology's promise, even if it sometimes acts a little buggy.

Chevrolet Cruze: Fuel economy is the idea here, especially with the Cruze Eco. But this inexpensive Chevy is much better than the Cobalt it replaced, and a fine choice for young buyers.

Chevrolet Sonic: Young buyers who can't afford a Cruze might like the sporty Sonic, which replaces the unloved Aveo and does so in fine form. Available in hatchback and sedan flavors, the Sonic proves that "inexpensive" doesn't have to equal "bad."