1 – Toyota Corolla
Buying a reliable first car means you’ll save money on maintenance and few cars are more reliable than a Toyota Corolla. The 2019 model was JD Power’s #1 sedan, with a best-in-class 91/100 quality and reliability score.
2020 Toyota Corolla L CVT comes with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 139 horsepower. The engine matches the car perfectly and will use only 7.1 liters of fuel per 100 kms. Since it runs so smoothly and efficiently, the Toyota Corolla has very few engine problems.
All 2020 Corollas comes with Adaptive Cruise Control and Emergency Braking for safety. They also come with a great touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay. You can add more high-tech features if you upgrade to the LE or XLE trim levels.
Prices for the 2020 Toyota Corolla start at around $23,500, making them a good mix of affordability and quality. Many pre-owned Corollas also offer excellent value. If you want a great first car, you’ll definitely want to give it a test drive.
Year after year, these are the best first cars in Canada. These make and models are tried and true and are all available from Birchwood Automotive Group. Take a look at our list and if you need advice on which car is best for you, our experts are happy to help.
2 – Honda Civic
For years, Canadian drivers have chosen the Honda Civic for its durability and style. US News gives the 2020 Honda Civic an amazing 8.4 overall scorecard and the previous years model gets the same praise. If you are looking for a great first car that will last you many years, the Civic is one of the best first cars in Canada.
The Honda Civic comes in several different styles – you can get a four-door sedan, a two-door coupe and the ever-popular Civic hatchback.
The 2020 Honda Civic LX is powered by a 2.0L inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 158 horsepower. This creates a porous drive that still sips gas.
Honda Civics are also known for their value keeping. If you’re looking to upgrade a few years after you bought your first car, you’ll have a lot of trade-in value to work with.
3 – Chevrolet Cruze
If great trunk space, smooth ride and solid reliability are your backs, consider the Chevrolet Cruze for your first car. The Cruze was JD Power’s #2 sedan of 2019 and was praised for its comfortable seats and long list of standard features.
The Chevrolet Cruze comes with a Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system with a rear-view camera, heated seats and a seven-inch touch screen. You can also add great features like a nine-speaker Bose sound system, blind spot monitoring and proximity keyless entry.
It’s up to you how embellished you want your Chevrolet Cruze to be, but even the base models are well equipped.
4 – Hyundai Accent
Since the mid-90s, the Hyundai Accent has been a popular starter car due to its favorable price and reputation for reliability. The 2020 Accent has JD Power an impressive 83/100 overall quality and reliability score and is available as a hatchback or a four-door sedan.
The Xcent is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that makes 120 horsepower and is available with either a manual or automatic transmission. It’s no sports car, but a small engine means great gas mileage—you’ll burn about six liters of gas per 100 kilometers. Features like a rear-view camera and 5-inch touchscreen come standard with new accents, so the base model feels well equipped as well.
With new prices starting at $20,724 and pre-owned models available, the Hyundai Accent is a great and affordable option for your first car.
5 – Kia Forte
Kia Forte is a great starter car. The 2020 Forte finished second on US News on Compact Cars and has garnered great reviews from drivers. Its affordable price, comfortable interior and efficient engine make it a compact car to consider.
The 2.0L four-cylinder engine of the 2020 Kia Forte will sip around 5.9 liters of gas per 100 kms on the highway. That kind of efficiency means you’ll save money at the pump—always good when you’re on a budget.
The new Kia Fortes comes with standard rear-view camera with parking guidance, 8-inch touchscreen audio system and smartphone integration. That’s quite a bit of technology for the base model and you can add even more features on the higher trim levels.
The 2020 Kia Forte starts at around $22,899 and the previously owned models are available at big savings.
