doesn’t have a whole lot of size, which is a good thing in this category. Add to its diminutive size huge windows, easy-to-read gauges, and an intuitive infotainment system, and you have one of the easiest-to-drive cars on the road.

Pros: Tiny, surprisingly nice interior, nimble handling

Cons: Feels a bit too small for the highway, very cramped rear seat

Volkswagen Passat—$28,570

The

Volkswagen Passat

is a roomy midsize sedan with ample passenger room in the back and cargo room in the trunk. What makes the Passat easy to drive is the no-nonsense controls, clear gauges, and large windows.

Pros: Affordable, well-built, quiet and relaxing ride

Cons: A bit spartan

Mazda MX-5 Miata—$28,665

The

Mazda MX-5 Miata

is another small addition to our list, but it’s more than just its size that makes it easy to drive. The driver’s eye line is seldom obstructed in this drop-top beauty, and the controls are about as user-friendly as they get. Easy to drive definitely doesn’t have to mean boring to drive!

Pros: Affordable, fun convertible, spry handling

Cons: A bit snug, road noise can get tedious

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Honda Ridgeline—$39,435

Sometimes, you just need a truck, but that doesn't mean it has to be a pain to drive. With the

Honda Ridgeline

, you get the smooth ride of an SUV and the maneuverability of a much smaller vehicle with the added benefits of a lockable truck bed for secure storage.

Pros: Plenty of passenger space, agile handling

Cons: Limited off-road and towing capability

Dodge Durango—$39,355

Adding to our list of vehicles proving that easy to drive doesn’t have to mean small, the

Dodge Durango

is a great option for those needing an easy-to-drive SUV. It offers the grunt needed to tow a car or a horse trailer with the dimensions to park in some pretty tight spots.

Pros: Excellent towing capacity even without the optional V8

Cons: Limited driver-assist suite, less fuel-efficient than others in its class

Nissan Versa—$16,475

The

Nissan Versa

adds affordability to driving ease as it’s one of the most affordable compact cars on the market. Despite its low price, the Versa still offers straightforward controls, small size, and wide-open windows for great visibility.

Pros: Exceptional fuel economy, advanced safety tech, relaxing drive

Cons: Base model options are sparse, back seat is a bit snug

Jeep Renegade—$26,290

Another great SUV option for those who want an easy-to-drive vehicle that isn’t a micro-car. The

Jeep Renegade

is a compact SUV that handles like a car and offers simple controls for climate control and infotainment.

Pros: It’s adorable, comfortable ride, legit trail chops with the Trailhawk

Cons: Not too peppy on the acceleration, not much storage room, visibility could be better

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Smart Fortwo—$24,550 (used from $17K)

The

Smart

Fortwo is one of a few vehicles on our list either no longer under manufacture, or no longer for sale in the U.S., but how could we leave this little guy off? No car is easier to maneuver and you can park it practically anywhere.

Pros: As tiny as it gets, but still roomy for the driver and one passenger

Cons: Doesn’t get the mpg you’d expect from such a small package

Chevrolet Volt—$34,395 (used from $15,590)

The

Chevrolet Volt

offers drivers an excellent plug-in hybrid option that’s also easy to drive. The Volt can travel up to 53 miles on its battery alone, and what’s easier than hardly ever having to stop at a gas station?

Pros: Excellent electric range, impressive acceleration

Cons: Boring interior, post-electric fuel efficiency not as good as rivals

Range Rover—$105,850

Just because you’re looking for something easy to drive doesn’t mean you’re only looking to drive it on the highway or in the city. The

Range Rover

offers the comfort and class of an upscale SUV but makes hitting the trails easy with push-button terrain modes and near-limitless 360-degree visibility.

Pros: Luxury appointments both in and out, plenty of power for acceleration or off-roading

Cons: Six-figure starting price, a bit snug in the back row

Toyota Tacoma—$28,365

With simple controls, your choice of reliable powertrains, and plenty of off-road capability, the

Toyota Tacoma

continues to prove that trucks can be just as easy to drive as cars.

Pros: Durable and customizable, standard driver-assists

Cons: Cabin seems squished both in height and length

Subaru BRZ—$29,615

Along the lines of the Miata, the

Subaru BRZ

proves, once again, that easy does not have to mean boring. The BRZ’s Boxer engine harnesses up to 205 horses and springs from 0–60 in as little as 5.4 seconds. And unlike the Miata, you can still have plenty of fun even with the automatic.

Pros: Spicy performance, smooth automatic transmission

Cons: Noisy, should be marketed as a two-seater

Mini Cooper—$24,250

Another entry in the micro category, the

Mini Cooper

is one of the O.G. small, easy-to-drive cars. It’s not only maneuverable because of its size but also due to its responsiveness and peppy acceleration when equipped with the 189-hp turbo four.

Pros: Fun to drive, lots of options for personalization

Cons: Options add quite a bit to the bottom line, snug cabin

Volkswagen Golf GTI—$30,975

The

Volkswagen Golf

offers excellent handling along with an easy-to-read control panel that puts everything you need to know right behind the steering wheel. Add a host of standard driver assistance features and you have an excellent option for easy daily driving.

Pros: Soft ride, responsive handling

Cons: Infotainment system isn’t as user-friendly as some rivals

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Ford Fiesta—$15,235 (used from $13,000)

The

Ford Fiesta

is small and also super fun to drive. Ford stopped sales of the Fiesta in the U.S. in 2019, so you can only buy it used, but the crisp steering, spry handling, and intuitive infotainment system make many of us long for its return.

Pros: Optional six-speed automatic is smooth and responsive

Cons: Base engine isn’t quick (but check out the

for more power)

Buick Encore—$27,295

When you’re looking for an easy-to-drive SUV that won’t break the bank, the

Buick Encore

is your play. Plus, even though it’s one of the smallest crossovers on the market, the cabin is spacious enough for four adults.

Pros: Intuitive, easy-to-use infotainment system, spacious cabin

Cons: Less fuel efficient than rivals, sluggish powertrain

Hyundai Ioniq—$24,695

The

Hyundai Ioniq

is small, handles well, and offers great fuel economy—what more can you ask for in an easy-to-drive car?

Pros: Excellent fuel economy, eco-friendly interior materials

Cons: Sluggish acceleration, limited storage

Mazda 3—$22,165

The

Mazda 3

has been around for years and received a complete redesign in 2019. Unfortunately, while this redesign maintained most of the 3’s fun features that also make it easy to drive, it added a hatchback option that creates massive blind spots. Definitely opt for the sedan.

Pros: Champagne finishes at a sparkling-cider price

Cons: Hatchback has massive blind spots

Lexus LX—$88,245

Another SUV offering in the easy-to-drive category—the

Lexus LX

places everything you need right at your fingertips. From the multimedia-linked in-dash multi-information display to the LX’s color heads-up display that projects key driving information directly onto the windshield, you never need to take your eyes off the road to experience all the LX has to offer.

Pros: Lots of available trim options, peppy twin-turbo V6

Cons: Not as luxe as the Range Rover (but also not as expensive)

Audi A3—$35,995

The

Audi A3’s

virtual cockpit feature is fully customizable and can integrate everything from Google Maps to weather info.

Pros: Both easy and super fun to drive, fuel efficient

Cons: Shifter can take some getting used to

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The easiest way to save on car insurance

Finding a car that does what you need it to do and is easy to drive can be a challenge, but finding the right car insurance shouldn’t add to the hassle. Fortunately, when you shop with

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FAQ

What is the best car for beginner drivers?

Ideally, a first-time driver will have a car that’s easy to drive and offers them an opportunity to continue to learn. For that reason, we’d suggest the Mazda 3. It’s compact and quick, so it’s easy to drive in the city or on the highway—and it offers the option of a six-speed manual, which will allow new drivers to

learn a valuable and vanishing skill

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