It's now 2005, and we're once again looking for a first car for a new 16-year-old driver. The budget is still $20,000 in 2025 dollars, so we now have $12,100 to spend. Our hypothetical driver was born in 1989.
Requirements for this year are front and side-impact airbags for both driver and passenger, ABS, a 4 or 5-star NHTSA frontal crash test rating, a NHTSA side-impact rating of 4 or 5 stars, and an IIHS offset rating of Good. Basic quality-of-life features like an AM/FM radio, heating, and A/C are still a requirement.
Given the proliferation of much safer cars by the early 2000s, we're featuring 7 good choices instead of the 5 of previous years.
(2026 note: Some of the vehicles listed here were affected by the Takata recall starting in the late 2000s, with the CR-V and Civic being among the most affected. The risk was still very low in 2005, and the recalls were several years away. We're looking at this from a 2005 perspective, and as of 2005 the Takata recall was a non-factor. That being said, it would have been imperative to get the recall fix done when it was announced)
Honda CR-V EX (2002 or newer) - This little SUV featured trademark Honda reliability, loads of utility, and stellar crash test ratings. The EX trim came with standard dual-stage front airbags, side impact airbags, and ABS, and could be found just under the $12,100 budget. As a bonus, it came with standard 4WD, perfect for inclement weather! It earned a full 5-star rating for both occupants in both the NHTSA full-frontal and side-impact tests, a rare feat, as well as earning a Good in the IIHS offset with all-Good subratings. In terms of crash test ratings, it didn't get better than this in 2002. Prospective buyers should have made sure to get an EX trim, as the LX trim didn't have anti-lock brakes available.
Subaru Forester (2001 or newer) - This small SUV, much like the CR-V, was very reliable, spacious, and offered lots of utility. Like all 1996 and newer Subarus, it came with standard AWD. Dual airbags and ABS were standard; side-impact airbags were optional on the mid-level S trim and standard on the S Premium starting in 2001. An '01 Forester with side-impact airbags started at around $10,000, well within the budget. It earned 4 stars for both driver and passenger in the NHTSA front test, 5 stars for the driver and 4 stars for the rear passenger in the side test, and a Good rating in the IIHS offset test.
VW Passat (2001.5 or newer) - This premium-feeling German midsize sedan came with not two, not four, but six airbags. It was the first midsize sedan to make side curtain airbags standard, starting midway through the 2001 model year. It earned 5 stars for both driver and passenger in the NHTSA full-frontal test, 4 stars for both occupants in the NHTSA side-impact test, and a Good IIHS offset rating.
There was an important caveat to the ratings - earlier Passats without the curtain airbags had an excessively high head injury criterion (1,217) for rear occupants in the NHTSA side test. Therefore, ONLY Passats with curtain airbags should have been considered.
Honda Civic EX with side airbags (2001 or newer) - There's a reason the Civic is a perennial favorite for first cars, and the 7th generation model - introduced for the 2001 model year - was an excellent choice for a new driver in the mid '00s. Aside from its long list of positives - reliablity, fuel efficiency, comfort for its size - it was among the safest small cars ever made at the time. The EX trim featured dual-stage front airbags and ABS standard; side-impact airbags were an option. They started around $9,000 so equipped. Both the sedan and coupe versions got 5 stars for both front occupants in the NHTSA full-frontal crash test and a Good rating in the IIHS offset; sedans got 4 stars for each occupant in the side impact, while coupes got the full 5, making the 2001 Civic Coupe one of the first vehicles ever to earn 5 stars for both front and side impact on both sides in NHTSA testing.
Subaru Legacy (2000 or newer) - The Subaru Legacy was redesigned for 2000, featuring a very robust structure, all wheel drive, and a comfortable ride. Dual airbags were standard, and ABS was standard on all but the base-model Brighton wagon. The high-end GT Limited trim got side-impact airbags as standard; they were not available on lower-trim models. The Legacy scored a high-end 4 stars for both driver and passenger in the NHTSA full frontal test, 4 stars driver and 5 stars passenger in the NHTSA side impact test (without side airbags), and a Good IIHS offset rating. Presumably, the already good side-impact results would be further improved with the optional side-impact airbags. A 2000 Legacy GT Limited started around $10,000, leaving some room for a newer model year ('01 or '02) or lower mileage in the budget. A rugged Outback version was also available.
Toyota Sienna with side airbags (2001 or newer) - Look, I get it, a minivan was deeply 'uncool' for a first car choice. But peel away the vanity, and you've got a big, comfortable, reliable vehicle with plenty of room - great for those upcoming college road trips. And even before then, you'll be much more comfortable in your "uncool" van than most of your friends are in their "cool" cars. As for safety, you got dual airbags, ABS, and side-impact airbags were optional on the midlevel LE and standard on the ritzy XLE. A side airbag-equipped 2001 LE started around $10,500; an XLE was right at the $12,100 limit. It earned a full 5 stars for driver and passenger in the NHTSA full frontal test, 4 stars for driver and 5 for rear passenger in the NHTSA side test (without side-impact airbags!), and a Good IIHS offset rating with all-Good subratings. NHTSA never tested a 2001-2003 Sienna with side-impact airbags, but it can be presumed the side-impact protection would have been even better.
Honda Odyssey with side airbags (2000 or newer) - The 2nd-gen Odyssey had the same advantages as a Sienna - a big, comfortable, reliable vehicle - but was a bit sportier. You got standard dual airbags, ABS, and side-impact airbags were an option on EX models starting in 2000 and standard on all models starting in 2002. The '02 also introduced a standard automatic front passenger airbag cutoff so the bag wouldn't inflate if the seat was empty, a rarity at the time. A 2000 EX with side airbags started around $9,000; a 2002 started around $11,500. Regardless of whether the side-impact airbags were equipped, the Odyssey got a full 5 stars for both driver and passenger in the NHTSA frontal test, 5 stars for both occupants in the NHTSA side test, and a Good rating in the IIHS offset test.
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