Choosing a car in your 20s can be tricky. If it is your first car, you might not have a lot of money to spend, and you might be unsure what the best car for you is. Luckily, an expert has come out with some advice on what to buy.
Ashley (@nomafinance), a car finance broker based in Australia, posted a video on TikTok explaining some of the cars that she recommended to buyers in their early 20s. This included a mix of vehicles such as a small SUV, hatchbacks, and sedans.
All of the cars Ashley chose in her TikTok video fall neatly into the category of practical, everyday vehicles. These would be perfect for young buyers seeking their first car, which will give them plenty of independence without breaking the bank too much. The cars that Ashley chose were deliberately not flashy or over the top.
They were all conventional purchases, and that was the point. When you are looking for your first car, you don’t want to blow all your money on something over the top and have no money left over. Ashley’s video has gone viral with over 610,000 views.
What Cars Did Ashley Recommend?
@nomafinance Do you drive these cars? #toyotacorolla #mazdacx3 #kiacerato #hyundaii30 #newcar ♬ original sound – Ashley | Car Finance Broker
Some of the cars that Ashley recommended included the Toyota Camry, Mazda CX-3, Kia Cerato and the Hyundai i30. The Toyota Camry is one of the best picks, not only for those in Australia but also for those in the United States. Australia has only the hybrid version of the Camry, but with an average fuel economy figure of up to 53 mpg, it is incredibly economical. In America, the 2026 Camry starts at $29,600, but they are also excellent value second-hand.
In terms of SUVs, the only one on Ashley’s list was the Mazda CX-3. The car was last seen on the US market in 2021, so if you do want one, second-hand is the way to go. The solid fuel economy of up to 34 mpg and a good level of practicality ensured that the CX-3 made Ashley’s list. For most, though, an SUV might feel a bit like overkill.
The Kia Cerato and Hyundai i30 are cars that are sadly not sold in the United States either. But there are some alternatives to consider, such as the Kia K4, the Nissan Sentra, and the Hyundai Elantra. All are practical, reliable, and economical cars, and all of these cost less than $25,000 brand new. Plus, they are still a safe choice even second-hand.
What Is the Cheapest Car You Can Buy in America?
If you want a brand-new car as a young driver and want to get the cheapest vehicle possible, then the Hyundai Venue is the one for you. With the Nissan Versa now gone, the Venue is the cheapest new car money can buy in the United States. The base price is just $22,150, and even with every option added, it is still less than $26,000.
The Venue has been described as a small, simple, and honest car for those who are happy with just a few mod-cons and are more worried about getting from A to B. In fact, you still get plenty with the base model, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, driver aids, automatic headlights, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen. So the Venue shows that, if you are a young buyer, buying cheap really doesn’t have to mean bad.