Top 5 cars for first-time buyers for under P1,000,000 in 2020

If you’re new to cars and want something that is perfectly suited for a new driver, then we have a few recommendations that will help you get behind the wheel. Most of these cars are easier to drive than most, and they have a few features that allow you to drive almost effortlessly. 

Note that this list is comprised of cars that we have tested, and can all be bought brand new in 2020 for under P1,000,000. The cars here were selected based on our experience in relation to what a first-time car buyer would need to look for. The list is arranged in no particular order. 

We’ve mentioned in the past that the Suzuki S-Presso would make for a perfect first foray into the world of automobiles. While it could be a drawback to some, others would argue that the S-Presso is a perfect start for a newbie driver thanks to its manual transmission. Compact dimensions paired with ground clearance make this hatch a perfect companion for you in the city. You won’t be paying so much at the pumps either, thanks to its 1.0-liter engine and its efficient performance. 

Another small car that we would recommend if you are a first-time car buyer is the Kia Picanto. Right out of the dealership, you get a good feature set for the segment. With a 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you can expect your smartphone to pair with the car seamlessly, and on top of that it also has great build quality, and automatic transmission, and a frugal 1.2-liter 4-cylinder engine. On top of that, it also comes with a backup camera so parking this thing will be a cinch. Additionally, you also have a 150 mm of ground clearance, so you don’t need to worry too much about bottoming out either. 

Moving away from the small hatchback category, another Kia vehicle is recommended, but this time it is a sedan. The Kia Soluto is another recommendation that we have for consumers looking for a comfortable experience with a frugal gasoline engine. Coming in at 1.4-liters in displacement, the motor manages good fuel economy and has a substantial feature set that puts it above the rest of its contemporaries. Its dimensions also make it a car that is easy to drive. 

Hitting close to the P1,000,000 the base model of the Geely Coolray is on the more expensive side, however, you are getting yourself a car that has a 1.5-liter turbocharged motor with a lot of space and ground clearance to tackle almost everything you need to in the city or out of it. Apart from that, it has stellar build quality. If you are feeling fancy, then maybe this will make for a great first car for you wand perhaps your family. 

Rounding out the list for first-time buyers is a 7-seat vehicle. The Suzuki Ertiga’s top of the line model comes in at under P1,000,000 with variants available that are even more affordable. The Ertiga is also very frugal with its 1.5-liter engine. While it may not be the most powerful, your fuel economy figures should be pretty high considering it has all that seating capacity for not that much money. Now, this is on the bigger side for a beginner driver, however, it’s compact enough that you won’t feel like you are captaining a barge on land.