Choosing the Perfect Car for Your Lifestyle
With all the options on the market, choosing a daily driver can feel overwhelming. What makes one car better than the other? Which features are worth the upgrade? While the best choice ultimately depends on your specific needs, we've rounded up the top picks for both families and solo drivers to help you narrow your search. From the Kia Telluride to the Mazda MX-5 Miata, here are the 10 most popular cars for each.
1. Kia Telluride
A spacious eight-seater SUV, no family car gets as good as the Kia Telluride. Boasting a plethora of safety features—including a 360° camera system and a blind spot detector to prevent car doors from opening into oncoming traffic—and generating 291 horsepower with 262 lb-ft of torque, this is the top choice on the current market.
2. Honda Accord
Don't underestimate the Honda Accord just because of its more compact size. It might be a sedan, but this five-seater packs punches. Aluminum alloy wheels, a sleek grille, and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 192 horsepower (on the LX and SE trims)—if you're looking for a comfortable, kid-friendly vehicle, the Accord is a great all-rounder.
3. Mazda CX-50
Whether on city roads or tough terrain, the Mazda CX-50 is ready to take on any family adventure. Equipped with all-wheel drive and the option for a 2.5-liter twin scroll turbocharger engine on the GT Turbo and Meridan trims, driving an SUV has never been so fun.
4. Hyundai Ioniq 5
Looking for an electric vehicle? Then look no further than the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Past its futuristic design, its interior doesn't disappoint, with a range of options depending on how much power you're looking for. The all-new 2025 version now comes equipped with a North American Charging Standard port, which means it can use Tesla Superchargers.
5. Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
If an SUV isn't cutting it for cargo space, minivans might be the better option for you and your family. The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, for one, offers standard gas and hybrid versions, with the former equipped with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine generating 287 horsepower.
6. Mercedes-Benz GLS
If you're willing to shell out more money for comfort and luxury, the Mercedes-Benz GLS is your pick. This three-row seven-seater doesn't just offer enough room for the whole family, but enough storage space for those long, cross-country road trips. Need some more convincing? The higher model GLS580 offers a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that produces 510 horsepower.
7. Toyota RAV4
Compact SUVs don't get as iconic and classic as the Toyota RAV4. All-wheel drive is available as a configuration on all trims, though front-wheel drive comes as the standard. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine powers this swanky vehicle, generating 203 horsepower and 184 lb-feet of torque.
8. RAM 1500
Who says pickup trucks can't make great family cars? The RAM 1500 has challenged that notion year after year, and still it remains a stunner on the road. But if you're up for exploring rugged trails, the sturdier Rebel model handles adventure like no other.
9. Genesis GV70
Coming standard with a 2.5-liter turbo engine generating 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, the Genesis GV70 isn't one to be overlooked. This is midsize luxury at its finest, with heated front seats, a 14-inch touchscreen, and an incredibly stylish build to boot.
Hyundai Motor Group on Unsplash
10. Volkswagen ID. Buzz Microbus
The retro, old-school feel of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Microbus is inspired by the iconic Type 2, which was released in the 1950s. Despite its nostalgic design, it's modernized in every way possible, offering ultimate comfort for big families. Equipped with an all-electric powertrain, there's not much this vehicle can't do.
But if you're looking for something more suited for solo drivers, let's cover some top choices on the market.
1. Toyota Corolla
There's a reason why the Toyota Corolla reigns as the best car for new drivers, and it's simply because it's a beauty to use on the road. Plus, it's reliable, comfortable, and comes standard with advanced safety features, meaning it's built to last many years ahead.
2. Honda Civic
The Honda Civic comes with a stylish, sleek design, but beyond its known for a lot more than just its appearance. It gets even more exciting in 2025. With an all-new hybrid model, the Civic now comes sportier than ever, equipped with two electric motors and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine generating up to 200 horsepower.
3. MINI Cooper
Affordable, durable, and adorably compact, the MINI Cooper is best suited for solo drivers on big missions. There's no more worrying about fitting into tight spaces with this vehicle, which makes maneuvering around and exploring roads that much more fun.
Devon Janse van Rensburg on Unsplash
4. Mazda MX-5 Miata
Offering both automatic and manual transmission options, the iconic two-seater Mazda MX-5 Miata is a star on the road. Whether you're on a weekend getaway or just on a scenic drive along the beach, the Miata makes the journey far more exciting than the destination.
5. Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ—along with its twin, the Toyota GR86—is beloved for a reason, and it's one you'll want to pick up manual transmission for. Coming with a 2.4-liter flat-four engine that produces 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, everything about this vehicle is as fun as its affordable price tag.
Patrik Storm (Alstra Pictures) on Unsplash
6. Ford Mustang Convertible
Even decades after its first release and after years of modernization, no other American muscle car is quite as iconic as the Ford Mustang Convertible. The base EcoBoost model is equipped with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that pumps out 315 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque with a 10-speed automatic transmission, but those seeking manual won't be disappointed. Plus, with 2025 being its 60th anniversary, more is in store for the beloved 'Stang.
7. Lexus IS500
Boasting a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine that churns out 472 horsepower, the Lexus IS500 is a sport sedan offering performance like no other. It's also packed with premium safety features, including dynamic radar cruise control, making it an absolute breeze to drive.
8. Volkswagen Beetle
Though Volkswagen discontinued the beloved Beetle in 2019, it remains a gem and worth purchasing second-hand. Why? Simply because it's fun, reliable, and comfortable to drive. Not to mention its iconic appearance, making it easily recognizable no matter where you go.
9. Toyota Sienna
Solo drivers seeking more space might want to choose an SUV, and the Toyota Sienna makes a great pick. With an all-wheel drive option and models offering up to eight seats, this is the car to take on the road with you and a group of friends.
10. Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro also ceased production in 2023, but that doesn't erase its cult status, and fans of the model will still agree that it's a beast on the road and worth every penny. If you can get your hands on one, it comes equipped with either a six-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic, with the base model's six-cylinder engine churning out 335 horsepower.
