If you’re considering a sports car for the first time, it’s easy to find yourself dazzled by performance figures like 0–60 mph sprints and top speeds. Perhaps your only criteria while decision-making pertains to handling and horsepower. That’s all fine to consider, but driving high-powered sports cars without experience could lead to disaster. Entry-level sports cars with lower power and better safety ratings are often the best way to introduce yourself to some of the most fun you can have in a vehicle.
We composed a list of the safest entry-level sports cars by sifting through heaps of data and test results from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). While they might not be as exciting as a BMW M5, these models are safer and usually less expensive to own.
All specs have been sourced directly from the manufacturers. When 2026 model-year test results were not available, the NHTSA and IIHS used current-generation models to determine safety ratings.
We ranked the models by CarBuzz Safety Score after taking both NHSTA and IIHS safety scores into account. IIHS results are weighted more than NHTSA scores, since the source uses real crash data, rather than simply counting the safety features listed by an automaker. Models with good data from both sources are ranked highest.
10
2026 Toyota GR Corolla
CarBuzz Safety Score: B-
First up on the block is the Toyota GR Corolla, and while hot hatchbacks aren’t everybody’s preferred “sports cars,” this Toyota offers 300 horsepower and a manual transmission, plus all-wheel drive that could help new drivers maintain contact with the road. While the NHTSA hasn’t rated the GR Corolla, it comes with a suite of safety features like a pre-collision system with pedestrian monitoring, lane departure alert, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, and more.
The IIHS tested a regular Corolla, which shares a platform and structure with the GR variant. It earned the best scores (on a scale including Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor scores), in most crash tests. Only the updated side impact test earned an Acceptable score overall.
9
2023 Dodge Challenger
CarBuzz Safety Score: B-
Pictured above is a 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T Swinger, but our safe “entry-level” model of choice is the base model SXT trim that comes with a V6 engine. The last thing a new driver needs is a V8-powered American muscle car, and the V6 model will be easier to learn in. Not to mention its good safety ratings. Firstly, the NHTSA gave this 2023 model year (the Challenger’s last year before being discontinued) a 5 out of 5 for its safety features.
It only ranks somewhat lower on our list, since its IIHS crash tests aren’t perfect. While many tests earned Good scores, the driver’s side front overlap test yielded a Marginal overall result, while some other results, like roof strength and head restraints, came back as Acceptable. The 2023 Challenger is safe enough for a less experienced driver as long as you choose a low-powered trim that’s easier to control.
8
2026 Volkswagen Golf GTI
CarBuzz Safety Score: B
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a front-wheel-drive hot hatch powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 241 horsepower. It’s not much, but good to learn with. This sporty hatchback earns a B for its safety, since it’s not rated by the NHTSA, and its IIHS crash tests are limited.
It still earns a spot on our list, since every aspect of the front overlap crash tests earned Good scores and the LATCH ease of use is also Good. Volkswagen equips its 2026 Golf GTI with standard safety features like an “intelligent crash response system” that can turn off the fuel pump, turn on the cabin lights, unlock the doors, and turn on the hazard lights when a crash is bad enough to deploy the airbags. It also automatically brakes to stop the car after a collision with its post-collision braking system.
7
2026 Subaru WRX
CarBuzz Safety Score: B
The current Subaru WRX is another AWD performance model with plenty of power to safely have fun while learning how to drive with a manual transmission. It comes with safety features like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic braking when it detects an imminent crash, and dynamic brake support.
We would rank it higher, since the NHTSA gave it a 5/5, and most of its crash tests performed by the IIHS earned Good scores, but it suffered in the updated moderate front overlap test. While the small front overlap crash test came back Good (along with almost every other crash test), the moderate overlap proved Poor due to the rear passenger dummy kinetics measuring major injuries to the chest in that impact.
6
2021 BMW 230i
CarBuzz Safety Score: B+
Pictured above is the 2021 BMW M240i, which is a great driver’s coupe, but our choice for new drivers is the lower-powered BMW 230i. Trim level aside, the IIHS tested a 2014 model, which uses the same structure through 2021, and found it incredibly safe across almost all tests. While the NHTSA didn’t score this model, its real-world crash tests prove the 2 Series’ safety. It earned Good overall scores in all main categories, and only dropped to Acceptable/Marginal scores for its headlights. Its optional “full LED lights package” earned an Acceptable score, while the standard headlights are Marginal due to their glare and weak high-beams.
5
2022 Hyundai Veloster N
CarBuzz Safety Score: A-
The final hot hatchback we’ll talk about here is the Hyundai Veloster N. It was discontinued after the 2022 model year, but we still enjoy the model for its 275 horsepower, six-speed manual transmission, and limited-slip differential. Even though the NHTSA hasn’t scored this model, the IIHS thoroughly tested a Turbo Ultimate 3-door Veloster, which also applies to the N variant that shares its construction.
Testing resulted in Good scores in all crash tests across the board. The only problem areas include Acceptable headlights that create some glare with their low beams, and the LATCH ease of use was Acceptable for difficult-to-find anchor points.
4
2023 Chevrolet Camaro
CarBuzz Safety Score: A
This one might surprise some of you. Once again, we don’t recommend choosing the Camaro SS, like the one pictured above, as your first sports car. Fortunately, the entry-level V6 still makes a comfortable 335 horsepower and has an optional six-speed manual transmission. It’s also one of the safest cars on our list. The NHTSA gave it a 5/5, and the IIHS thoroughly tests its crashworthiness.
It earned Good scores in the driver’s side small overlap test, moderate overlap original test, and its head restraints and seats earned Good scores. Only its roof strength earned an Acceptable score, but its low center of gravity makes the Camaro incredibly difficult to flip. The only Marginal score has to do with its LATCH ease of use, since its lower anchors are deep in the seat and require too much force to attach.
3
2026 Honda Civic Si
CarBuzz Safety Score: A
One of the safest models we would choose for a new driver’s first sports car is the Honda Civic Si. We know it doesn’t fit everybody’s definition of a sports car — it’s a front-wheel-drive sedan. However, its turbocharged four-cylinder engine makes 200 horsepower, it has a manual transmission, and a limited-slip differential.
Nevertheless, this enthusiast sedan earned a 5/5 for safety from the NHTSA, and it performed well in its crash tests from the IIHS. It earned Good scores for the small overlap front and updated side tests, it has Good headlights and Good seat belt reminders and LATCH ease of use. It lost some points for Acceptable scores in the moderate side impact test and its front crash prevention system, though.
2
2026 Toyota GR86
CarBuzz Safety Score: A+
Despite its small stature and low weight that might scare some people who think only behemoth SUVs are safe, the Toyota GR86 is a remarkably safe coupe. It’s still fun, with its 50/50 weight distribution over both axles and a rear-wheel drive layout, but it’s fairly low-power and plenty of safety features add up to make for a great beginner’s sports car. It comes with features like seven airbags, an Active Safety Suite that includes pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle management, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, and more.
It also performed well in the IIHS’ crash tests. The institute’s front overlap test resulted in Good scores across the board, as did its headlights. Only the LATCH ease of use dropped to an Acceptable score for the lower anchors being too deep in the seat.
1
2026 Subaru BRZ
CarBuzz Safety Score: A+
Built on the same platform as the GR86, the Subaru BRZ shares most components with its Toyota sibling. Therefore, it’s great for all the same reasons: low-power, great weight distribution, RWD layout, and an optional manual transmission. That said, its IIHS crash test results were identical; the front overlap test came back with all Good scores, in addition to Good headlights and a Good front crash prevention system.
It comes with Subaru Eyesight that includes pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and more. Plus, it’s equipped with a dual-stage, advanced frontal airbag system, stability control, blind spot detection, and more.
Sources: Toyota, Dodge, Subaru, Volkswagen, BMW, Hyundai, Honda, Chevrolet, IIHS, NHTSA
