Owning a car is a necessity for many Americans, but did you know that cars are not just for men? In fact, women need vehicles in a variety of shapes and sizes.
While you may never see an advertisement or promotion for ‘female-friendly’ cars at a dealership, women have unique wants and preferences when it comes to driving.
So, what should a woman keep in mind when shopping for her next car? This article will guide you through the process.
1. Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is an ideal choice for modern city dwellers who want to stay connected while on the move.
This two-door car boasts a fun design and excellent performance, powered by an innovative gasoline engine that keeps drivers moving forward in style.
The sporty and stylish Fiat 500 was designed with women in mind. It offers a spacious, economical option that allows for fast, fun, and affordable commuting. This car makes it easy to get to work or run errands in style.
The 2025 Fiat 500e caters to a niche audience of urban dwellers with short commutes who are looking for an electric car—and are comfortable with its compact size, both inside and out.
This stylish hatchback delivers 117 horsepower, offering modest performance and a maximum claimed range of 149 miles on a single charge. The 500e is as much about making a fashion statement as it is about getting from point A to point B.
Fiat plans to keep things fresh by introducing new colors and styling updates in periodic “product drops.” Regardless of the variation, all models are expected to feature a generously sized infotainment touchscreen, a digital gauge cluster, essential driver-assistance systems, and a unique sense of charm.
While there are other EVs on the market offering more interior space, longer ranges, and greater power for a similar price, none can match the 500e’s adorable design and maneuverability, making it ideal for city parking.
2. Mini Cooper
The Mini Cooper is another perfect car for women, offering versatility as both a chic city vehicle and a fun weekend ride. Its sporty, modern design makes it one of the most popular choices in its class.
The Mini Cooper is also a great option for women with young children. Its size and handling make it easy to transport your little ones safely, and it’s comfortable enough for longer trips.
For women looking to get around town in style, the Mini Cooper offers both practicality and fun.
The Cooper C is powered by a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces a robust 156bhp. Stepping up to the Cooper S introduces an additional cylinder and an increase in displacement, featuring a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine that delivers 201bhp.
Both models send power exclusively to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, as manual Minis are now a thing of the past.
For those seeking even more performance, the John Cooper Works variant takes the same 2.0-liter engine and ramps it up to 231bhp, enabling a 0-62mph sprint in just 6.1 seconds.
3. Kia Forte
The Kia Forte is an excellent choice for an affordable and stylish car. While it may not be as fast as some of its competitors, it offers extra passenger space and a roomy trunk for added convenience.
The Kia Forte is known for its low maintenance costs and solid reliability, making it a top contender for today’s drivers.
For women who want a budget-friendly vehicle that doesn’t sacrifice too much in terms of power, the Kia Forte offers the perfect balance of price, performance, and practicality.
This car provides just what women need without breaking the bank.
4. Honda Fit
The Honda Fit is one of the most well-regarded vehicles in its class. It is consistently ranked as one of the best cars for women due to its reliable gasoline engine and the many benefits that come with owning a car.
The Honda Fit stands out as an excellent choice for women because it is affordable, fun to drive, and spacious.
Equipped with two-wheel drive, the Fit offers a distinctive appearance that sets it apart from other cars in its category.
This small, budget-friendly car is inexpensive to operate and maintain, making it an ideal option for women looking for a reliable vehicle at a reasonable price.
5. Audi TT
For women who desire a sporty, stylish vehicle with a long list of features, the Audi TT is a perfect match. This car is ideal for families, as it offers ample space to carry children and all their belongings.
If you’re seeking a vehicle that combines style, performance, and exceptional all-around efficiency, a used Audi TT could be the ideal car for you.
The current generation of the Audi TT has been on the market for quite some time, but it still manages to captivate with its striking design and engaging driving dynamics. However, it doesn’t position itself as a pure thrill machine for two.
Available in both coupe and convertible configurations, the TT is powered by a 228-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine. For those seeking extra power, the TTS steps it up with a 288-hp version of the same engine, offering noticeably more muscle.
Despite its appeal, rivals such as the Porsche 718 Cayman and Toyota Supra outperform the TT in terms of outright performance. Even the more potent TTS struggles to match these competitors in acceleration and handling sharpness.
Standard features across the TT lineup include all-wheel drive and a dual-clutch automatic transmission. Unfortunately, neither the TT nor the TTS offers a manual transmission, a limitation that detracts from its overall driver engagement.
6. Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta has been around for more than two decades and continues to be one of the top choices for women seeking an affordable vehicle that delivers excellent performance both on the open highway and in the city.
This compact car has earned a reputation for its quick acceleration, superb handling, and overall reliability on the road. The Ford Fiesta remains a popular option due to its practicality and dependability.
7. Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is an excellent option for women due to its stylish appearance and exciting performance.
Additionally, this vehicle is ideal for women who seek an affordable car that can offer reasonable comfort on the road.
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is known for its reliability and outstanding handling, making it one of the best cars for women today.
8. Volkswagen Polo GT
If you’re looking for an affordable car, the Volkswagen Polo GT could be your best option, especially if you shop around in this category.
This vehicle was designed with comfort, style, and performance in mind. It has received top ratings from both automotive experts and consumers.
The Volkswagen Polo GT is undoubtedly a great choice for women seeking a stylish yet affordable car.
This is the sixth generation of the Volkswagen Polo—hard to believe, isn’t it? If it sticks around until 2025, it’ll be approaching its 50th anniversary.
Launched in 2017, this generation is relatively old by automotive standards, though it received a facelift in 2021. The update brought it some modern features, including revamped infotainment and LED lighting.
Higher-spec versions even come with the full-width DRL (daytime running light) treatment that Volkswagen seems particularly fond of these days. It’s a polarizing feature, but fortunately, you don’t have to see it when you’re behind the wheel.
The Polo essentially feels like a scaled-down Golf. It shares its bigger sibling’s sensible, conservative interior design and offers a similarly refined driving experience.
The main trade-off is in cabin space, which is naturally more limited. Interestingly, the Polo may even have a slight edge over the current eighth-generation Golf, which has drawn mixed reviews, making this smaller model a compelling option in today’s market.
That said, the Polo remains firmly a combustion-engine-only vehicle. There’s no electric or hybrid variant, with just the bare minimum done to align with environmental considerations.
The small petrol engines do include a stop/start system, which cuts the engine while idling to help reduce fuel consumption.
At the time of writing, the Polo comes in seven trim levels: Life, Match, R-Line, Style, Black Edition, GTI, and GTI Edition 25. The range starts with the Life trim at £20,975.
Volkswagen describes the lineup as having a “simple Y structure,” which means after the Match trim, buyers can choose between the comfort-oriented Style or the sportier R-Line, both priced identically, before moving up to the GTI models. The high-performance GTI range begins at £30,195 and tops the lineup with the GTI Edition 25.
9. Honda Civic
The Honda Civic has long been one of the most popular vehicles in the country, offering exceptional style, performance, and reliability, making it an affordable option for many car buyers.
The Civic is also a top pick for women because it features a spacious interior, excellent fuel economy, and outstanding safety features, making it one of the safest cars on the road today.
10. Nissan Versa
The Nissan Versa is another attractive and budget-friendly option for women. It is a compact and affordable car that is perfect for vacations with your family.
Its spacious interior and safety features make it an ideal choice for both commuters and families with children.
This small car is both roomy and efficient, providing better performance than many other 5-door models on the market today.
With excellent fuel economy, the Nissan Versa is an ideal option for women seeking a practical yet efficient vehicle.
Before deciding that a new car is the best deal, consider other factors. The ultimate decision might depend on which car fits your lifestyle best and what works within your budget.
To make the best choice, it’s helpful to talk to friends or family, read online reviews, or even conduct research online.
You can also visit auto comparison websites, where prices are calculated based on each vehicle’s estimated average annual mileage.
With so many great options available, there’s no reason why women can’t drive a stylish, fun, and reliable car that enhances their daily commute to work.