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Getting a driver’s license is exciting, but picking the right first car takes some thought. Horsepower affects how a car drives, how safe it is, and how much it costs to own.
A car with too much power can be hard to control, while one with too little might feel slow. Finding the right balance makes driving safer and easier.
Many new drivers forget that insurance and financing matter too. CarMoney, a well-known broker, helps buyers find affordable options.
Cars with lower horsepower are usually cheaper to insure and maintain, making them a smart choice for beginners. Choosing wisely can save money and make driving less stressful.
This guide will explain how much horsepower a first car should have.
How Much Horsepower Do You Really Need in a First Car?
Horsepower is the measure of how powerful an engine is. More power means faster acceleration and higher speed. But high HP also means higher insurance, more fuel costs, and a greater risk of losing control.
Picking the right power for your first car is important. Too much can make the vehicle hard to control, while too little can make driving frustrating.
A good first drive should be easy to handle, safe, and affordable.
Best Power Range for Beginners
- 60-90 HP – Best for city driving, low insurance, and fuel savings. Good for small, light cars.
- 90-120 HP – A good balance of power and control. Works well for most new drivers.
- 120-150 HP – Acceptable but requires more caution. Faster acceleration and higher insurance.
- 150+ HP – Not recommended. These cars are harder to control and cost more to insure.
Is There a Law Limiting HP for New Drivers?
Laws on horsepower limits for new drivers vary by country and region.
Some places enforce strict restrictions, while others leave it to insurance costs and common sense.
Countries With Power Limits for New Drivers
Many countries have restrictions to reduce accidents among inexperienced drivers. Some focus on horsepower, while others use power-to-weight ratios or specific engine capacity limits.
- United Kingdom – No direct horsepower limit, but high-powered cars are extremely expensive to insure for new drivers. Many insurance companies refuse coverage for vehicles over 150 HP.
- Australia – Some states restrict provisional (P-plate) drivers from using high-performance cars. Restrictions often apply to cars exceeding 130 kW per tonne (174 HP per ton). Certain turbocharged and supercharged engines are also banned.
- Italy – New drivers cannot drive cars exceeding 70 kW (94 HP) and a power-to-weight ratio of 55 kW per ton for the first year after obtaining a license.
- France – Drivers under 21 or with less than three years of experience face restrictions similar to Italy. Cars exceeding 95 HP are not allowed.
- Japan – No direct horsepower limit, but new drivers are advised against high-performance sports cars. Strict penalties apply for reckless driving, making high-HP cars a risky choice.
Countries Without HP Limits
Some countries have no specific horsepower laws for new drivers but rely on insurance companies to make powerful cars unaffordable.
- United States – No nationwide horsepower restrictions exist, but insurance costs skyrocket for young drivers with high-HP vehicles. Some states have restrictions on modifications that increase horsepower.
- Canada – No federal horsepower limits, but certain provinces have graduated licensing systems with restrictions on engine size and modifications.
Will a Low-HP Car Feel Too Slow?
Many new drivers worry that a car with low horsepower will feel sluggish or struggle in real-world situations.
A slower acceleration might seem frustrating at first, but that does not mean the driving experience will be a problem.
Cars with 60-120 HP are more than capable of handling city traffic, highway speeds, and daily commutes.
Personal experience often proves that lower horsepower is not as limiting as people expect.
How Much Power is Enough for Everyday Driving?
City Driving – A car with 60-90 HP is plenty for stop-and-go traffic, quick starts at intersections, and smooth maneuvering in urban areas. Compact cars in this range feel light, are easy to park, and handle well in tight spaces. Personal experience in a 70 HP hatchback showed that city driving rarely requires high speed, and careful timing at traffic lights was enough to keep up with the flow.
Highway Merging and Passing – A car with 90-120 HP allows for safe acceleration when merging onto highways or passing slower vehicles. Anything below 90 HP may feel sluggish when trying to overtake, requiring patience and a longer stretch of road. Driving a 1.2L engine with around 85 HP on highways revealed that planning overtakes and merging early made up for the lack of immediate power. Timing becomes a key skill rather than raw acceleration.
Hills and Steep Roads – Lower-powered cars can struggle on steep inclines, especially when carrying passengers or extra weight. A car with at least 90 HP manages hills more easily without forcing the engine to overwork. A personal trip through a mountainous region in an 88 HP sedan proved that keeping the car in the right gear and maintaining steady speed was enough to climb steep roads without issues. However, fully loading the car with luggage and passengers made the engine work noticeably harder.
How Horsepower Affects Insurance Costs for New Drivers
Many new drivers focus on how fast or powerful a car is, but insurance costs are just as important.
A car with high horsepower costs significantly more to insure, especially for young or inexperienced drivers. Insurance companies see high-HP cars as a bigger risk, leading to higher premiums.
Why Do Insurance Companies Charge More for High-HP Cars?
Insurance companies calculate risk based on how likely a car is to be involved in an accident and how expensive it is to repair. High-horsepower cars come with several risks:
- Faster Acceleration – A powerful car can go from 0 to 60 much quicker, increasing the chances of reckless driving or loss of control.
- More Severe Accidents – Cars with higher horsepower tend to be driven at higher speeds, leading to more damage in an accident.
- Expensive Repairs – High-performance engines, specialized parts, and advanced features make repairs costlier.
How Much More Does Insurance Cost for High-HP Cars?
Insurance costs vary by location, driver history, and the car model, but HP plays a big role in pricing.
| Horsepower Range | Estimated Monthly Insurance Cost (Young Driver) |
| 60-90 HP | $80 – $120 |
| 90-120 HP | $100 – $160 |
| 120-150 HP | $150 – $220 |
| 150+ HP | $200+ |
FAQs
Final Words
Choosing the right horsepower for a first car is about balance. A car with 60-120 HP provides enough power for daily driving without unnecessary risks or high costs. Going beyond 150 HP leads to higher insurance, more fuel consumption, and increased chances of accidents.
Laws in some countries restrict new drivers from using high-HP cars, but even where there are no limits, insurance companies make powerful cars expensive to own. A first car should be safe, easy to control, and affordable—not a high-speed machine that is difficult to handle.
