For parents of teenagers, few things are as nerve-wracking as the moment their child starts driving. Teenage drivers, due to a combination of inexperience and still-developing judgment, are statistically at a higher risk on the road. Ensuring your teen is driving the safest vehicle possible is paramount. However, safety isn’t the only concern. Reliability and affordability are also crucial factors for families when choosing a car for a young driver.
Fortunately, finding a vehicle that balances these critical aspects doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR) have collaborated to create straightforward recommendations, making the search for the ideal car for teens much easier.
This guide presents top vehicle picks in two categories of used cars: “Best Choices” and “Good Choices,” alongside a list of recommended new vehicles that offer the highest levels of safety. Whether you’re seeking a budget-friendly option or prioritizing the latest safety technology, this resource will help you navigate the options.
Important Reminder: Check for Recalls! Before purchasing any used vehicle, it’s essential to check for open recalls. Use the vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate at https://checktoprotect.org/ to ensure the vehicle is safe. After purchasing, notify the manufacturer to receive future recall notices. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also recommends checking their database for new recalls every six months.
Best Used Cars for Teens: Top Safety Choices
Updated May 22, 2024
The “Best Choices” list features used vehicles that provide a superior level of safety for young drivers. All vehicles listed weigh over 2,750 pounds and have earned “good” ratings in the IIHS’s original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraint tests. They also achieve an “acceptable” or “good” rating in the driver-side small overlap test. For models rated by NHTSA, they received an overall score of 4 or 5 stars. Crucially, “Best Choice” vehicles come standard with automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems that are rated “advanced” or “superior” by IIHS in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention tests.
Beyond safety, reliability is key. All recommended vehicles boast above-average reliability scores (4 or 5 out of 5) from Consumer Reports for most of their listed model years, and CR emergency handling scores of 3 out of 5 or higher. They also have a dry braking distance of 145 feet or less when braking from 60 mph to zero.
Prices are sourced from Kelley Blue Book (https://www.kbb.com/), rounded to the nearest $100, and reflect average U.S. values from April 19, 2024. These prices are for the base trim level and earliest applicable model year, assuming a “good condition” vehicle with typical mileage purchased from a private party.
| Small cars | Model years | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Corolla sedan or hatchback | Sedan — 2017 or newer; hatchback — 2019 | $10,600 |
| Toyota Prius | 2017 or newer | $13,800 |
| Mazda 3 sedan or hatchback | 2021-22 | $16,400 |
| Toyota Prius Prime | 2017 or newer | $17,000 |
| Honda Civic sedan or hatchback | 2021 or newer | $17,600 |
| Midsize cars | Model years | Price |
| Toyota Camry | 2018 or newer | $9,600 |
| Volvo S60 | 2017, 2021 | $10,200 |
| Volvo V60 | 2017,2021 | $12,300 |
| Subaru Legacy | 2019 | $14,700 |
| Hyundai Sonata | 2021 | $17,200 |
| Honda Accord sedan | 2020 | $19,200 |
| Large car | Model years | Price |
| Toyota Avalon | 2017 or newer | $14,400 |
| Small SUVs | Model years | Price |
| Chevrolet Equinox | 2020, 2023 | $13,800 |
| Kia Sportage | 2020 or newer | $14,400 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 2017 or newer | $14,700 |
| Hyundai Tucson | 2020 or newer | $14,900 |
| GMC Terrain | 2020, 2023 | $16,100 |
| Mazda CX-5 | 2021-23 | $17,600 |
| Lexus UX | 2019-21 | $18,100 |
| Honda CR-V | 2020 or newer | $18,700 |
| Nissan Rogue | 2021 | $19,000 |
| Subaru Forester | 2021 or newer | $19,000 |
| Mazda CX-30 | 2022 or newer | $19,900 |
| Midsize SUVs | Model years | Price |
| Volvo XC60 | 2017 | $12,100 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 2019, 2020, 2023 | $15,200 |
| Toyota Highlander | 2017 or newer | $15,700 |
| Nissan Murano | 2019, 2020 | $15,900 |
| Ford Edge | 2020 or newer | $16,700 |
| Lexus NX | 2018-21 | $17,100 |
| Infiniti QX60 | 2019 | $17,800 |
| Mazda CX-9 | 2020, 2022 | $18,800 |
| Minivan | Model years | Price |
| Toyota Sienna | 2018-20 | $19,100 |
Good Used Cars for Teens: Affordable and Safe Options
Updated May 22, 2024
The “Good Choices” list offers more budget-friendly used vehicles that still provide solid safety for teen drivers. These vehicles meet the same weight and crash test rating criteria as the “Best Choices” list: a curb weight over 2,750 pounds, “good” ratings in the IIHS original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraint tests, and an “acceptable” or “good” rating in the driver-side small overlap test. They also have 4- or 5-star overall ratings from NHTSA, if rated.
Similar to the “Best Choices,” these “Good Choices” vehicles also have above-average reliability scores from Consumer Reports (4 or 5 out of 5) for most listed model years and CR emergency handling scores of 3 out of 5 or higher. Their dry braking distances are also 145 feet or less from 60 mph.
Prices are from Kelley Blue Book (https://www.kbb.com/), rounded to the nearest $100, and represent average U.S. values as of April 19, 2024. Prices reflect the lowest trim level and earliest model year, assuming a “good condition” vehicle with typical mileage purchased from a private party.
Some models in this category have a “built after” date. This designation is important because manufacturers sometimes make safety improvements mid-year. The vehicle’s certification label, usually located on the driver’s side door or doorjamb, indicates the manufacturing date.
| Small cars | Model years | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda 3 sedan or hatchback | 2014-17; built after October 2013 | $5,800 |
| Ford C-Max Hybrid | 2015-16 | $7,100 |
| Honda Civic sedan | 2014 | $7,900 |
| Toyota Prius | 2014-16; built after November 2013 | $9,400 |
| Subaru Impreza sedan and wagon | 2019-20 | $13,200 |
| Midsize cars | Model years | Price |
| Mazda 6 | 2015-17 | $8,400 |
| Toyota Camry | 2014-17; built after December 2013 | $9,000 |
| Toyota Prius v | 2015-17 | $10,200 |
| Honda Accord coupe or sedan | 2015-17 | $10,500 |
| Subaru Legacy | 2017-18 | $11,600 |
| BMW 3 series | 2018 | $13,800 |
| Large car | Model years | Price |
| Toyota Avalon | 2015-16 | $12,600 |
| Small SUVs | Model years | Price |
| Mazda CX-5 | 2016 | $10,100 |
| Hyundai Kona | 2018-19 | $11,000 |
| Honda CR-V | 2015-19 | $11,400 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | 2018-19 | $11,600 |
| Honda HR-V | 2017-22; built after March 2017 | $11,600 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 2015-16; built after November 2014 | $12,000 |
| GMC Terrain | 2018-19 | $12,700 |
| Midsize SUVs | Model years | Price |
| Nissan Murano | 2016 | $9,900 |
| Toyota Highlander | 2014-16 | $11,700 |
| Lexus NX | 2015-17 | $12,100 |
| Acura RDX | 2016 | $13,500 |
| Mazda CX-9 | 2018 | $14,200 |
| Minivans | Model years | Price |
| Toyota Sienna | 2016-17 | $12,600 |
| Honda Odyssey | 2017 | $14,400 |
Recommended New Cars for Teens: Ultimate Safety and Peace of Mind
Updated May 22, 2024
For those prioritizing the highest level of safety and the latest features, the recommended new vehicles list is the ideal starting point. Every vehicle here is a 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award winner, equipped with standard vehicle-to-vehicle automatic emergency braking. These accolades represent the pinnacle of safety performance in the automotive industry.
In addition to top-tier safety ratings, these new vehicles also score at least “average” in Consumer Reports’ reliability surveys and emergency handling tests. They also achieve dry braking distances of under 140 feet from 60 mph in CR’s brake tests and receive a “good” or better rating from CR for ease of use of their controls – an important factor for new drivers.
Prices, rounded to the nearest $100, are Kelley Blue Book (http://www.kbb.com/) New Car Fair Purchase Prices as of April 19, 2024, for the base trim level.
| Small cars | Price |
|---|---|
| Subaru Impreza | $23,400 |
| Mazda 3 sedan or hatchback | $24,300 |
| Toyota Prius | $28,300 |
| Toyota Prius Prime | $33,600 |
| Midsize cars | Price |
| Toyota Camry | $26,900 |
| Honda Accord | $28,200 |
| Subaru Outback | $29,300 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 except dual-motor | $37,700 |
| Small SUVs | Price |
| Mazda CX-30 | $25,700 |
| Kia Sportage | $27,300 |
| Hyundai Tucson | $27,800 |
| Honda CR-V | $29,700 |
| Mazda CX-50 built after August 2023 | $31,200 |
| Lexus UX | $35,300 |
| Midsize SUVs | Price |
| Subaru Ascent | $35,000 |
| Kia Telluride | $36,300 |
| Hyundai Palisade | $37,000 |
| Honda Pilot | $37,200 |
| Mazda CX-90 | $38,800 |
| Lexus NX | $39,600 |
| Minivan | Price |
| Honda Odyssey | $38,200 |
| Pickup | Price |
| Hyundai Santa Cruz | $27,500 |
Conclusion: Prioritizing Teen Driver Safety
Choosing the right car for your teenager is a significant decision. By prioritizing safety, along with reliability and affordability, you can equip your young driver with a vehicle that minimizes risk and provides peace of mind. Whether you opt for a well-vetted used model from the “Best Choices” or “Good Choices” lists, or invest in a new vehicle with cutting-edge safety technology, these recommendations from IIHS and Consumer Reports are designed to guide you towards making the best possible choice for your teen driver.
Alt text for images:
- First image (IIHS-HLDI & Consumer Reports collaboration): Collaboration logo of IIHS-HLDI and Consumer Reports highlighting their joint effort in vehicle safety ratings for consumers.
- Second image (Teen and parent in car): A smiling teenager and parent in a car, representing the importance of choosing safe vehicles for young drivers and family discussions around car safety.
- Third image (IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award): The IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus award badge, symbolizing the highest safety rating a vehicle can achieve and recognition of superior crash protection.
