Alt text: Collaboration logo of IIHS-HLDI and Consumer Reports, highlighting vehicle safety and reliability ratings.
For parents of teenagers, the prospect of their child getting behind the wheel can be nerve-wracking. Teenage drivers, due to a combination of inexperience and still-developing maturity, are statistically at a higher risk on the road. Ensuring your teen has a safe vehicle is paramount. However, safety isn’t the only concern; reliability and affordability are also crucial factors for families when choosing a car for a teenager.
Recognizing these challenges, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR) have partnered to simplify the process of finding vehicles that meet these critical needs. Their joint recommendations highlight cars that excel in safety, dependability, and value, providing parents and young drivers with a trusted guide.
Alt text: A teenager and parent looking at a car interior, symbolizing the decision-making process for teen vehicle safety.
This guide offers recommendations across two categories of used vehicles: “Best Choices” and “Good Choices,” differentiated by price point to accommodate various budgets. For those prioritizing the latest safety technology, a separate list of “Recommended New Vehicles for Teens” is also provided, representing the highest standards in safety today.
Before you buy any used vehicle, always check for recalls! It’s essential to use the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate to check for any outstanding recalls before finalizing a used car purchase. Register your purchase with the manufacturer to receive future recall notifications. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also advises vehicle owners to regularly check their database for new recalls, approximately every six months.
Best Choices — Used Vehicles for Teenagers
Updated May 22, 2024
The “Best Choices” list represents used vehicles that offer an exceptional level of safety and reliability for teenage drivers. To qualify as a “Best Choice,” vehicles must meet stringent criteria: a curb weight exceeding 2,750 pounds for enhanced crash protection, and “good” ratings from the IIHS in key crash tests, including the original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraint evaluations. They must also achieve at least an “acceptable” rating in the driver-side small overlap test. For models rated by NHTSA, a 4- or 5-star overall safety rating is required. Crucially, “Best Choice” vehicles come standard with automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems that have earned an “advanced” or “superior” rating from IIHS in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention tests.
Beyond safety, reliability is paramount. All “Best Choice” vehicles have earned above-average reliability scores (4 or 5 out of 5) from Consumer Reports for the majority of their listed model years, alongside CR emergency handling scores of 3 out of 5 or higher. Braking performance is also considered, with a dry braking distance from 60 mph to zero of 145 feet or less.
Pricing information, sourced from Kelley Blue Book and rounded to the nearest $100, reflects average U.S. values as of April 19, 2024, for the base trim level and earliest applicable model year. These price estimates are based on a vehicle in good condition 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 Choices — Used Vehicles for Teenagers
Updated May 22, 2024
The “Good Choices” list provides a selection of slightly more affordable used vehicles that still prioritize safety for young drivers. These vehicles maintain the same minimum curb weight of 2,750 pounds and “good” ratings from IIHS in the original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraint tests. They also must achieve at least an “acceptable” rating in the driver-side small overlap test and a 4- or 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, if rated.
Similar to the “Best Choices,” “Good Choices” vehicles also boast 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 better. They also meet the 145-foot or less dry braking distance from 60 mph.
Prices for “Good Choices” vehicles, also from Kelley Blue Book and rounded to the nearest $100, are average U.S. values from April 19, 2024, for the lowest trim level and earliest model year. These estimates are based on the same criteria as “Best Choices”: vehicle in good condition, typical mileage, and private party purchase.
It’s important to note that some models on the “Good Choices” list include a “built after” date. This designation indicates that the manufacturer implemented safety improvements during the middle of that model year. The vehicle’s manufacture date can be found on the certification label, typically located on the driver’s side doorjamb.
| 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 Vehicles for Teenagers
Updated May 22, 2024
For families prioritizing the highest level of safety and the latest technology, new vehicles are an excellent option. The “Recommended New Vehicles” list comprises models that are 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award winners, ensuring they meet the highest crash protection standards. All vehicles on this list are equipped with standard vehicle-to-vehicle automatic emergency braking.
In addition to top-tier safety ratings, these new vehicles also meet Consumer Reports’ criteria for reliability and performance. They have average or better reliability ratings based on CR member surveys, average or better scores in CR’s emergency handling tests, and achieve dry braking distances of less than 140 feet from 60 mph in CR brake tests. Furthermore, they receive a “good” or better rating from CR for ease of use of their controls, an important factor for new drivers.
Prices listed are Kelley Blue Book New Car Fair Purchase Prices as of April 19, 2024, rounded to the nearest $100, for the least expensive 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 |
Choosing the best car for a teenager involves careful consideration of safety, reliability, and budget. Whether opting for a dependable used vehicle from the “Best Choices” or “Good Choices” lists, or investing in the advanced safety features of a recommended new car, prioritizing these factors can contribute to safer driving experiences for young drivers. Always remember to check for recalls and stay informed about vehicle safety updates.
