For parents of teenagers, few things are more nerve-wracking than handing over the car keys. Teen drivers, due to a combination of inexperience and still-developing judgment, are statistically at a higher risk on the road. If your teen is about to start driving, choosing the right vehicle is paramount. Safety is the number one priority, but reliability and affordability are also crucial factors for most families. Finding a car that balances all three can feel like a daunting task.
Fortunately, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR) have teamed up to simplify this process. By combining their expertise, they’ve created a list of recommended vehicles that excel in safety, dependability, and value, making it easier to find the Best Cars For Teens.
This guide presents two tiers of used vehicles: “Best Choices” and “Good Choices,” offering a range of price points from under $6,000 to nearly $20,000. For those considering a new car, a separate list of “Recommended New Vehicles” provides options with the highest levels of safety technology available today. Whether you’re looking for the best first car for a teen or simply prioritizing safety for your young driver, this guide will help you navigate the options.
Before purchasing any used vehicle, always check for recalls. Use the vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate at CheckToProtect.org to ensure there are no outstanding safety recalls. 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 Choices — Used Cars for Teens
Updated May 22, 2024
The “Best Choices” list represents used vehicles that offer the highest level of safety within their respective price ranges. These vehicles meet stringent criteria from both IIHS and Consumer Reports. Every vehicle listed has a curb weight exceeding 2,750 pounds, providing better crash protection in multi-vehicle accidents. They also achieve “good” ratings in IIHS’s original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraint tests, and at least an “acceptable” rating in the driver-side small overlap test. For models rated by NHTSA, they have earned an overall score of 4 or 5 stars. 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. This feature is a significant safety advantage, helping to prevent or mitigate frontal collisions.
Beyond safety, reliability is key, especially for young drivers. All “Best Choice” vehicles have received above-average reliability scores (4 or 5 out of 5) from Consumer Reports for the majority of the listed model years. They also demonstrate good emergency handling, scoring 3 out of 5 or higher in CR’s emergency handling tests, and have a dry braking distance of 145 feet or less when stopping from 60 mph. These handling and braking characteristics contribute to accident avoidance.
Prices listed are average U.S. values from Kelley Blue Book as of April 19, 2024, rounded to the nearest $100. These prices reflect the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year, assuming the vehicle is in good condition with typical mileage and is purchased from a private party. These represent excellent safe and affordable cars for teens.
| 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 Cars for Teens
Updated May 22, 2024
The “Good Choices” list offers more budget-friendly used vehicles that still prioritize safety. These vehicles meet slightly less stringent criteria than the “Best Choices” but still provide a good level of protection for young drivers. Like the “Best Choices,” all “Good Choices” vehicles have a curb weight over 2,750 pounds and achieve “good” ratings in the IIHS original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraint tests, and at least an “acceptable” rating in the driver-side small overlap test. If rated by NHTSA, they also earn 4 or 5 stars overall.
These recommended vehicles also maintain above-average reliability scores from Consumer Reports (4 or 5 out of 5) for most listed model years and achieve CR emergency handling scores of 3 out of 5 or higher. Their dry braking distances from 60 mph are also 145 feet or less. These are still excellent used cars for teens focused on safety and reliability.
Prices are sourced from Kelley Blue Book as of April 19, 2024, and are average U.S. values rounded to the nearest $100, for the lowest trim level and earliest model year. These prices are based on a vehicle in good condition, with typical mileage, and purchased from a private party.
Some models in this list include a “built after” date. This specification is important because manufacturers sometimes make safety improvements mid-year. The manufacturing date can be found on the certification label typically located on the driver’s side door or doorjamb. When considering these models, ensure the vehicle was manufactured after the specified date to benefit from the enhanced safety features, making them even better safe used cars for teens.
| 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 Teens
Updated May 22, 2024
For families prioritizing the absolute highest level of safety and the latest technology, new vehicles are the optimal choice. The “Recommended New Vehicles” list includes models that are 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award winners and come standard with vehicle-to-vehicle automatic emergency braking. These accolades signify the highest standards of crash protection and crash avoidance. These represent the best new cars for teen drivers in terms of safety.
In addition to superior safety ratings, these new vehicles also meet high standards for reliability and usability. All models have average or better reliability ratings based on Consumer Reports member surveys. They also achieve average or better scores in CR’s emergency handling tests and have dry braking distances of less than 140 feet from 60 mph in CR’s brake tests. Furthermore, they receive a rating of “good” or better from CR for the ease of use of their controls, a factor that can be particularly important for new drivers.
Prices are based on Kelley Blue Book New Car Fair Purchase Prices as of April 19, 2024, rounded to the nearest $100, for the least expensive trim level. While representing a larger investment, these vehicles offer the pinnacle of safety and technology, making them exceptional safe cars for teenagers.
| 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 right car for your teen is a significant decision. Prioritizing safety, reliability, and affordability will set your young driver up for success and peace of mind. Utilize these lists from IIHS and Consumer Reports as a starting point in your car search to find the best car for your teen driver. Remember to always check for recalls and encourage safe driving habits.
