Driving is a pivotal moment for teenagers, offering freedom and responsibility. However, it also brings concerns, especially for parents, about safety and the often-high cost of car insurance for young drivers. Choosing the right vehicle is crucial; it can significantly impact both your teen’s safety on the road and your insurance premiums.
The combination of inexperience and developing judgment makes teenage drivers statistically riskier. Therefore, selecting a vehicle that prioritizes safety features, reliability, and affordability is paramount. To simplify this process, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR) have collaborated to identify vehicles that meet these critical criteria, making it easier for parents and teens to find the Best Car For Teenage Insurance and overall peace of mind.
This guide presents recommendations for both used and new vehicles. Used options are categorized into “Best Choices” and “Good Choices,” with prices ranging from under $6,000 to nearly $20,000. For those seeking the highest safety standards, a separate list of new vehicles for teens is also provided. These recommendations are designed to help you find a vehicle that is not only safe and reliable but also contributes to potentially lower insurance costs for teenage drivers.
Before purchasing any used vehicle, remember to check for recalls! Utilize the vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate at checktoprotect.org to ensure there are no outstanding recalls. Furthermore, inform the manufacturer of your purchase to receive future recall notifications. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also advises owners to regularly check their database for new recalls every six months.
Best Used Car Choices for Teenagers and Insurance
Updated May 22, 2024
These “Best Choices” used vehicles are selected to provide a strong combination of safety and reliability, factors that insurance companies consider when setting premiums for teenage drivers. All vehicles listed weigh over 2,750 pounds, offering better crash protection. They have earned “good” ratings in critical IIHS crash tests, including 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, these vehicles achieved 4 or 5 stars overall. Critically, “Best Choice” vehicles come standard with automatic emergency braking systems, earning an “advanced” or “superior” rating from IIHS in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention tests – a feature that can significantly reduce accident risk and potentially lower insurance costs.
Reliability is another key factor for teenage drivers and insurance affordability. All recommended vehicles have above-average reliability scores (4 or 5 out of 5) from Consumer Reports for most listed model years and demonstrate good emergency handling. Their dry braking distances from 60 mph are 145 feet or less, indicating good stopping capability.
Prices are sourced from Kelley Blue Book as of April 19, 2024, representing average U.S. values for the lowest trim level and earliest model year listed, 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 Used Car Choices for Teenagers Seeking Lower Insurance Rates
Updated May 22, 2024
“Good Choices” represent a slightly more affordable tier of used vehicles that still prioritize safety and reliability, making them excellent options when considering the best car for teenage insurance on a budget. These vehicles meet the same minimum weight requirement (over 2,750 pounds) and achieve “good” ratings in the IIHS moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraint tests, and at least an “acceptable” rating in the driver-side small overlap test. They also have 4 or 5-star overall safety ratings from NHTSA, if rated.
Like the “Best Choices,” these “Good Choices” vehicles have above-average reliability from Consumer Reports and good emergency handling scores. They also maintain the dry braking distance standard of 145 feet or less from 60 mph. Choosing from this list can help balance safety and cost, potentially leading to more manageable insurance premiums for your teenage driver.
Prices are also from Kelley Blue Book (April 19, 2024) and reflect the same criteria as “Best Choices” for used vehicles. Note that some models may have a “built after” date, indicating safety improvements made mid-year. Check the certification label on the driver’s side door to verify 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 |
Top New Vehicles for Teenagers with Insurance Considerations
Updated May 22, 2024
For those prioritizing the latest safety technology and willing to invest in a new vehicle, these models represent the pinnacle of safety and are excellent choices when considering the best car for teenage insurance. All listed vehicles are 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award winners and include standard vehicle-to-vehicle automatic emergency braking. These top safety ratings and advanced safety features can be significant factors in lowering insurance premiums.
In addition to exceptional safety, these new vehicles have average or better reliability based on Consumer Reports surveys, good or better emergency handling scores, and short dry braking distances (under 140 feet from 60 mph). They also receive a “good” or better rating from Consumer Reports for ease of use of controls, an important factor for new drivers.
Prices are Kelley Blue Book New Car Fair Purchase Prices as of April 19, 2024, 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 teenage insurance involves considering both safety and cost. By selecting a vehicle from these recommended lists, you are prioritizing your teen’s safety while also potentially mitigating the financial burden of insurance. Remember to consult with your insurance provider to understand how specific vehicle choices may impact your premiums.
