For parents and teenagers alike, the journey of learning to drive is filled with anticipation and a touch of anxiety. Teenagers, due to their limited experience and still-developing judgment, are statistically at a higher risk on the road. Choosing the right vehicle for a new driver is paramount, and it goes beyond just style and fuel efficiency. Safety, reliability, and affordability become the key pillars in this important decision.
Recognizing this critical need, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR) have collaborated to simplify the process of finding vehicles that meet these essential criteria for young drivers. This partnership provides data-driven recommendations to guide families toward making informed choices.
This guide offers two categories of used vehicles: “Best Choices” and “Good Choices,” differentiated primarily by price point to accommodate various budgets. For those prioritizing the highest level of safety and the latest technology, a separate list of recommended new vehicles is also provided. These recommendations are meticulously curated, focusing on vehicles that perform exceptionally well in safety tests and offer proven reliability.
Crucial First Step: Check for Recalls. Before purchasing any used vehicle, it is absolutely essential to check for any outstanding recalls. Utilize the vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate at checktoprotect.org to ensure the vehicle is safe and up-to-date with necessary repairs. Furthermore, to stay informed about future recalls, remember to notify the manufacturer of your purchase, and periodically check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database for new recalls every six months.
Best Choices — Used Vehicles for New Drivers
Updated May 22, 2024
The “Best Choices” list represents used vehicles that offer an optimal blend of safety features and crashworthiness, alongside excellent reliability and reasonable pricing. These vehicles meet stringent safety benchmarks, ensuring new drivers are well-protected on the road.
Every vehicle on this list exceeds 2,750 pounds in curb weight, a factor that contributes to better crash protection. They have earned “good” ratings in the IIHS’s original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraint tests. Furthermore, they achieve an “acceptable” or “good” rating in the critical driver-side small overlap test, which simulates crashes involving the front corner of the vehicle. For models rated by NHTSA, they consistently achieve 4 or 5-star overall safety ratings.
A distinguishing feature of “Best Choice” vehicles is the inclusion of standard automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems. These systems have earned an “advanced” or “superior” rating from IIHS in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention tests, demonstrating their effectiveness in mitigating or preventing collisions.
Reliability is another cornerstone of these recommendations. All “Best Choice” vehicles have garnered above-average reliability scores (4 or 5 out of 5) from Consumer Reports for the majority of the listed model years. They also demonstrate competent emergency handling, achieving scores of 3 out of 5 or higher in Consumer Reports’ handling assessments. Braking performance is equally important, with these vehicles capable of stopping from 60 mph to zero in 145 feet or less in dry conditions.
Pricing information, sourced from Kelley Blue Book as of April 19, 2024, reflects average U.S. values for private party purchases in good condition with typical mileage. Prices are rounded to the nearest $100 and represent the lowest trim level of the earliest applicable model year.
| 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 Offering Great Value
Updated May 22, 2024
The “Good Choices” list expands the options for used vehicles, presenting more budget-friendly alternatives that still prioritize safety and reliability for new drivers. While slightly more affordable than the “Best Choices,” these vehicles maintain solid safety ratings and dependability.
Similar to the “Best Choices,” all vehicles in the “Good Choices” category have a curb weight exceeding 2,750 pounds and achieve “good” ratings in the IIHS’s original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraint tests. They also secure an “acceptable” or “good” rating in the driver-side small overlap test and 4 or 5-star overall ratings from NHTSA, if tested.
These vehicles also meet the criteria for reliability and handling, with above-average reliability scores from Consumer Reports and satisfactory emergency handling scores. They also maintain the 145 feet or less dry braking distance from 60 mph.
Prices, again from Kelley Blue Book (April 19, 2024), are average U.S. values for used vehicles purchased from a private party in good condition.
It’s important to note that some models in the “Good Choices” list include a “built after” date. This specification is crucial as manufacturers sometimes implement safety improvements during a model year. The manufacturing date can be found on the certification label, typically located on the driver’s side door or doorjamb. Always verify this date to ensure you are getting the improved safety version.
| 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 Safety Picks: Recommended New Vehicles for New Drivers
Updated May 22, 2024
For those seeking the highest levels of safety and the latest automotive technology, considering a new vehicle is a viable option. This list comprises new vehicles that have achieved the prestigious 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ awards, representing the pinnacle of safety performance. These vehicles are equipped with standard vehicle-to-vehicle automatic emergency braking systems, a critical safety feature for new drivers.
Beyond exceptional crashworthiness, these recommended new vehicles also meet stringent criteria for reliability, handling, and user-friendliness. Based on Consumer Reports member surveys, they demonstrate average or better reliability. They also achieve average or better scores in Consumer Reports’ emergency handling tests and maintain dry braking distances of less than 140 feet from 60 mph. Furthermore, Consumer Reports rates these vehicles as “good” or better for the ease of use of their controls, an important factor for less experienced 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 |
