Driving is a significant milestone for teenagers, offering freedom and independence. However, inexperience and immaturity make the roads riskier for young drivers. Choosing the right vehicle is paramount to ensure their safety without breaking the bank. Reliability and affordability are crucial factors for families when selecting a first car for their teen.
Recognizing these needs, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR) have collaborated to simplify the process of finding vehicles that excel in safety, reliability, and affordability for young drivers. This guide provides recommendations to help parents and teens make informed decisions.
Alt text: IIHS and Consumer Reports logos displayed side-by-side, representing their partnership in vehicle safety ratings and recommendations.
Our recommendations are categorized into 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 prioritizing the highest safety standards, we also present a list of new vehicles specifically recommended for teens.
Important Reminder: Check for Recalls! Before purchasing any used vehicle, it’s essential to check for outstanding recalls. Utilize the vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate at checktoprotect.org to ensure the vehicle is safe. After purchasing, notify 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 every six months.
Best Used First Cars: Top “Best Choices” for Teens
Updated May 22, 2024
The “Best Choices” list features used vehicles that meet stringent safety criteria. Every vehicle listed has a curb weight exceeding 2,750 pounds and has achieved “good” ratings from IIHS in critical crash tests, including the original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraint tests. Furthermore, they have earned an “acceptable” or “good” rating in the driver-side small overlap test. For models rated by NHTSA, they boast an overall score of 4 or 5 stars. A key safety feature of “Best Choice” vehicles is the standard automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems, which have earned an “advanced” or “superior” rating from IIHS in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention assessments.
Beyond safety, reliability is paramount. All “Best Choice” recommendations have earned above-average reliability scores from Consumer Reports (4 or 5 out of 5) for most of the listed model years. They also achieve a Consumer Reports emergency handling score of 3 out of 5 or higher and maintain dry braking distances (from 60 mph to zero) of 145 feet or less.
Pricing information is sourced from Kelley Blue Book (KBB) as of April 19, 2024, representing average U.S. values for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year, rounded to the nearest $100. These prices 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 Used First Car Options for Teen Drivers
Updated May 22, 2024
The “Good Choices” list offers more budget-friendly used vehicles that still prioritize safety. These vehicles maintain the same minimum curb weight of 2,750 pounds and achieve “good” ratings from IIHS in the original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraint tests, along with an “acceptable” or “good” rating in the driver-side small overlap test. They also hold a 4 or 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, if rated.
Reliability remains a key consideration for “Good Choices.” These vehicles also have above-average reliability scores from Consumer Reports (4 or 5 out of 5) for the majority of listed model years, with CR emergency handling scores of 3 out of 5 or better, and dry braking distances of 145 feet or less.
Prices are also provided by Kelley Blue Book (KBB) as of April 19, 2024, reflecting average U.S. values for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year, rounded to the nearest $100, based on the same conditions as the “Best Choices” list.
Some models in this category include a “built after” date. This specification is crucial when a manufacturer implements safety improvements mid-year. The vehicle’s manufacture date can be found on the certification label, typically located on the driver’s side door or 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 |
Alt text: A teenager and parent are pictured inside a car, symbolizing the collaborative decision-making process for selecting a safe vehicle for new drivers.
Recommended New Vehicles for Teen Drivers: Prioritizing Peak Safety
Updated May 22, 2024
For families prioritizing the highest level of safety, purchasing a new vehicle from the “Recommended new vehicles” list is an excellent choice. All vehicles listed are recipients of the 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award and come equipped with standard vehicle-to-vehicle automatic emergency braking.
These new vehicle recommendations also excel in reliability and usability. Each vehicle has achieved average or better reliability ratings based on Consumer Reports member surveys, along with average or better scores in CR’s emergency handling tests. They also maintain dry braking distances under 140 feet from 60 mph in Consumer Reports brake testing and receive a “good” or better rating from CR for ease of use of controls.
Prices are rounded to the nearest $100 and reflect Kelley Blue Book (KBB) 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 first car for a teen driver is a critical decision. By prioritizing safety, reliability, and considering budget, parents can significantly contribute to their teen’s safety on the road. This guide, developed in partnership between IIHS and Consumer Reports, offers a data-driven starting point for finding the ideal vehicle for young drivers. Remember to always check for recalls and prioritize vehicles with strong safety ratings and features like automatic emergency braking.
