Choosing the right car for a teenager is a significant decision for any family. Teen drivers, due to their combination of inexperience and developing maturity, are statistically at a higher risk on the road. Therefore, prioritizing safety features, alongside reliability and affordability, becomes paramount when selecting a vehicle for them.
Fortunately, resources are available to guide parents and young drivers in making informed choices. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR), two leading organizations in vehicle safety and reliability, have collaborated to create recommendations that simplify the process of finding a car that meets these crucial criteria.
This guide highlights standout used vehicles, categorized as “Best Choices” and “Good Choices,” offering a range of price points from under $6,000 to nearly $20,000. For those considering new vehicles, a separate list provides even higher safety standards.
Before purchasing any used vehicle, it’s crucial to check for open recalls. Utilize the vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate at https://checktoprotect.org/ to ensure the vehicle is not subject to any outstanding safety recalls. After purchasing, remember to notify the manufacturer 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 Teen Drivers
Updated May 22, 2024
The “Best Choices” list comprises used vehicles that excel in safety, reliability, and braking performance. Every vehicle listed weighs over 2,750 pounds and has achieved “good” ratings in the IIHS’s original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraint tests. They also earned 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, these “Best Choices” vehicles come standard with automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems that are rated “advanced” or “superior” by IIHS in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention tests.
Reliability is another key factor. All recommended vehicles have received above-average reliability scores (4 or 5 out of 5) from Consumer Reports for most of the listed model years. They also achieve a Consumer Reports emergency handling score of 3 out of 5 or higher and demonstrate dry braking distances from 60 mph to zero of 145 feet or less.
Prices are based on Kelley Blue Book (https://www.kbb.com/) average U.S. values from April 19, 2024, rounded to the nearest $100. These prices represent the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year, assuming 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 Teen Drivers
Updated May 22, 2024
The “Good Choices” list provides more budget-friendly used vehicle options that still prioritize safety and reliability. These vehicles meet the same minimum weight and crash test performance standards as the “Best Choices,” earning “good” ratings in the 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. NHTSA ratings, if available, are 4 or 5 stars overall.
Similar to the “Best Choices,” these “Good Choices” vehicles have above-average reliability scores from Consumer Reports for the majority of their listed model years, a CR emergency handling score of 3 out of 5 or better, and dry braking distances of 145 feet or less.
Prices are also sourced from Kelley Blue Book (https://www.kbb.com/), using the same criteria as the “Best Choices” list.
Some models in this category include a “built after” date. This designation is important as it indicates when a manufacturer implemented safety improvements during a model year. The vehicle’s certification label, typically located on the driver’s side door or doorjamb, will provide the 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 Recommended New Cars for Teens
Updated May 22, 2024
For those prioritizing the highest level of safety, considering a new vehicle is an excellent option. The vehicles listed here are all 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award winners, the highest safety designations from IIHS. They all come standard with vehicle-to-vehicle automatic emergency braking systems.
Beyond safety ratings, these new vehicles also meet stringent criteria for reliability and performance. Each model has average or better reliability ratings based on Consumer Reports member surveys, average or better scores in CR’s emergency handling tests, and braking distances of less than 140 feet from 60 mph in CR’s brake tests. Additionally, they receive a “good” or better rating from Consumer Reports for ease of use of their controls, a practical consideration for new drivers.
Prices listed are Kelley Blue Book (http://www.kbb.com/) 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 a great car for your teen involves carefully considering safety, reliability, and budget. By utilizing resources like the IIHS and Consumer Reports recommendations, and remembering to check for recalls, parents and teenagers can work together to make a smart and safe vehicle choice.
