Driving is a significant milestone for teenagers, offering newfound freedom and responsibility. However, inexperience behind the wheel makes safety paramount. For parents and new drivers alike, choosing the right vehicle is a crucial decision. Safety, reliability, and affordability are the key factors to consider when selecting a car for a new driver.
Recognizing these priorities, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR) have collaborated to provide clear guidance. Together, they have identified vehicles that excel in safety and reliability, making the selection process easier for families seeking the best car for a new driver.
This guide leverages the expertise of both organizations to recommend used and new vehicles that meet stringent safety criteria while also being dependable and reasonably priced. For young drivers, starting with a vehicle that minimizes risk and maximizes protection is a smart and responsible choice.
Best Used Cars for New Drivers: Balancing Safety and Budget
For many families, a used car represents a practical and budget-friendly option for a new driver. The IIHS and Consumer Reports have categorized used vehicles into “Best Choices” and “Good Choices,” offering varying price points to accommodate different budgets.
What Makes a “Best Choice” Used Car?
Vehicles listed as “Best Choices” meet high safety standards and include advanced safety features. These vehicles all share the following criteria:
- Weight: A curb weight exceeding 2,750 pounds provides better crash protection.
- IIHS Safety Ratings: Good ratings in the IIHS’s original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraint tests are essential. An acceptable or good rating in the driver-side small overlap test is also required.
- NHTSA Safety Ratings: If rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these vehicles achieve 4 or 5 stars overall.
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): “Best Choices” come standard with automatic emergency braking systems that earn an advanced or superior rating from IIHS in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention tests. This technology can significantly reduce the risk of front-end collisions.
- Reliability: Consumer Reports scores indicate above-average reliability (4 or 5 out of 5) for most listed model years.
- Emergency Handling: CR emergency handling scores are greater than or equal to 3 out of 5, indicating stable and predictable handling in critical situations.
- Braking Performance: Dry braking distances from 60 mph to zero are 145 feet or less, ensuring effective stopping power.
Best Choices – Used Vehicles
These vehicles offer the highest level of safety and reliability in the used car category, providing new drivers with excellent protection.
| 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” – Still Safe, More Affordable
“Good Choices” represent a more affordable tier of used vehicles that still provide strong safety performance. These vehicles meet similar safety criteria to “Best Choices,” with the primary difference being the absence of standard automatic emergency braking.
- Weight, IIHS & NHTSA Ratings, Reliability, Handling, and Braking: “Good Choices” vehicles meet the same standards for these criteria as “Best Choices.”
Good Choices – Used Vehicles
These vehicles offer a balance of safety and affordability, making them accessible options for families on a tighter budget.
| 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: Top Safety and Modern Features
For those prioritizing the latest safety technology and features, new vehicles offer the highest level of protection. The IIHS and Consumer Reports have also identified recommended new vehicles for teen drivers, focusing on top safety picks and essential safety technologies.
Criteria for Recommended New Cars:
- IIHS Top Safety Pick+ or Top Safety Pick: All listed new vehicles are 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award winners, representing the highest safety ratings available.
- Standard Vehicle-to-Vehicle Automatic Emergency Braking: Like the “Best Choice” used cars, these new vehicles include standard automatic emergency braking to prevent front crashes.
- Reliability: Consumer Reports member surveys indicate average or better reliability.
- Emergency Handling: Average or better scores in CR’s emergency handling tests.
- Braking Performance: Dry braking distances of less than 140 feet from 60 mph in CR’s brake tests.
- Ease of Use: A rating of good or better from CR for the ease of use of vehicle controls, important for new drivers still developing their driving skills.
Recommended New Vehicles
These new vehicles provide the pinnacle of safety and reliability, along with modern features that can assist new drivers.
| 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 |
Key Safety Features for New Drivers
While the lists above provide excellent starting points, understanding key safety features is also important when choosing a New Driver Best Car. Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), highlighted in these recommendations, is a critical technology. AEB systems can detect potential front-end collisions and automatically apply the brakes, preventing crashes or reducing their severity.
Beyond AEB, consider vehicles with:
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC): ESC helps drivers maintain control during emergency maneuvers, preventing skids and loss of control.
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW): FCW systems alert the driver to potential frontal collisions, giving them time to react.
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA): These systems help prevent unintentional lane departures, especially useful for new drivers who may be prone to distractions.
- Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM): BSM alerts drivers to vehicles in their blind spots, crucial for safe lane changes.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA): RCTA warns drivers of approaching vehicles when backing up, particularly helpful in busy parking lots.
Don’t Forget to Check for Recalls!
Regardless of whether you choose a used or new vehicle, it is imperative to check for any outstanding recalls before finalizing the purchase. Recalls are issued by manufacturers to address safety defects and are repaired free of charge.
Use the vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate to easily check for outstanding recalls. This simple step can ensure the vehicle is safe and up-to-date on all necessary repairs. After purchasing a used vehicle, notify the manufacturer of your purchase to receive future recall notices directly. NHTSA also recommends checking their database for new recalls every six months to stay informed.
Conclusion: Prioritizing Safety for New Drivers
Choosing a “new driver best car” is a decision that prioritizes safety above all else. By considering the recommendations from IIHS and Consumer Reports, parents and new drivers can make informed choices that minimize risk and maximize protection on the road. Whether opting for a reliable used model from the “Best Choices” or “Good Choices” lists, or selecting a new vehicle with the latest safety technology, the goal is to equip new drivers with a vehicle that supports their safety journey. Remember to check for recalls and stay informed about vehicle safety to ensure peace of mind as your new driver gains experience and confidence.
