Safe vehicles for teens

IIHS-HLDI & Consumer Reports collaboration

For teenagers, the combination of immaturity and inexperience makes driving especially risky. If they’re going to drive, choosing a safe vehicle is key. In addition to safety, reliability and affordability are also top concerns for families.

IIHS and Consumer Reports (CR) have joined forces to make it easier for young drivers or their parents to find a vehicle that checks all those boxes.

Our recommendations include two tiers of used vehicles, Best Choices and slightly more affordable Good Choices. Starting prices for recommended used models range from under $7,000 to $20,000. A separate list of new vehicles for teens offers an even higher level of safety.

Remember to check for recalls!
Use the vehicle identification number or license plate to check for outstanding recalls before buying a used vehicle. To receive future recall notices, notify the manufacturer of your purchase. NHTSA also advises vehicle owners to check its database for new recalls every six months or so.

Best Choices — used

Updated May 23, 2023

All listed vehicles earn good ratings in the IIHS original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength and head restraint tests. If rated by NHTSA, they earn 4 or 5 stars overall. All come with standard electronic stability control and have a curb weight greater than 2,750 pounds. In addition, Best Choice vehicles also have a good or acceptable rating in the IIHS driver-side small overlap crash test, and none of them have substantially higher than average insurance claim rates under injury coverages.

In addition, all recommended vehicles have above-average reliability scores from CR (4 or 5 out of 5) for the majority of model years listed and CR emergency handling scores greater than or equal to 3 out of 5. They also have dry braking distances (going from 60 mph to zero) of 145 feet or less.

Prices, provided by Kelley Blue Book and rounded to the nearest $100, are average U.S. values from May 11, 2023, for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year. The estimates are based on the following criteria: vehicle in good condition, typical mileage and private party purchase.

Some listed models include a “built after” date. This applies when a manufacturer makes changes to improve safety in the middle of a model year. Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured can be found on the certification label typically affixed to the driver door or near it.

Small cars Model years Price
Mazda 3 sedan or hatchback 2014-20; built after October 2013 $9,100
Ford C-Max Hybrid 2014-16 $10,000
Toyota Prius 2014; built after November 2013 $12,900
Subaru Impreza sedan or wagon 2018, 2022 $14,500
Midsize cars Model years Price
Subaru Legacy 2013-21; built after August 2012 $7,800
Mazda 6 2014-18 $10,200
Subaru Outback 2015-18, 2022 $12,200
Toyota Prius v 2015-17 $14,500
Volkswagen Passat 2017 $14,500
BMW 3 series 2017 or newer; built after November 2016 $16,500
Large cars Model years Price
Toyota Avalon 2015 or newer $14,600
Hyundai Genesis 2016 $18,000
Small SUVs Model years Price
Volvo XC60 2013, 2017 $9,600
Mazda CX-5 2014 or newer; built after October 2013 $11,800
Mazda CX-3 2016, 2019 $13,900
Honda CR-V 2015 or newer $15,200
Honda HR-V 2017 or newer; built after March 2017 $16,000
Toyota RAV4 2015 or newer; built after November 2014 $16,100
Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid 2018 $18,900
Subaru Forester 2018 or newer $20,000
Midsize SUVs Model years Price
Nissan Murano 2015 or newer $12,400
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2018 $15,700
Toyota Highlander 2014 or newer $17,100
Acura RDX 2016 or newer $19,300
Minivan Model years Price
Toyota Sienna 2015-20 $15,700
Pickup Model years Price
Toyota Tacoma extended cab or crew cab 2016 or newer $17,900

Good Choices — used

Updated May 23, 2023

All listed vehicles earn good ratings in the IIHS original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength and head restraint tests. If rated by NHTSA, they earn 4 or 5 stars overall. All come with standard electronic stability control and have a curb weight greater than 2,750 pounds.

In addition, all recommended vehicles have above-average reliability scores from CR (4 or 5 out of 5) for the majority of model years listed and CR emergency handling scores greater than or equal to 3 out of 5. They also have dry braking distances (going from 60 mph to zero) of 145 feet or less.

Prices, provided by Kelley Blue Book and rounded to the nearest $100, are average U.S. values from May 11, 2023, for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year. The estimates are based on the following criteria: vehicle in good condition, typical mileage and private party purchase.

Small cars Model years Price
Kia Soul 2013, 2017, 2019, 2021 or newer $6,600
Toyota Corolla sedan 2013 or newer $9,700
Chevrolet Volt 2013 $10,300
Honda Civic sedan 2013-15, 2020 or newer $10,400
Toyota Prius 2013 $11,700
Midsize cars Model years Price
Ford Fusion 2014, 2016 $10,300
Honda Accord coupe or sedan 2013 or newer $10,400
Toyota Camry 2013 or newer $11,400
Toyota Prius v 2013 $12,000
BMW 3 series sedan 2016 $14,000
Audi A4 2015-16 $14,200
Large cars Model years Price
Hyundai Genesis 2013 $10,000
Audi A6 2013-15 $10,800
Toyota Avalon 2013-14 $11,700
Small SUVs Model years Price
Hyundai Tucson 2014 $9,700
Nissan Rogue 2015, 2017, 2021 or newer $11,900
Honda CR-V 2013-14 $12,400
Toyota RAV4 2013-14 $14,100
Midsize SUVs Model years Price
Acura RDX 2013-15 $14,000
Toyota Highlander 2013 $14,500

Recommended new vehicles

Updated May 23, 2023

All listed vehicles are winners of the 2023 IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award and come with standard vehicle-to-vehicle automatic emergency braking.

In addition, all vehicles have average or better reliability, based on CR’s member surveys; average or better scores from CR’s emergency handling tests; and dry braking distances of less than 140 feet from 60 mph in CR’s brake tests. They also receive a rating of good or better from CR for ease of use of their controls.

Vehicles that had substantially higher than average insurance claim rates under medical payment, personal injury protection or bodily injury liability coverage in recent model years are excluded unless they have been redesigned.

Prices, rounded to the nearest $100, reflect Kelley Blue Book New Car Fair Purchase Prices as of May 11, 2023, for the least expensive trim level.

Small car Price
Mazda 3 sedan or hatchback $23,000
Midsize cars Price
Subaru Legacy $25,100
Subaru Outback $29,300
Small SUVs Price
Honda HR-V $24,400
Subaru Forester $27,700
Mazda CX-5 $27,800
Mazda CX-50 $28,900
Toyota RAV4 $29,300
Honda CR-V $29,700
Lexus UX $36,000
Midsize SUVs Price
Subaru Ascent $34,600
Hyundai Palisade $36,600
Toyota Highlander $37,100
Mazda CX-9 $38,300
Lexus NX $39,800
Minivan Price
Honda Odyssey $38,100