New list names safest used car options for teen drivers

All parents want their kids to feel safe behind the wheel but sometimes a budget limits options. A new report named the best vehicle option for teen drivers that will increase safety while saving money.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Consumer Reports compiled a list of 58 vehicle models ranging from $5,500 to $19,900. The two organizations say for the first time, all vehicles landed a good or acceptable rating in the IIHS driver-side small overall tests in addition to good ratings in four other IIHS tests and strong marks for braking, handling and reliability from CR.

“Vehicles continue to get safer, and for the first time since the pandemic-era disruptions, prices on the new and used market have stabilized,” said Jennifer Stockburger, director of operations at CR’s Auto Test Center. “These trends have enabled us to point families to even better options this year.”

It’s exciting to see crash avoidance tech like automatic emergency braking filtering through the fleet and into affordable used models, including many priced under $15,000,” said IIHS Research Scientist Rebecca Weast. “With a little knowledge and patience, families can find the right vehicle for their new driver without spending all their savings.”

The full list for used vehicles is as follows:

Used Vehicle Option

Average Price

BEST CHOICES: SMALL CARS

Toyota Corolla sedan (2017 or newer) or hatchback (2019)

$10,600

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

BEST CHOICES: MIDSIZE CARS

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

BEST CHOICES: LARGE CARS

Toyota Avalon (2017 or newer)

$14,400

BEST CHOICES: SMALL SUVS

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

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

$19,000

BEST CHOICES: MIDSIZE SUVS

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

GMC Terrain (2020, 2023)

$16,100

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

BEST CHOICES: MINI VAN

Toyota Sienna (2018-20)

$19,100

GOOD CHOICES: USED SMALL CARS

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 or wagon (2019-20)

$13,200

GOOD CHOICES: MIDSIZE CARS

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

GOOD CHOICES: LARGE CARS

Toyota Avalon (2015-16)

$12,600

GOOD CHOICES: SMALL CARS

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

GOOD CHOICES: MIDSIZE SUVS

Nissan Murano (2016)

$9,900

Toyota Highlander (2014-16)

$11,700

Lexus NX (2015-17)

$12,100

GMC Terrain (2018-19)

$12,700

Acura RDX (2016)

$13,500

Mazda CX-9 (2018)

$14,200

GOOD CHOICES: MINIVANS

Toyota Sienna (2016-17)

$12,600

Honda Odyssey (2017)

$14,400

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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