Consumer Reports picks the best cars for teen drivers
Teenagers might yearn to drive flashy sports cars or hulking SUVs, but none of these vehicles make the cut for Consumer Reports' list of the best vehicles for young drivers.
That's because Consumer Reports, along with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), screened cars for safety with teen drivers in mind, meaning that any vehicle with excessive horsepower relative to weight was excluded. And large SUVs may seem safe, but they can be difficult to maneuver for inexperienced drivers in an emergency, noted Jennifer Stockburger, director of operations at Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center.
This year's list of the best vehicles for teens includes 58 used models ranging in price from $5,800 to $19,900. Consumer Reports notes that for the first time all the choices have a good or acceptable rating in the IIHS driver-side small overlap test, which rates cars for their performance when a front corner collides with another vehicle or an object like a tree.
The list also includes new 2024 vehicles, with 22 choices all rated as top safety picks by the IIHS and priced under $40,000.
"You really want to get the most reliable vehicle you can get for your money" when getting a car for a teen, Stockburger said.
Consumer Reports evaluated the cars on a range metrics: crash ratings; advanced driving assistance technology such as forward collision warning; reliability; and price.
Only one electric vehicle made the cut — the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6, which retails for $37,700. All new vehicles had to cost less than $40,000 to be included, given that parents typically also have price in mind when picking a car for their teen, Stockburger said.
"That's the first time we've had an EV that made the list," she added. "We expect we'll see more EVs trickle on the list as they age a little bit" and come down in price.
The vehicles in all categories are listed according to price, from lowest to highest.
Best used vehicles
All the cars in the best choice category include standard automatic emergency braking systems that earn an "advanced" or "superior" rating from IIHS in the original vehicle-to-vehicle front-crash prevention test.
Small cars
Toyota Corolla sedan (2017 or newer) or 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
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
Toyota Avalon (2017 or newer): $14,400
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
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
Minivan
Toyota Sienna (2018-20): $19,100
New cars: Recommended 2024 models for teens
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
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
Large car
Toyota Avalon (2015-16): $12,600
Small SUVs
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
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
Minivans
Toyota Sienna (2016-17): $12,600
Honda Odyssey (2017): $14,400
New cars: Recommended 2024 models for teens
Small cars
Subaru Impreza: $23,400
Mazda 3 sedan or hatchback: $24,300
Toyota Prius: $28,300
Toyota Prius Prime: $33,600
Midsize cars
Toyota Camry: $26,900
Honda Accord: $28,200
Subaru Outback: $29,300
Hyundai Ioniq 6 (except dual-motor): $37,700
Small SUVs
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
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
Honda Odyssey: $38,200
Pickup
Hyundai Santa Cruz: $27,500
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