So your freshly minted young driver has a license. Now what? If you’re searching for the best cars for teens, we can help. Even if our picks don’t fit your budget, these guidelines can help you find a safe car for your new driver.
If you remember only one thing, make it safety. Teen drivers have far less experience behind the wheel than adults, and their crash risk reflects it. Safety is the primary qualifier for every vehicle on our list.
Use our table of contents below to skip ahead.
- The Numbers
- Choosing the Best Car for New Drivers
- For Teen Drivers, All Cars Aren’t Equal
- Top Recommended Safety Features for Teen Drivers
- How Important Are Crash Test Ratings?
- Best Cars and SUVs for Teens
The Numbers
Teenagers drive less than most other age groups, but their crash rates remain disproportionately high.
According to the latest Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) data, 2,899 teenagers ages 13-19 died in motor vehicle crashes in 2024. Motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death for U.S. teenagers that year.
Inexperience is a major factor. Based on miles driven, the fatal crash rate for drivers ages 16-19 is about three times the rate for drivers 20 and older. Looking at police-reported crashes of all severities, teen drivers crash more than four times as often per mile as drivers 20 and older. Risk is highest for drivers ages 16 and 17.
That makes the vehicle your teen drives especially important.
Jump ahead to our list of cars for teens.
Choosing the Best Car for New Drivers
Safety should come first, but cost matters, too. Research not only the vehicle’s purchase price but also its crash-test results, safety equipment, reliability, repair costs, and insurance rates.
How Much Does It Cost to Add a Teenager to Car Insurance?
Adding a teenager to a family car insurance policy can be expensive. One 2026 analysis puts the average increase for adding a teen to a parent’s full-coverage policy at about $4,500 per year. Costs vary widely by state, insurer, age, gender, vehicle, and coverage.
The vehicle matters, too. A high-performance or expensive model may cost considerably more to insure than a modest sedan or small SUV.
Get an insurance quote for any vehicle you are seriously considering before buying it. That can prevent an unpleasant surprise after you bring the car home.
How Do You Lower Car Insurance Rates for a Teenager?
Ask your insurer about discounts for good students, driver training, telematics programs, or students attending school away from home. Shopping several insurers can also make a significant difference. Consider additional driver training even if it doesn’t qualify you for an insurance discount. Programs such as Ford Driving Skills for Life, American Automobile Association (AAA) teen-driver courses, and Tire Rack’s Street Survival can give young drivers supervised experience beyond basic driver’s education.
For Teen Drivers, All Cars Aren’t Equal
Your teenager’s dream car and the car you want them driving may be two very different vehicles.
IIHS recommends avoiding vehicles that are too small, too old, or too powerful. A teen doesn’t need a new car, but an older vehicle shouldn’t come at the expense of basic crash protection and safety equipment. IIHS recommendations specifically exclude vehicles with excessive power and require recommended used models to meet minimum standards for size, crash protection, handling, and braking.
Newer vehicles generally offer better crash protection and more advanced driver-assistance features. Vehicles made in 2013 and after will come standard with the “Big Three” of safety features: antilock brakes, traction control, and stability control, which the federal government mandates. Rearview cameras became mandatory on virtually all new passenger vehicles in 2018.
Types of Cars to Avoid
Very small cars: Tiny cars can be inexpensive and fuel-efficient, but larger, heavier vehicles generally provide greater occupant protection in a crash. IIHS’ 2026 used-car recommendations require vehicles to weigh more than 2,750 pounds.
Sports cars and high-horsepower vehicles: Extra performance can encourage a novice driver to exceed their abilities and may also increase insurance costs. The IIHS teen recommendations exclude vehicles with excessive horsepower relative to their weight.
Very large trucks and SUVs: Size offers advantages in crash protection, but a large vehicle can be harder for an inexperienced driver to maneuver and park. Aim for a sensible middle ground, such as a compact or midsize car or small SUV.
Top Recommended Safety Features for Teen Drivers
Newer cars provide an expanding array of driver-assistance technology. You may not find every feature on an affordable used car, but prioritize the ones most likely to help prevent or mitigate a crash.
Advanced Safety and Driver-Assist Features
- Automatic emergency braking (AEB) can automatically apply the brakes when the system detects an imminent collision. A federal rule will require AEB, including pedestrian detection, on new passenger cars and light trucks beginning in September 2029.
- Blind-spot monitoring alerts the driver when another vehicle is beside or approaching the car in an adjacent lane.
- Electronic stability control can brake individual wheels to help the driver regain control during a skid.
- Forward collision warning warns when the vehicle is approaching another vehicle too quickly.
- Lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist can alert the driver or help steer the vehicle back toward its lane.
- Antilock brakes help prevent wheel lockup during hard braking so the driver can maintain steering control.
For newer vehicles, pedestrian-detecting automatic emergency braking deserves particular attention. IIHS now factors pedestrian crash prevention into its 2026 Top Safety Pick awards, and its highest Top Safety Pick+ award also requires acceptable or good performance in its updated vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention evaluation.
Other Features to Consider
- 360-degree cameras
- Adaptive cruise control
- Airbags, at least six
- Auto on/off headlights
- Automatic climate control
- Automatic high beams
- Autonomous driving
- Head-up display
- Hill-start assist
- Infotainment system with voice recognition
- LED headlights and taillights
- Outboard mirrors with turn-signal indicators
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel
- Tire pressure monitoring system
In addition, several carmakers, including Lexus, Volkswagen, Chevrolet, Toyota, Kia, Ford, and Hyundai, offer some type of programmable driving monitor to help keep track of and set limits for your teen driver.
For example, Ford has MyKey, and Chevy uses General Motors’ Teen Driver technology to help parents monitor their teens’ driving habits. They can even set certain limitations, like maximum speed, into the system.
Teen drivers can also activate the do-not-disturb feature on their phones to avoid distracted driving.
How Important Are Crash-Test Ratings?
Very. We use crash-test results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the federal government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration when evaluating vehicles. The two organizations use different testing systems, so checking both provides a more complete picture.
Understanding Safety Ratings
NHTSA uses a 5-star system, with five stars representing the highest rating. Its New Car Assessment Program evaluates vehicles in:
- Frontal crashes
- Side crashes
- Rollover resistance
Check the specific model year you’re considering, because safety equipment and test results can change from one year to the next.
The Best Cars and SUVs for Teens
For most families, a used vehicle offers the best balance of price and safety. Newer vehicles typically offer more advanced safety features, but you don’t necessarily need to buy new. In fact, while we expect the 2027 models of the new cars on this list to have the same impressive safety scores as the 2026 models that were tested, buying the 2026 model means you may save some money while still benefiting from the latest safety features and tech.
IIHS publishes recommendations for safer vehicles for teen drivers, including used models across a range of prices. Its criteria consider crash protection, vehicle size, handling, braking, and other safety factors.
We based the pricing for our used car picks on the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price range. Where a model offers both sedan and hatchback body styles, we used sedan pricing.
Crash-test standards evolve, so an older vehicle’s safety award should be viewed in the context of the standards in effect at the time it was tested. Also, verify the equipment on the individual vehicle. Safety features that were optional when a car was new may appear only on certain trim levels or option packages.
Use Kelley Blue Book’s Expert Reviews to research specific model years and trims, and review the IIHS Safe Vehicles for Teens recommendations for another useful reference.
Car Shopping for Your Teen in Today’s Market
Used-car prices remain elevated, and affordable vehicles can be especially difficult to find. That makes it even more important to prioritize safety, reliability, condition, and insurance costs over less essential wants.
That makes priorities important. Put crash protection, reliability, condition, and the right safety equipment ahead of color, wheels, appearance packages, or other wants.
Be patient, but be prepared to act when you find a safe, well-maintained vehicle that fits your budget.
MORE: Is Now the Time to Buy, Sell, or Trade-in a Car?
Best New Cars for Teens Under $30,000
2026 Honda HR-V
Starting Price: $27,950
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.5
Riding on the same platform as the Civic, the Honda HR-V bears the coveted IIHS TSP+ award. Roomy, refined, and dependable, the Honda HR-V delivers the brand’s most notable attributes. Every HR-V grade comes with the latest Honda Sensing bundle, featuring automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.
A couple of USB-C charging ports, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, high-beam assist, LED headlights, and hill-start assist are all standard. We’d pony up the extra $1,850 for the Sport trim to gain proximity keyless entry, Walk Away Auto Lock, heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The 2027 model year is also a TSP+ winner, based on IIHS’ 2026 criteria.
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2026 Toyota Prius
Starting Price: $29,485
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.8
The Toyota Prius is the car that made “hybrid” a household word. Toyota molded the latest version into the sleek shape of a speedster. Well, it’s not that. However, it still manages an impressive combined fuel economy of up to 57 mpg. Students heading for the Snowbelt can add all-wheel drive (AWD). Its rear-seat legroom is about average for the segment.
We like it so much that we named the redesigned Prius our Best New Model when this newest generation came out. Moreover, the IIHS named the Prius to its Top Safety Pick+ list. Every Prius comes with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and high-beam assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert come standard as well. If the new models are out of your price range, the previous-generation Prius is also an excellent choice.
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2026 Mazda CX-30
Starting Price: $27,870
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.2
Although the Mazda CX-30’s 191 hp may be a bit more than you want at Junior’s beck and call, this subcompact SUV provides a hefty list of advanced technology and the IIHS TSP+ designation. Standard features include all-wheel drive, LED headlights, a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB-C ports.
Advanced safety tech includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and high-beam assist.
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2026 Hyundai Kona
Starting Price: $27,100
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.8
The 2026 Hyundai Kona is a subcompact SUV with eye-catching exterior styling that offers tremendous value. We named it our Subcompact SUV Best Buy in 2024 and then gave it the same recognition for 2025 and 2026. Its small size makes parking easy, a big plus for teens. The rear cargo area is big considering the Kona’s small footprint, well-suited to carrying gear. The base engine offers fuel economy as good as 35 mpg on the highway.
The IIHS named the Kona to the TSP+ list. There is plenty of value here, as even the base SE model comes standard with blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-following assist, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic collision warning. A 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included.
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2026 Mazda3
Starting Price: $25,965
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.1
Built on the same platform as the CX-30, the 2026 Mazda3 offers the same impressive combination of standard safety systems, and decent fuel economy. As an added bonus for a teen driver, the Mazda3 also offers a healthy dose of fun. The Mazda3, an IIHS TSP+ award winner, comes standard with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and high-beam assist. Additional standard features include LED headlights, a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB-C ports.
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2026 Honda Civic
Starting Price: $25,990
IIHS Rating: TSP
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.7
The Honda Civic made our list of picks for several reasons, including the fact that 2026 is the fifth year in a row we’ve named it our Compact Car Best Buy. The IIHS named the sedan and hatchback Top Safety Picks, and the Civic earned a 5-Star overall safety rating from NHTSA. It also gets a government-estimated 36 mpg in combined driving.
Every 2026 Civic arrives with the Honda Sensing suite of driver aids, including forward collision warning, auto emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Connectivity technology includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, one USB port, and Bluetooth. Honda typically doesn’t offer option packages. To gain more content, you must move up in trim level. Look to the hatchback model ($29,190) for more cargo space.
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2026 Kia K4
Starting Price: $23,535
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.5
Introduced just last year, the Kia K4 compact sedan and is stylish, affordable, and brimming with technology. We think your teen will be drawn to its slick exterior and enthused by its standard tech, which includes a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, multiple USB-C ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and proximity keyless entry.
Also standard are LED headlights and Kia’s Drive Wise suite of advanced safety technologies. Among them are adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, high-beam assist, and forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection. We’d spend another $1,100 for the EX trim, adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a 60/40-split, folding rear seat, and safe-exit warning. This year marked the debut of a versatile hatchback model.
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2026 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
Starting Price: $26,945
IIHS Rating: TSP
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.6
The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is a compact sedan that’s very affordable, highly fuel-efficient, and comes standard with a full suite of safety features. It’s also a TSP award winner. In other words, this is a terrific car for teens. The most affordable Blue trim nets the best fuel economy: 54 mpg combined (51 mpg city/58 mpg highway). That works out to 594 miles of range in mixed driving. It’s well-equipped too, and you don’t need to spring for the top-of-the-line trim to get a wide range of convenience and tech features. The Elantra Hybrid comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, dual-zone climate control, and much more. Standard safety features include forward collision assist with pedestrian detection, blind spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, and safe exit warning.
Tip: If the price of the Hybrid is out of reach, the gas-only Elantra, also an IIHS TSP award winner, starts at $24,120.
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2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
Starting Price: $26,930
IIHS Rating: TSP (2025 criteria)
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.5
The Toyota Corolla Cross is an IIHS Top Safety Pick (2025 criteria) built on the same platform as the Corolla. It also boasts low cost-to-own figures and historically good reliability. The Corolla Cross’s starting price reflects the entry-level L model. It offers standard equipment like automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, and a rear-seat center armrest.
Every 2026 Corolla Cross comes with Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0. This advanced driver assistance technology suite includes pre-collision with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, and automatic high beams.
Connectivity features include Bluetooth, voice recognition, two USB ports (there are four in LE and higher trims), and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) government-certified combined fuel economy is 35 mpg.
Tip: If you don’t want the added cargo space of the Corolla Cross, the Corolla sedan is also a great choice. It didn’t win an IIHS award, but scored very well in all but the newest test, the moderate overlap front crash test. It is a very safe car (it was a TSP in 2025), just as well-equipped as the Corolla Cross, and starts at $24,420. The Corolla Hybrid, the lowest-priced hybrid in America, starts at $26,270 and is another excellent option in this price range.
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2026 Subaru Crosstrek
Starting Price: $28,445
IIHS Rating: N/A (TSP 2024)
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.6
This is one of two cars we are recommending for teen drivers that were not IIHS award winners for 2026. The Subaru Crosstrek is a well-rounded subcompact SUV that comes standard with all-wheel drive, plus the EyeSight suite of safety features, has a generous cargo area for this vehicle’s size, and has 8.7 inches of ground clearance, which could come in handy in inclement weather. It is also known for excellent resale value.
EyeSight includes automatic emergency braking and steering, adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and automatic high beams. The Crosstrek got a Marginal score in one of the IIHS’ tests they do on every vehicle, and a Good — the highest possible score — on the rest. That makes this vehicle worth considering, even though it didn’t win an award.
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Used Cars for Teens Under $20,000
2017 Toyota RAV4
Earning the IIHS accolade of Top Safety Pick+, the Toyota RAV4 offers a range of advanced safety technology. Every trim level comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) suite of advanced safety features, which includes lane departure warning with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. The SE model and higher will get you the most safety features. That will also get you LED headlights, fog lights, and rear cross-traffic alert. You can also look for 2018 and hybrid models within this price range.
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2020 Mazda CX-5
If you choose the 2020 Mazda CX-5, it comes loaded with advanced safety and driver-assist features. And as of this story’s publish date, every trim but the Signature falls within a $20,000 budget. All of the advanced driving aids Mazda offered that year come standard on the base Sport model. The CX-5 comes with LED headlights, automatic high beams, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, smart brake support with collision warning, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. You have to get the Touring model, one step up from the Sport, to get dual-zone automatic climate control. The CX-5 aced all the crash tests. It also offers excellent reliability.
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2018 Honda CR-V
The 2018 Honda CR-V is very young-driver-friendly. The CR-V entered an all-new generation the year before, the first model year that benefits from Honda’s complete redesign of the CR-V, which made it larger, with more amenities and safety features. The EX model has our recommended driver assists and advanced safety features, but many of them come standard with the base LX trim. The EX also has fog lights, dual-zone automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams.
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2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
We recommend both the Toyota Corolla Hybrid and the Toyota Corolla compact sedans, as they both come with loads of standard equipment and are known for reliability and excellent resale value. Both are IIHS Top Safety Picks and earned NHTSA’s 5-Star rating. What puts the Hybrid ahead is the added value of its excellent fuel economy. It delivers 52 mpg combined (53 mpg city/52 mpg highway), providing up to 593 miles of range. The Hybrid also comes standard with more convenience features than the Corolla.
Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.0 comes standard on the Hybrid, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, and more. Other standard worthwhile features for the young driver are hill-start assist and heated mirrors with integrated turn signals.
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2019 Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester started a new generation with the 2019 model. This compact SUV’s interior packaging is so well done that it is essentially small on the outside and huge inside. It comes standard with all-wheel drive and the EyeSight suite of safety features, but you’ll have to look for a Limited trim (which is still in this price range) to get blind-spot detection. Fuel economy is as good as 33 mpg, and the Forester earned a TSP+ award in 2019.
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2021 Mazda3
Pound for pound and dollar for dollar, it’s tough to beat the Mazda3 in its segment. It achieves a government-estimated 36 mpg on the highway and earns excellent scores in every crash test from the IIHS and NHTSA. It comes standard with the i-ActivSense advanced safety suite, with adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention alert, and automatic high beams. Move up to the Select to get outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals and dual-zone automatic climate control.
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2019 Honda Accord
Next on our list is the 2019 Honda Accord, a midsize sedan that is comfortable yet sporty, and known for excellent reliability and resale value. The IIHS rated the Accord as a Top Safety Pick, and NHTSA gave it a 5-Star rating. Every trim level provides the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features. So even the base LX comes with adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. All but the Touring trim of the 2019 Accord is under the $20,000 threshold.
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2020 Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is a purpose-built hybrid known for its reliability and safety. In 2020, the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite of driver assists and advanced safety features came standard. This bundle included adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, and pre-collision with pedestrian detection. Blind-spot monitoring is standard on every trim except the base L. Other key features are bi-LED headlights, automatic high beams, and automatic climate control. The government-estimated fuel economy is as good as an impressive 58 mpg city, 53 mpg highway, and 56 mpg combined.
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2020 Subaru Crosstrek
With standard all-wheel drive, the EyeSight suite of safety features, and a TSP award under its belt, the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek prioritizes safety. It also prioritizes value, as features like automatic climate control and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. Well, there’s one caveat: When you shop for a 2020 Crosstrek, a manual transmission came standard. We recommend looking for a Crosstrek with the CVT automatic for teens. It was an option on the base model, and standard with all other trims. You have to have the automatic to get EyeSight.
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2020 Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a spacious, fuel-efficient sedan that offers plenty of tech and safety features. The good news is that no matter the trim level, the 2020 Civic, an IIHS Top Safety Pick, comes standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced safety features. It includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Honda offered the 2020 Civic as a coupe and hatchback, in addition to the sedan priced here. If you choose the EX sedan, the LaneWatch blind-spot camera system will be added. If you want to stay under the $20,000 threshold, everything but the Si and the Sport Touring Hatchback are within budget.
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2021 Chevrolet Equinox
With the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox, the Chevy Safety Assist safety suite is standard. It includes forward collision warning with emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Teen Driver technology is also standard. The Equinox was an IIHS TSP winner for 2021. This SUV also boasts a large, comfortable interior with plenty of room for people and their gear.
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Best Used Cars for Teens Under $15,000
2016 Honda CR-V
A perennial favorite among compact SUVs, the Honda CR-V is one of the models that started the segment. The CR-V has sharp styling, comfortable seating for five people, cargo space, and good fuel efficiency (estimated fuel economy for mixed city-and-highway driving was 29 mpg). The 2016 CR-V is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ as is the 2015 model that’s also within this price range. You should seek out the Touring grade to score all the available advanced safety tech.
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2017 Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is a compact SUV that comes standard with all-wheel drive and offers decent fuel economy. It is known for excellent reliability and resale value. The Forester’s excellent ground clearance can be helpful in winter weather, or any time of year a nasty storm hits. Tip: The EyeSight suite of safety features was not standard, wasn’t available on the base model, and didn’t come standard with any trim level. Look for any trim level above the base 2.5i and make sure the listing says it has EyeSight. The Forester earned a TSP+ award in 2017.
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2017 Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla has been a mainstay in the compact segment for decades. This sedan is known for outstanding durability and reliability and is a Top Safety Pick+. It also comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense-P, a full suite of advanced safety features. You should also be able to find 2018 models within this budget.
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2015 Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a frequent winner of KBB’s Best Buy Award in the Midsize Sedan category. This Top Safety Pick+ offers good handling and plenty of room for people and their belongings. Shop for an EX-L or Touring to get forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and the Honda LaneWatch blind-spot display. Honda redesigned the Accord for 2013. You should be able to score our recommended trim levels of the 2015 Accord and still stay under the $15,000 limit.
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2016 Subaru Crosstrek
The 2016 Subaru Crosstrek is a subcompact SUV that offers a lot of practical features at a reasonable price. However, if safety is the number one focus, we suggest looking for the 2.0i Premium trim or higher. With this trim, you’ll get the CVT automatic instead of the standard manual, and that automatic unlocks the option of the EyeSight suite of safety features. All 2016 Crosstreks come standard with all-wheel drive. This model was a TSP+ winner.
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2016 Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is a 5-door hatchback that pairs a gasoline engine with an electric motor. Excellent fuel economy and plenty of cargo space are along for the ride. It entered an all-new generation for 2016, with a larger interior, new tech, and it was even more efficient than the Prius it replaced. While many of this hybrid’s safety features come standard, if you find a Prius that has the Advanced Technology Package, you’ll get adaptive cruise control. This Prius is a TSP+ winner.
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2017 Mazda CX-5
If you want a sporty compact SUV that can accommodate four friends and their gear, the Mazda CX-5, which was all-new for 2017, may be the perfect fit. The CX-5 rides and handles like a car. It also offers excellent fuel economy and plenty of advanced safety features, and it is a TSP+ vehicle. If you find a Touring, you will benefit from a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera.
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2018 Kia Sportage
The 2018 Kia Sportage compact SUV scored well in crash tests and has impressive reliability. The EX trim with the Technology Package provides our recommended safety features. It also features automatic high beams, fog lights, and a windshield wiper de-icer. And while it probably won’t save your teen’s life, the navigation system might help them get where they are going.
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2016 Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is available in a variety of body styles with a choice of engines and transmissions. Better yet, Civic models are known for safety, comfort, and fuel efficiency. The Civic is a Top Safety Pick that comes standard with ABS, a rearview camera, stability control, brake assist, and more. Honda redesigned the Civic for 2016. The Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety tech was available across the trim lineup. We suggest you find a model with this bundle of features.
2018 Mazda3
We love the styling of the Mazda3 hatchback, which is sleek and sporty. It matches the car’s handling well. Mazda also offers a more traditional 4-door sedan for those not sold on the hatchback’s utility. This Top Safety Pick comes standard with a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert. Still, upgrading to the Grand Touring with the premium equipment package adds lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.
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2019 Kia Soul
The Kia Soul has a cool mix of bold style, value, and practicality, making this 5-door appealing for people of all ages. The 2019 Soul was chosen as a Top Safety Pick+. While the Soul comes standard with a lot of safety, we recommend shopping for a + (Plus) or ! (Exclaim) that includes the optional blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and rear cross-traffic alert systems. Most 2020 Soul trim levels fall under the $15,000 average price limit.
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Best Used Cars for Teens Under $10,000
2013 Toyota Camry
One of Toyota’s best-selling models, the roomy and comfortable Toyota Camry boasts excellent quality and reliability. While this is a TSP vehicle with a lot of standard safety, shop for an XLE to add a blind-spot monitor.
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2014 Mazda3
With the Mazda3, you won’t go wrong with either the comfort of a sedan or the flexibility of a hatch. It earned both a TSP+ pick and NHTSA’s 5-Star rating. This Mazda comes standard with six airbags, ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, stability control, traction control, and hill launch assist. The Touring adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, and you may be able to find one with a rearview camera. Look for an S Grand Touring equipped with the Technology Package to add lane departure warning.
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2013 Toyota Corolla
The reliable Toyota Corolla comes standard with a wide range of advanced safety features, including antilock brakes, stability and traction control, and brake assist. Look for this Top Safety Pick in LE or higher trim to get cruise control. The Corolla is comfortable and easy to drive, and you may be surprised by how roomy the rear seats are.
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2009 Toyota RAV4
The comfortable 2009 Toyota RAV4 is available as a 5- or 7-passenger compact SUV, and you can get a frugal 4-cylinder engine or a powerful V6. This generation RAV4 came standard with a rearview camera that uses a monitor in the rearview mirror. It also had traction control and enhanced stability control, and its ABS used electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist. 2010 and 2011 RAV4 average prices are also below $10,000.
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2009 Honda Element
Based on the same platform as the CR-V, the Honda Element pairs an easy-to-reconfigure, weather-resistant interior with unique styling. A Top Safety Pick, the 2009 Element came standard with ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, stability and traction control, and tire-pressure monitoring.
See 2009 Honda Element models for sale near you
2011 Toyota Avalon
The Toyota Avalon is a reliable, posh ride you might expect from the automaker’s Lexus luxury line. It also has a fuel-efficient V6 and plenty of room for shuttling around a small family in style. A Top Safety Pick that earned a 5-Star rating from NHTSA, the Avalon came standard with a wide array of safety features. You should also be able to find 2012 Avalon models priced under the $10,000 ceiling.
See 2011 Toyota Avalon models for sale near you
Editor’s Note: We have updated this article since its initial publication. Russ Heaps contributed to the report.
