Safety is everything when it comes to choosing a car for a brand-new driver. Equip your teenager with a vehicle that offers the latest safety features and has the ratings to back it up.
The 2026 Mazda CX-30 is a prime example of a car that comes with standard protections and top safety scores. With a starting price of $26,615, this Mazda makes our list as one of the best picks for teen drivers.
Advanced Safety Technology
All-wheel drive is standard on every CX-30, optimizing traction and inspiring confidence for driving in any type of weather. Speaking of weather, all CX-30s come with rain-sensing wipers that kick in when moisture is sensed on the windshield and adjust with rain volume. LED headlights are another standard feature for improved visibility during nighttime driving. The CX-30 has an abundance of advanced safety tech available, including:
- Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keeping assist
- High-beam assist
- Adaptive cruise control
Top Marks
The CX-30 received the highest award of Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as well as the maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The scores from these entities combined with standard available safety features are how we determined the cars on this list. Models are scored higher for having more safety features available on all models for no extra charge.
