When it’s time to put your teenager behind the wheel, you want to make sure it’s safe and affordable – that’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best cars for teenagers.
When it comes time to put your teenager behind the wheel of a car, you want to make sure it’s safe and affordable. Very often, the best cars for teenagers are not small cars at all, but crossovers or SUVs.
In this guide, we review the best cars for teenage drivers and show you why they are so highly rated. We also explain what you should look for and answer your most frequently asked questions.
Depending on the teenager’s needs, you might consider the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Hyundai Kona, Kia K5, or Honda Civic. It’s also wise to take a look at the Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Honda HR-V, and Subaru Ascent models.
Let’s see what makes each of them a good candidate for teenage drivers.
1. Toyota Corolla Hybrid
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on fuel, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid is an excellent option. It’s a smaller car, so it’s maneuverable, but it’s also one of the IIHS’s Top Safety Picks and has a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA. Plus, JD Power gives it a score of 81/100, meaning it’s reliable.
Even though it’s an economy sedan, the Corolla Hybrid still includes many high-tech features. Even the base model includes top safety features, such as automatic braking with pedestrian detection.
- MSRP: $22,800
- Fuel Economy: 50/43 mpg
2. Hyundai Kona
On the subcompact SUV side, the Hyundai Kona takes the prize. It offers great reliability combined with good safety scores. It received a Good rating in IIHS crash tests and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. JD Power also gives it a score of 79/100.
The Kona is also affordably priced, but the base model lacks nothing. Most impressive is the standard Bluelink system that allows parents to remotely control where teenagers are driving and their speeds.
- MSRP: $22,140
- Fuel Economy: up to 30/35 mpg
3. Kia K5
If you prefer a car, the K5 is an excellent option from Kia. Not only is it an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, which is the highest possible designation, but it also has a five-star rating from the NHTSA. JD Power further agrees by giving it a score of 82/100.
The K5 continues to be one of the best values for what comes with it. Even the base model includes safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, as well as front and rear automatic braking. Plus, you can use the My Car Zone feature with the infotainment system to monitor your teenager’s driving.
- MSRP: $25,290
- Fuel Economy: 27/37 mpg
4. Hyundai Tucson
Another compact SUV choice is the Hyundai Tucson. The IIHS rates this SUV as a Top Safety Pick+, while the NHTSA gives it a five-star rating. Additionally, JD Power offers a score of 79/100, proving it’s a reliable option.
Among the key safety features, the base model includes automatic braking and lane-keeping assist. We also like the Hyundai Bluelink feature, which gives you access to your teenager’s driving habits.
- MSRP: $26,900
- Fuel Economy: up to 25/32 mpg
5. Honda Civic
The new Civic is a complete package, ideal for any busy teenage driver. It’s not too expensive but offers the features and ratings you’re looking for. The IIHS gives it the Top Safety Pick rating, and it also received a five-star rating from the NHTSA. JD Power also offers a score of 82/100.
Not all models include the top safety features, but you can add them. We recommend looking into blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist, to start.
- MSRP: $23,750
- Fuel Economy: up to 33/42 mpg
6. Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is considered one of the safest models for teenagers, thanks to its IIHS Top Safety Pick rating and its five-star rating from the NHTSA. This SUV also has one of the best JD Power ratings at 84/100.
Even at the base level, Subaru’s EyeSight suite comes standard. This innovative package includes lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane centering.
- MSRP: $26,395
- Fuel Economy: up to 26/33 mpg
7. Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is a stylish multi-segment SUV. It has also earned a spot among the IIHS Top Safety Picks and has five stars from the NHTSA. Additionally, JD Power has a score of 83/100 for the CX-5.
You can save money by choosing the base model while still benefiting from many safety features. This model includes blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams.
- MSRP: $26,500
- Fuel Economy: 22/27 mpg
8. Toyota RAV4
The RAV4 is a popular choice among young drivers because it has a new look and excellent safety ratings. The IIHS rated it as a Top Safety Pick, while the NHTSA gave it a five-star rating. Additionally, JD Power gave the RAV4 a score of 82/100.
All RAV4 models include the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5) package. This innovative suite includes features such as forward collision warning, automatic high beams, and pedestrian detection.
- MSRP: $28,275
- Fuel Economy: 27/35 mpg
9. Honda HR-V
Another excellent Honda option is the cute HR-V. This SUV is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and received a five-star NHTSA rating. The JD Power score drops a bit to 75/100, but not enough to worry us.
With the base model, you also receive the standard Honda Sensing suite. With features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking while moving forward, and lane-keeping assist, you’ll have peace of mind while your teenager is driving.
- MSRP: $23,800
- Fuel Economy: up to 26/32 mpg
10. Subaru Ascent
To round out our list, the Subaru Ascent. This model is also an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and it has a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Additionally, JD Power offers a reliability score of 82/100. Even better, this model comes with standard all-wheel drive, which is perfect if you live on a dirt road or your teenager drives in the snow.
Among the standard driver assistance features, you get forward collision warning and pedestrian detection. This three-row SUV is also equipped with lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control.
- MSRP: $33,895
- Fuel Economy: up to 20/26 mpg
Tips for Buying a Car for Teenagers
How can you find a good car for your teenager without this list? There are several things to consider. Look at the driver assistance features offered, predicted reliability ratings, safety scores, value for money, and fuel economy to find the best overall package.
Driver Assistance Features
Today’s cars have many driver assistance features that provide better protection