13 Cars That Are Safest for Teens but Often Overlooked

Written by Benjamin Stewart

When teens earn their learner’s permits, many parents face the nerve-wracking task of choosing the right vehicle for their young driver. While teens may prioritize style or convenience, parents tend to focus on safety, reliability, and affordability—especially if their teen is helping cover the cost. To ease the decision, here are 13 of the safest and most practical cars for teen drivers that might fly under your radar.

Toyota Prius

A new or pre-owned Prius is a great choice for teen drivers. Toyota equips the Prius with many advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more, earning it high safety ratings, including IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for certain years. The Prius hybrid achieves up to 59 mpg, letting your teen or you save money for school. Parents can also encourage safe driving habits through programs like Toyota’s TeenDrive365.

Honda Civic

The Civic’s appeal for teens includes excellent fuel efficiency, achieving up to 47 mpg on the highway, and the option of a hatchback model for added cargo space. Honda has priced the Civic competitively, with a starting MSRP of $24,250, while equipping it with standard safety features like Traffic Sign Recognition, which alerts drivers to road signs and displays warnings through the infotainment system.

Toyota Corolla

Toyota has long been known for making reliable vehicles, so there won’t be any need to worry about early maintenance costs. The Corolla also comes with safety features like blind-spot monitoring, which can be invaluable for young drivers. With impressive fuel efficiency of up to 41 mpg on the highway and a budget-friendly starting MSRP of $22,175, the Corolla is an excellent choice for teen drivers and parents looking to save.

KIA Seltos

The Seltos is a compact SUV that suits young drivers who need some more space for sports gear or friends. Coming in at $24,590, the price tag is a little higher than previous sedans – but it could be well worth it. The standard safety suite is impressive, including features like emergency braking, lane centering, and driver attention warning, all provided as standard.

Subaru Crosstrek

With a reasonable starting MSRP of $25,195, the Subaru Crosstrek is an excellent choice for teen drivers, coming from a brand renowned for safety. The Crosstrek includes standard safety features like adaptive cruise control and automatic front braking, which provide valuable assistance for young drivers. Subaru’s strong crash test ratings have earned the Crosstrek an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation. Additionally, the standard all-wheel drive makes it a great option for those in snowy climates or who need off-road capability.

Hyundai Kona

Hyundai’s compact SUV, the Kona, offers exceptional value with a starting MSRP of $24,350. Standard safety features like rear cross-traffic alert make it a safer choice for young drivers, and its compact size ensures easy parking in tight spots, such as on a college campus. Teens will also appreciate the 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, providing seamless access to navigation, music, and hands-free calling.

Nissan Kicks

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Nissan brought the compact SUV, Kicks, to the 21st century with a total redesign that looks both rugged and sporty. They also made all-wheel drive available, which is great for getting to school, work, or a friend’s house on treacherous roads. With Safety Shield 360, the Kicks has safety features that will give you peace of mind that the vehicle can help prevent an accident.

Mazda 3

Whether new or used, the Mazda 3 offers a great combination of compact size for easy parking, safety features, and overall reliability that makes it an excellent choice for teen drivers. The car is also fun to drive, offering impressive handling. Drivers will appreciate that Mazda recently added a touchscreen to their vehicles, providing a more user-friendly experience.

Toyota Tacoma

Some teens either enjoy driving a truck or need one for hauling purposes. The Toyota Tacoma offers a great combination of capability and value, starting at $31,500 for a new model. If your teen requires a 4-wheel drive, consider opting for a used Tacoma to get a better price while still benefiting from its ruggedness and reliability.

Jeep Renegade

Does your teen enjoy off-roading and exploring? The Jeep Renegade is a great option, though it is no longer available new. While it may not have an extensive array of safety features, it does come with a backup camera, rear park assist, and a robust four-wheel drive system that will help keep your teen from getting stuck during their adventures.

Buick Encore

While Buick is often associated with older drivers, the Encore offers a sleek design that appeals to younger drivers as well. This compact SUV features Teen Driver Mode, which allows parents to set limits on speed, audio volume, and even receive a report card on their teen’s driving habits. Teens will appreciate the standard safety features and the Encore’s small size, making it easy to park and navigate tight spaces.

Toyota Camry

The Corolla’s bigger brother is also an excellent teen vehicle. The starting MSRP is a little higher at $28,400, but it’ll serve your teen well into their 20s and probably beyond. Parents will like the Camry for its safety features, like the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, which is perfect for high school and college campuses, and ten standard airbags.

Any Used Volvos

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Volvo has earned its reputation as one of the safest vehicle brands on the market, thanks to their use of high-strength steel in frames and continuous innovation in car safety technology. While new Volvos can be expensive, buying used is often a more budget-friendly option for many parents and teens, allowing them to benefit from Volvo’s renowned safety features without the high price tag.

Teen Drivers Need Safety and Reliability As They Gain Experience

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While you can trust a teen driver to make good decisions, there are situations beyond their control that may arise. Many of the vehicles listed offer excellent safety features and impressive crash test ratings to provide peace of mind in the event of an accident. Reliability is also key, ensuring that both teens and parents don’t end up spending unnecessary money on a car that requires constant repairs. Take the time to test drive one and stay safe out there.