Best New Cars for Teens
Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site.
Choosing a car for a teen driver means making tough financial decisions at a time when all sorts of adult expenses loom on the horizon.
The temptation—and often necessity—is to buy a cheap, bare-bones model, or to pass down a family car. Because the car will be transporting your precious cargo, you should carefully consider your choices to pick the best one your budget will allow.
The reality is that motor-vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 14- to 18-year-olds. In fact, almost half of teens involved in a crash die, according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Start by selecting a car with a solid reliability track record and excellent safety marks. We suggest going further to pick a model that's well-suited for inexperienced drivers.
Generally speaking, bigger and heavier vehicles perform better in crash tests. But very large vehicles can have unwieldy handling, offer poor fuel economy, and allow for lots of passengers, which can be a potentially dangerous distraction that has been shown to increase a young driver’s risk of crashing. That's why you won't find minivans, large SUVs, or pickup trucks on this list.
Sports cars are also a poor choice for young drivers. They beg to be driven too fast and have a higher rate of accidents than other cars. Consequently, they often carry high insurance premiums for young drivers (or their parents).
New models generally offer more safety features and provide better crash protection. Try to buy the best safety your budget can afford, because no one needs those safety advantages more than a teenage driver. Specifically, features such as forward-collision warning (FCW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) have been shown to have real-world safety benefits in avoiding crashes.
Make and Model | Price Range |
$16,975 – $25,395 | |
Chevrolet Equinox (4 cyl.) | $23,100 - $31,790 |
Chevrolet Malibu (nonturbo) | $21,680 – $30,975 |
$15,145 - $21,215 | |
$28,950 – $40,900 | |
$23,750 – $31,000 | |
Ford Fusion (4 cyl.) | $22,610 - $41,120 |
Honda Accord (4 cyl.) | $22,455 – $34,930 |
$24,045 – $33,795 | |
$16,090 – $21,365 | |
$19,465 – $26,240 | |
$17,150 – $22,750 | |
$25,350 - $38,250 | |
Hyundai Sonata (nonturbo) | $21,600 - $38,600 |
$22,700 - $31,175 | |
$16,600 – $21,300 | |
Kia Optima (nonturbo) | $22,200 – $36,090 |
$16,100 – $35,950 | |
Kia Sportage (nonturbo) | $23,200 – $34,200 |
$17,845 - $24,945 | |
$21,945 - $30,695 | |
$19,960 - $26,240 | |
$24,045 – $30,695 | |
$21,695 – $25,195 | |
$22,595 – $34,295 | |
$18,395 – $24,595 | |
Subaru Legacy (4 cyl.) | $21,995 - $31,640 |
Subaru Outback (4 cyl.) | $25,645 - $38,195 |
Toyota Camry (4 cyl.) | $23,070 - $31,370 |
$18,500 - $22,680 | |
$18,750 - $19,490 | |
$23,475 – $30,015 | |
$26,675 - $30,935 | |
$24,410 – $36,150 | |
$15,950 - $17,050 | |
$24,995 - $36,475 | |
$33,950 – $60,000 |
More from Consumer Reports:
Top pick tires for 2016
Best used cars for $25,000 and less
7 best mattresses for couples
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2017, Consumer Reports, Inc.
