Check out our top ten vehicles for teenage drivers based on price, safety, and fuel economy.
It’s happening, your teenager is getting a driver’s license. And you’re in search of the perfect car that will safely transport them to and from school, work, extracurricular activities, and social events. Since there are countless types of vehicles on the market — big cars, small cars, sports cars, midsize SUVs, cars with 4WD, AWD, and the list goes on — you might be overwhelmed and unsure of how to choose the right option and the right model year.
We’ve done the heavy lifting for you and compiled a list of the best cars for teens. Whether you prefer a budget-friendly used vehicle or want top-of-the-line safety features of a new model, our rankings of the best cars for teens is sure to help.
Factors To Consider
While shopping for your teenager’s first car, there are some important factors to consider:
- Price: Used cars often have the advantage when it comes to affordability. However, deciding to pay more for a new car with a high safety rating and advanced features could be worth the extra peace of mind. Still, you don’t want a vehicle that will break the bank.
- Safety Features: Due to their minimal experience behind the wheel, young drivers are more likely to get into accidents than older drivers. That’s why it’s important to look for reliable cars that are well-equipped with safety features like a comprehensive airbag system, backup camera, automatic emergency braking blind-spot detection, traction and stability control, forward collision warning, and rear-cross traffic alert.
- Fuel Economy: Even when gas prices are low, the cost of fuel can add up quickly. Ideally, you’d find a vehicle that’s efficient on city and highway roads, especially if your teen will be driving often and you want them to save money at the pump.
Buying a New vs. Used Car for Teen Drivers
One of the greatest dilemmas you’ll likely face when you shop for a vehicle for your teen is whether to buy new or used. On the one hand, a new vehicle with the latest safety and tech features, a plethora of customization options, and comprehensive warranty coverage seems like the way to go.
On the other hand, however, you’d rather save some money and buy a used model with a slower depreciation rate and lower car insurance costs, even if it means your teen won’t have the most advanced features and there may be some hidden issues. As long as you consider your budget and priorities and weigh the pros and cons of each option, you’ll find it easier to make a decision.
Buying New
Pros
- More advanced safety and tech features
- Ability to customize the vehicle
- Comprehensive warranty coverage
Cons
- Higher cost
- Fast depreciation
- Expensive to insure
Buying Used
Pros
- Lower cost
- Slower depreciation
- Less expensive to insure
Cons
- Older safety and tech features
- Limited customization options
- Potential for hidden issues
The Best Cars for Teenage Drivers in 2024
We considered a number of automotive factors, such as price, safety features, performance, and fuel economy to compile our top ten picks for the best used cars and new cars for teen drivers.
1. 2018 Honda Civic
- MPG: Up to 28 city / 34 highway
- Average MSRP: $18,940
Why It Stands Out:
- Fuel-efficient
- Choice of coupe or hatchback
- Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety technologies
For a spacious, fuel-efficient sedan for your teen, the 2018 Honda Civic, which is available as a coupe or hatchback, is the way to go. You’ll love its full suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. While the 2018 Civic isn’t necessarily the most stylish or fun to drive car out there, it’s safe and reliable.
2. 2011 Toyota Camry
- MPG: Up to 22 city / 32 highway
- Average MSRP: $10,000
Why It Stands Out:
- Spacious interior
- Quiet ride
- Generous lineup of standard safety features
The 2011 Toyota Camry is a comfortable midsize car with a base 169-horsepower four-cylinder engine and roomy interior. While standard features include a six-speaker audio system with auxiliary ports, some models take it up a notch with an eight-speaker audio system, navigation, and Bluetooth connectivity. Safety systems on this used car like a pre-collision warning system, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning with driver assistance are also included with every 2011 Camry.
3. 2018 Kia Soul
- MPG: Up to 26 city / 31 highway
- Average MSRP: $17,000
Why It Stands Out:
- Stylish exterior
- Generous cargo space
- Many standard and optional features
If you’re looking for a stylish, practical alternative to an SUV, the 2018 Kia Soul should be on your radar. This small SUV comes in a unique cube shape that provides plenty of cabin and cargo space for your teen’s friends and gear. While many features come standard, there is no shortage of add-on features that can take it to the next level. The Soul’s impressive crash test score rating is an added bonus.
4. 2016 Mazda CX-5
- MPG: Up to 26 city / 34 highway
- Average MSRP: $20,279
Why It Stands Out:
- Top Safety Pick + award from the IIHS
- Sporty look and feel
- Spacious interior
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 is a sporty compact SUV that has plenty of room for your teen and their friends. This crossover earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as well as high ratings of “Good” in all IIHS crash tests. The CX-5 is available with many high-tech comfort and safety features like LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert and lane departure warning.
5. 2013 Honda CR-V
- MPG: Up to 23 city / 30 highway
- Starting MSRP: $23,500
Why It Stands Out:
- Performs well in all weather conditions
- Strong crash test ratings
- Advanced technology comes standard
With the 2013 Honda CR-V, you get a practical, compact SUV that can handle snow, ice, mud, and just about any other weather condition. Pair that with high crash test ratings and tech features like Bluetooth connectivity with music streaming, SMS text-messaging capability, a Pandora Internet radio interface, a multi-angle reversing camera and an Intelligent Multi-Information Display and your teen will have everything they need to safely cruise around in style.
6. 2024 Subaru Forester
- MPG: Up to 26 city / 33 highway
- Starting MSRP: $28,440
Why It Stands Out:
- Top-tier safety features
- Impressive visibility and comfort
- Reputation for reliability
The 2024 Subaru Forester can be a great car for teenage drivers, especially if you’re looking for a compact SUV that offers a blend of safety, practicality, and all-wheel drive capability. While it may be a little larger than some other vehicles on the list, its excellent visibility, solid safety features, and reliable performance make it a good option for young drivers.
7. 2024 Toyota Corolla
- MPG: Up to 30 city / 38 highway
- Starting MSRP: $22,050
Why It Stands Out:
- Top-notch safety features
- Reputation for reliability
- Affordable and fuel-efficient
The Toyota Corolla is a well-rounded, affordable compact car with excellent safety ratings and low cost of ownership. It’s one of the most reliable vehicles on the market and comes with standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes features like pre-collision warning, lane departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. It’s also known for its great gas mileage, making it an excellent choice for a teenager who will be driving frequently and looking to save on fuel costs.
8. 2024 Hyundai Elantra
- MPG: Up to 33 city / 42 highway
- Starting MSRP: $22,740
Why It Stands Out:
- Advanced safety features
- Stylish design and modern technology
- Great value for the price
The Hyundai Elantra is a stylish, affordable sedan that comes with a long list of standard features, including a touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone integration, and a suite of safety technologies like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. These cars are affordable, packed with safety features, and practical for new drivers. They also offer solid reliability and relatively low running costs, which is crucial for young drivers and their families.
9. 2024 Mazda 3
- MPG: Up to 26 city / 34 highway
- Starting MSRP: $25,335
Why It Stands Out:
- Engaging driving experience
- Premium interior
- Strong safety features
The Mazda3 stands out for its fun-to-drive factor, offering a more engaging experience behind the wheel compared to many other compact cars. It also has a premium feel, especially in the interior. The i-Activsense safety package is standard, and it’s a very safe car overall. Finally, the 2024 Mazda3 offers a good balance of fuel efficiency, especially for those who want a more dynamic driving experience while still keeping fuel costs in check.
10. 2024 Nissan Sentra
- MPG: Up to 29 city / 39 highway
- Starting MSRP: $22,030
Why It Stands Out:
- Comprehensive standard safety features
- Fuel efficiency and affordability
- Modern technology and comfort
The 2024 Nissan Sentra is a great all-around car for teenage drivers, combining safety, affordability, fuel efficiency, and modern tech features. It’s easy to drive, low-cost to maintain, and comes equipped with important safety features that can help give both teens and parents peace of mind.
The Best Car For Your Young Driver Is Out There
There are countless vehicles to consider for the new driver in your life. It’s worth noting that even though they’re not mentioned above, for example, both Volvo and Ford are generally seen as reliable brands. Regardless, it’s important to do your own research (Consumer Reports and forums are great places to start) and use our list above to find several that pique your interest. Then, shop around and compare. Once you’ve narrowed it down to two or three options, take your teenager to test drive a few models to choose the right fit.
About The Author
Jeff Hutcheson is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO at The Savings Group and has been working in the auto finance industry for 24 years. After receiving a BS in Finance and MBA from the University of Colorado, he began his career managing automobile loan portfolios and creating portfolio management and liquidity strategies for and with financial institutions around the country.