SouthernWorldwide.com – As parents prepare to hand over the car keys to their teenagers, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports have released their annual list of the safest vehicles for young drivers. This year’s recommendations cover both new and used cars, focusing on crash protection, braking systems, headlights, and other crucial safety features.
The joint report highlights 96 vehicles deemed safe for teen drivers, considering their overall performance in emergency situations and crash tests. The organizations aim to provide reliable guidance for parents seeking secure transportation for their new drivers.
“We curate this annual list specifically for teens because driving holds extra risk for them,” stated Rebecca Weast, Senior Research Scientist at IIHS, in a press release. This emphasis underscores the unique vulnerabilities associated with new drivers.
The list is divided into several categories, including vehicles with advanced safety features and those that offer robust crash protection at lower price points. This ensures a range of options suitable for different budgets and needs.
The first group features 29 used vehicles priced under $20,000. These cars are equipped with highly-rated headlights and automatic emergency braking systems, key features for preventing accidents. This category is designed for families looking for reliable, budget-friendly options.
A second grouping consists of 45 used cars available for under $10,000. These vehicles provide “good crash protection” for teen drivers, according to IIHS and CR. The model years for these used cars range from 2012 to 2025, offering a broad selection of reliable options.
For those considering a brand-new vehicle, the list also includes approximately two dozen 2026 models. These new cars have undergone the latest crash tests by IIHS and have earned safety recognition from both IIHS and Consumer Reports, ensuring they meet the highest safety standards.
Vehicles were excluded from the rankings if they were deemed to have excessive horsepower relative to their weight or were marketed primarily for performance. This exclusion aims to steer teens away from vehicles that might encourage risky driving behaviors.
Additionally, the ranking omits minicars, which generally do not offer adequate protection in crashes. Large SUVs and large pickup trucks are also excluded because they can be more challenging to handle for inexperienced drivers and pose a greater risk to others on the road.
Top Choices Starting Under $20,000
This section focuses on used vehicles that balance safety with affordability, offering excellent protection for under $20,000.
SMALL CARS
- Mazda 3 (hatchback: 2019-25; sedan: 2020-25): Priced from $13,200
- Subaru Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid (2019-23): Priced from $13,600
MIDSIZE CARS
- Nissan Maxima (2020-23): Priced from $15,200
- Subaru Legacy (2020-25): Priced from $16,500
- Nissan Altima (2021-24): Priced from $17,000
- Toyota Camry (2019-25; including hybrid models): Priced from $17,300
- Kia K5 (2021-24; built after November 2020): Priced from $17,500
- Subaru Outback (2020-25; built after October 2019): Priced from $18,700
- Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2023-25): Priced from $19,400
LARGE CAR
- Genesis G80 (2019-20): Priced from $19,700
SMALL SUVS
- Mazda CX-5 (2018-25; built after March 2018): Priced from $13,100
- Mazda CX-3 (2020-21): Priced from $13,600
- Mazda CX-30 (2021-25; built after September 2020): Priced from $15,900
- Subaru Forester (2019-25): Priced from $15,900
- Chevrolet Trailblazer (2021-23): Priced from $16,700
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 (2022-24): Priced from $16,700
- Nissan Rogue (2021-23): Priced from $17,200
- Subaru Solterra (2023-25): Priced from $17,700
- Audi Q4 e-tron (2022-25): Priced from $18,100
- Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron (2022-24): Priced from $18,100
- Ford Bronco Sport (2021-25): Priced from $18,100
- Volkswagen Tiguan (2022-24): Priced from $18,200
- Kia EV6 (2022-24; built after August 2022): Priced from $18,700
- Hyundai Tucson (2022-25; including hybrid models): Priced from $19,100
MIDSIZE SUVS
- Mazda CX-9 (2020-23; built after December 2019): Priced from $16,200
- Nissan Murano (2021-25): Priced from $18,000
- Ford Explorer (2020-24): Priced from $18,400
- Mitsubishi Outlander (2022-25; built after June 2021): Priced from $18,700
- Acura RDX (2019-25): Priced from $19,600
Good Choices Starting Under $10,000
This category focuses on the most budget-friendly options, providing essential safety features for less than $10,000.
SMALL CARS
- Mini Countryman (2012-24): Priced from $4,600
- Nissan Sentra (2015-25): Priced from $4,700
- Chevrolet Sonic (2015-19; built after February 2015): Priced from $5,300
- Kia Soul (2015-25): Priced from $5,300
- Hyundai Elantra (2017-25): Priced from $6,100
- Mazda 3 hatchback or sedan (2014-18; built after October 2013): Priced from $6,900
- Hyundai Elantra GT (2018-2020): Priced from $8,000
- Subaru Impreza sedan or wagon (2014-25): Priced from $8,000
- Honda Civic coupe or sedan (2014-25): Priced from $8,100
- Kia Forte (2019-24): Priced from $8,900
- Subaru Crosstrek (2016-25): Priced from $9,000
MIDSIZE CARS
- Chevrolet Malibu (2014-25): Priced from $5,800
- Volvo S60 (2012-25): Priced from $6,700
- Hyundai Sonata (2016-25; built after October 2015; including 2017-25 hybrid models): Priced from $6,900
- Nissan Altima (2016-20): Priced from $6,900
- Subaru Legacy (2015-19): Priced from $7,700
- Acura TL (2012-14; built after April 2012): Priced from $8,200
- Honda Accord sedan (2013-25; including 2014-25 hybrid models): Priced from $8,300
- Mazda 6 (2016-18): Priced from $8,400
- Ford Fusion (2017-20): Priced from $9,000
- Alfa Romeo Giulia (2017-25; built after May 2017): Priced from $9,100
- Audi A3 (2015-25): Priced from $9,100
- Nissan Maxima (2016-19): Priced from $9,300
- Lincoln MKZ (2017-20): Priced from $9,500
- Audi A6 (2016-19; built after January 2015): Priced from $9,900
LARGE CARS
- Volvo S80 (2012-15): Priced from $5,600
- Acura RLX (2014-20): Priced from $9,700
SMALL SUVS
- Chevrolet Equinox (2014-24): Priced from $5,700
- Fiat 500X (2016-18; built after July 2015): Priced from $5,700
- Nissan Rogue (2014-20): Priced from $5,900
- Hyundai Tucson (2016-21): Priced from $7,100
- Audi Q3 (2015-25): Priced from $7,200
- Jeep Compass (2017-22; built after December 2016): Priced from $7,600
- Kia Niro Hybrid (2017-22): Priced from $7,800
- Mazda CX-5 (2014-17; built after October 2013): Priced from $8,400
- BMW X1 (2016-25): Priced from $8,600
- Kia Sportage (2017-25): Priced from $8,600
- Mazda CX-3 (2016-19): Priced from $9,000
- Nissan Rogue Sport (2017): Priced from $9,100
MIDSIZE SUVS
- Volvo XC90 (2013-24): Priced from $6,000
- GMC Terrain (2014-20): Priced from $6,400
- Volvo XC60 (2013-21): Priced from $6,400
- Nissan Murano (2015-20): Priced from $8,100
- Kia Sorento (2016-18): Priced from $8,200
- Audi Q5 (2015-25; built after January 2015): Priced from $9,800
New Vehicles for Teens (2026 Models)
This section lists new vehicles from the 2026 model year that have met the stringent safety criteria set by IIHS and Consumer Reports.
Read more : Filtered water at specific ages could add months to your lifespan decades later, new study finds
SMALL CARS
- Mazda 3 hatchback or sedan
- Toyota Prius
SMALL SUVS
- Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Hyundai Kona
- Hyundai Tucson (including hybrid)
- Mazda CX-30
- Mazda CX-50 (including hybrid)
MIDSIZE CARS
- Hyundai Sonata
- Toyota Camry
MIDSIZE SUVS
- Ford Explorer
- Honda Passport
- Hyundai Palisade (built after November 2025; including hybrid)
- Hyundai Santa Fe (including hybrid)
- Kia Sorento (built after September 2025; including hybrid)
- Mazda CX-70
- Mazda CX-70 PHEV
- Mazda CX-90
- Nissan Murano
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Subaru Ascent
- Volkswagen Atlas
- Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
