SouthernWorldwide.com – As teenagers begin their driving journey, ensuring their safety on the road is paramount. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports have collaborated to release their annual list of the safest new and used vehicles suitable for young drivers.
This comprehensive ranking evaluates vehicles based on critical safety aspects. These include crash protection, the effectiveness of their braking systems, headlight performance, and the functionality of their display systems. The evaluation also considers how well the vehicles perform in emergency situations.
“We curate this annual list specifically for teens because driving holds extra risk for them,” stated Rebecca Weast, Senior Research Scientist at the IIHS, in a press release. This highlights the unique vulnerabilities and needs of teen drivers.
The list is divided into several categories, prioritizing affordability and safety features. The first group comprises 29 used vehicles priced under $20,000. These models are equipped with highly-rated headlights and automatic emergency braking systems, crucial for preventing accidents.
A second segment features 45 used cars available for under $10,000. These vehicles are recognized for offering “good crash protection” for teen drivers, as determined by IIHS and CR. The model years for these used vehicles span from 2012 to 2025, offering a range of options for budget-conscious buyers.
For families looking to purchase a brand-new vehicle for their teen, the list also includes approximately two dozen 2026 models. These new vehicles have successfully passed the IIHS’s latest crash tests and have earned safety accolades from both IIHS and Consumer Reports.
The organizations were diligent in their selection process, excluding certain vehicles from their lists. Cars with excessive horsepower relative to their weight were omitted, as were vehicles marketed primarily for performance. Additionally, minicars were excluded due to their insufficient protection in crash scenarios.
Large SUVs and large pickup trucks were also left off the list. The IIHS and CR cited that these larger vehicles can be more challenging for inexperienced drivers to handle and pose a greater risk to other road users.
Top choices starting under $20,000
SMALL CARS
- Mazda 3 (hatchback: 2019-25; sedan: 2020-25): Priced starting at $13,200.
- Subaru Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid (2019-23): Available from $13,600.
MIDSIZE CARS
- Nissan Maxima (2020-23): Can be found starting at $15,200.
- Subaru Legacy (2020-25): Priced from $16,500.
- Nissan Altima (2021-24): Available for around $17,000.
- Toyota Camry (2019-25; including hybrid): Starts at $17,300.
- Kia K5 (2021-24; built after November 2020): Priced from $17,500.
- Subaru Outback (2020-25; built after October 2019): Available for $18,700.
- Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2023-25): Starts at $19,400.
LARGE CAR
- Genesis G80 (2019-20): Priced from $19,700.
SMALL SUVS
- Mazda CX-5 (2018-25; built after March 2018): Available from $13,100.
- Mazda CX-3 (2020-21): Priced at $13,600.
- Mazda CX-30 (2021-25; built after September 2020): Starts at $15,900.
- Subaru Forester (2019-25): Available for $15,900.
- Chevrolet Trailblazer (2021-23): Priced from $16,700.
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 (2022-24): Can be found for $16,700.
- Nissan Rogue (2021-23): Starts at $17,200.
- Subaru Solterra (2023-25): Available for $17,700.
- Audi Q4 e-tron (2022-25): Priced from $18,100.
- Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron (2022-24): Available for $18,100.
- Ford Bronco Sport (2021-25): Starts at $18,100.
- Volkswagen Tiguan (2022-24): Priced from $18,200.
- Kia EV6 (2022-24; built after August 2022): Available for $18,700.
- Hyundai Tucson (2022-25; including hybrid): Starts at $19,100.
MIDSIZE SUVS
- Mazda CX-9 (2020-23; built after December 2019): Priced from $16,200.
- Nissan Murano (2021-25): Available for $18,000.
- Ford Explorer (2020-24): Starts at $18,400.
- Mitsubishi Outlander (2022-25; built after June 2021): Priced from $18,700.
- Acura RDX (2019-25): Available for $19,600.
Good choices starting under $10,000
SMALL CARS
- Mini Countryman (2012-24): Starting price of $4,600.
- Nissan Sentra (2015-25): Available from $4,700.
- Chevrolet Sonic (2015-19; built after February 2015): Priced at $5,300.
- Kia Soul (2015-25): Starts at $5,300.
- Hyundai Elantra (2017-25): Available for $6,100.
- Mazda 3 hatchback or sedan (2014-18; built after October 2013): Priced from $6,900.
- Hyundai Elantra GT (2018-2020): Available for $8,000.
- Subaru Impreza sedan or wagon (2014-25): Starts at $8,000.
- Honda Civic coupe or sedan (2014-25): Priced from $8,100.
- Kia Forte (2019-24): Available for $8,900.
- Subaru Crosstrek (2016-25): Starts at $9,000.
MIDSIZE CARS
- Chevrolet Malibu (2014-25): Priced from $5,800.
- Volvo S60 (2012-25): Available for $6,700.
- Hyundai Sonata (2016-25; built after October 2015; including 2017-25 hybrid): Starts at $6,900.
- Nissan Altima (2016-20): Priced from $6,900.
- Subaru Legacy (2015-19): Available for $7,700.
- Acura TL (2012-14; built after April 2012): Starts at $8,200.
- Honda Accord sedan (2013-25; including 2014-25 hybrid): Priced from $8,300.
- Mazda 6 (2016-18): Available for $8,400.
- Ford Fusion (2017-20): Starts at $9,000.
- Alfa Romeo Giulia (2017-25; built after May 2017): Priced from $9,100.
- Audi A3 (2015-25): Available for $9,100.
- Nissan Maxima (2016-19): Starts at $9,300.
- Lincoln MKZ (2017-20): Priced from $9,500.
- Audi A6 (2016-19; built after January 2015): Available for $9,900.
LARGE CARS
- Volvo S80 (2012-15): Priced from $5,600.
- Acura RLX (2014-20): Available for $9,700.
SMALL SUVS
- Chevrolet Equinox (2014-24): Starts at $5,700.
- Fiat 500X (2016 -18; built after July 2015): Priced from $5,700.
- Nissan Rogue (2014-20): Available for $5,900.
- Hyundai Tucson (2016-21): Starts at $7,100.
- Audi Q3 (2015-25): Priced from $7,200.
- Jeep Compass (2017-22; built after December 2016): Available for $7,600.
- Kia Niro Hybrid (2017-22): Starts at $7,800.
- Mazda CX-5 (2014-17; built after October 2013): Priced from $8,400.
- BMW X1 (2016-25): Available for $8,600.
- Kia Sportage (2017-25): Starts at $8,600.
- Mazda CX-3 (2016-19): Priced from $9,000.
- Nissan Rogue Sport (2017): Available for $9,100.
MIDSIZE SUVS
- Volvo XC90 (2013-24): Starts at $6,000.
- GMC Terrain (2014-20): Priced from $6,400.
- Volvo XC60 (2013-21): Available for $6,400.
- Nissan Murano (2015-20): Starts at $8,100.
- Kia Sorento (2016-18): Priced from $8,200.
- Audi Q5 (2015-25; built after January 2015): Available for $9,800.
New vehicles for teens (2026 models)
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
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- 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.
