Best New & Used Cars for Teens: The List Every Parent Needs
Updated: Oct 8
Quick Answer: The best cars for teens are midsize sedans and small SUVs with modest power, a curb weight above 2,750 pounds, strong crash-test results, and standard automatic emergency braking. However, used Best Choices include the Kia K5, Subaru Legacy, Outback, and Forester. Meanwhile, budget good choices include the Kia Forte and the Subaru Impreza.
What Makes the Best Cars for Teens Safe
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports publish a joint teen vehicle list every year. Their May 2026 update sets a clear bar for the best cars for teens:
A curb weight above 2,750 pounds
A good IIHS rating in the driver-side small overlap front crash test
Average or better Consumer Reports scores for braking and handling
Controls and displays that aren't overly distracting
Best Choice vehicles, however, go further. They have standard automatic emergency braking with a strong IIHS rating, plus headlights rated good or acceptable. Those two features help a new driver avoid the crash in the first place, which matters more than surviving one.
Size and Power: The Two Rules That Matter Most
Size cuts both ways, though. Tiny cars leave too little metal between your teen and a larger vehicle, which is why IIHS excludes anything under 2,750 pounds. On the other hand, full-size trucks and big SUVs are harder to park, slower to stop, and more likely to roll over.
Power, meanwhile, is simpler. More horsepower tempts new drivers to speed, so the safest picks have modest engines. That's also why, among the best cars for teens, the trim matters as much as the model.
Must-Have Safety Features for a New Teen Driver
The best car for new teen driver has a few features working in the background. Here's what to look for and why.
Feature | Why it matters for a teen | What to know on a used car |
Electronic stability control | Helps prevent skids and loss of control | Required on all U.S. passenger vehicles since the 2012 model year |
Automatic emergency braking | Brakes for the driver if a crash is about to happen | Standard on many 2019 and newer models, so check the exact car |
Good or acceptable headlights | Helps teens see hazards at night | Ratings can vary by trim, even within one model year |
Blind-spot monitoring | Warns during lane changes and merges | Often optional, so confirm it's on the car |
Rearview camera | Helps with backing up and parallel parking | Required on new vehicles built since May 2018 |
Seat belt reminders | Nudges teens to buckle up | IIHS rates these for new vehicles |
In short, a car without stability control can't be one of the best cars for teens. After that, automatic emergency braking gives you the biggest safety upgrade for the money.
Best Used Cars for Teens We Typically Carry
Here's where our list of the best cars for teens gets specific. Each model below appears on the May 2026 IIHS and Consumer Reports list, and each is one we typically carry on our lot. Also, prices come from IIHS, which lists the median retail price for the earliest qualifying model year. Our inventory rotates, so call to confirm what's in stock.
Kia K5: Best Choice Midsize Sedan
IIHS tier: Best Choice
Qualifying years: 2021 to 2024, built after November 2020 ·
IIHS price: $17,500
Engine: 1.6-liter turbo, about 180 hp
EPA: 32 mpg combined (2021 LX)
The K5 is roomy and efficient, and it also comes with modern safety tech. Just skip the K5 GT, which has a much stronger engine than a new driver needs. Then see our used Kia inventory for what's on the lot.
Subaru Legacy: Best Choice Midsize Sedan With AWD
IIHS tier: Best Choice
Qualifying years: 2020 to 2025
IIHS price: $16,500
Engine: 2.5-liter, about 182 hp
Drivetrain: Standard AWD
EPA: 30 mpg combined (2021)
The Legacy pairs a calm, predictable ride with all-wheel drive, which helps on snowy Chicago streets. Avoid the turbocharged XT trim, though, since it adds a lot more power.
Subaru Outback: Best Choice Wagon With Room to Grow
IIHS tier: Best Choice
Qualifying years: 2020 to 2025, built after October 2019
IIHS price: $18,700
Engine: 2.5-liter, about 182 hp
Drivetrain: Standard AWD
EPA: 29 mpg combined (2021)
The Outback carries a teen, friends, and gear, so it also works for a college move. Plus, it sits higher than a sedan. As with the Legacy, the XT turbo trims are the ones to pass on.
Subaru Forester: Best Choice Small SUV
IIHS tier: Best Choice
Qualifying years: 2019 to 2025
IIHS price: $15,900
Engine: 2.5-liter, about 182 hp
Drivetrain: Standard AWD
The Forester is one of the easiest small SUVs to see out of, because it has big windows and an upright shape. That visibility especially helps a new driver in traffic and in tight parking spots.
Subaru Impreza and Crosstrek: Budget Picks With AWD
IIHS tier: Good Choice
Qualifying years: Impreza 2014 to 2025, Crosstrek 2016 to 2025
IIHS price: $8,000 (Impreza), $9,000 (Crosstrek)
Engine: 2.0-liter, about 152 hp (base engine)
EPA: 32 mpg (2021 Impreza sedan), 30 mpg (2021 Crosstrek)
These two are among the best cars for teens on a tight budget, since they're the most affordable way here to get AWD and a solid crash record. So browse our used Subaru inventory to compare them.
Kia Forte and Sportage: Budget Sedan and SUV
IIHS tier: Good Choice
Qualifying years: Forte 2019 to 2024, Sportage 2017 to 2025
IIHS price: $8,900 (Forte), $8,600 (Sportage)
EPA: 33 mpg combined (2021 Forte 2.0)
The Forte is a simple, fuel-efficient first sedan, while the Sportage adds SUV ride height.
Skip the Forte GT, which has a turbocharged engine.
Affordable Cars for Teens: Picks by Budget
Even affordable cars for teens can meet the IIHS bar. Good Choices and Best Choices differ mainly in crash-avoidance tech, so your budget decides which tier you can reach.
Budget | IIHS tier | Models we typically carry |
Under $10,000 | Good Choices | Subaru Impreza, Subaru Crosstrek, Kia Forte, Kia Sportage, 2015 to 2019 Subaru Legacy |
$15,000 to $20,000 | Best Choices | Subaru Forester, Subaru Legacy, Kia K5, Subaru Outback |
Good Choices still pass the same crash tests. However, they may lack standard automatic emergency braking or top-rated headlights. If you can stretch the budget,
that upgrade is worth it.
Best Cars for Teens Bought New in 2026
If you're buying new, the bar is higher. Every new vehicle on the 2026 IIHS and Consumer Reports list is a 2026 Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ winner, earns Consumer Reports' "Best" safety verdict, and has good seat belt reminders. All of them start under $45,000.
The list includes the Mazda 3, Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-30, Mazda CX-50, Honda Passport, Subaru Ascent, and Kia Sorento (built after September 2025), among others. Since we sell used vehicles only, we can't help with a new purchase. Still, the list is a useful benchmark when you compare used options.
New vs. Used: Which Makes More Sense for a Teen?
For most families, the best cars for teens are lightly used ones. A car that's a few years old often has the same safety tech as a new one, but costs much less up front. It can also cost less to insure.
Teens also tend to get into more fender benders as they learn. So a first car that already has a few dings hurts less than a brand-new one. New still makes sense if you want a full factory warranty or the very latest safety features.
Cars to Avoid for Teen Drivers
Some vehicles look great on paper but never belong on a list of the best first cars for teens. Steer clear of these:
Sports cars and performance trims, like the K5 GT or a Subaru XT, because extra power invites speeding
Full-size pickups and large SUVs, which are harder to control and slower to stop
Minicars and very light subcompacts under 2,750 pounds
Anything older than the 2012 model year, which may lack electronic stability control
Quick EVs, since instant acceleration can surprise a new driver
Insurance, Running Costs, and Chicago Realities
Insurance can be one of the biggest costs of a teen's first car. So get a quote on the exact vehicle, using its VIN, before you buy. The best cars for teens to insure usually have modest engines, strong safety records, and reasonable repair costs. Adding a teen to a family policy is also often cheaper than a separate policy, though rates vary by insurer.
Chicago adds its own factors to choosing the best cars for teens. AWD helps teens get moving in snow, but winter tires matter even more for stopping. A smaller car also makes city parallel parking easier for a new driver. Finally, remember that Illinois limits passengers and late-night driving for newly licensed teens. Check the Illinois Secretary of State for the current rules, since they affect how the car will actually get used.
How to Check a Used Car Before Your Teen Drives It
Even the best cars for teens need a close look before you buy. First, check the build date. Some models only qualify for the IIHS list if they were built after a certain month. You'll find the date on the label inside the driver's door.
Next, run the VIN through a recall check, since IIHS recommends it for every used vehicle. Then read the Vehicle History Report for accidents and title problems. Finally, confirm the car has the safety features you're counting on, like automatic emergency braking, because they sometimes vary by trim.
Outlaw Motor Company: Safe First Cars for Chicago Families
Outlaw Motor Company has been a family-owned used car dealership on Cicero Ave since 2004. Every vehicle on our lot passes a 120-point inspection before it's listed, and there are no hidden fees or last-minute add-ons. You're also welcome to have your own mechanic check any car before your teen drives it.
Browse our used cars for sale to compare the best cars for teens in your budget, call (773) 343-2149, or stop by 2035 N. Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60639 with your new driver.
View Inventory and schedule a test drive today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best starter car for a 17-year-old?
The best starter car for a 17-year-old fits how they'll actually drive. For short trips to school or a job, a compact sedan keeps costs low. For winter commutes or sports gear, a small AWD SUV makes more sense. Either way, choose the base engine and standard automatic emergency braking.
What is the coolest safe first car for a new driver?
Many teens like the Subaru Crosstrek or Forester, because they look rugged and come with AWD. Both are on the IIHS teen list, so you don't have to trade safety for style. Just skip any version with a bigger engine or lifted, modified suspension.
Is a hybrid or electric car a good first car?
A hybrid can be a great first car, since it's efficient and usually has modest power. EVs, however, are trickier. Many accelerate very quickly, which can catch a new driver off guard. If you choose an EV, pick a modest model from the IIHS list rather than a performance version.
Can a teenager finance a car on their own?
Usually not. Most lenders won't sign a loan with someone under 18, and many young adults have little or no credit history. So a parent or guardian often co-signs. That helps with approval, but the co-signer is fully responsible for the loan if payments are missed.
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