Key Takeaways
- The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Consumer Reports chose 58 vehicles for the list.
- There are new and used options with prices as low as $5,000.
- Japanese brands dominated the list with Toyota scoring the most number one slots.
If your teenager has just passed their driver’s test, and you’re interested in getting them into a great vehicle, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR) have you covered. The two organizations have joined forces to update their list of the safest new and used models for teens. A total of 58 vehicles were chosen with used prices from $5,800 to $19,900. New models start as low as $23,400. Japanese automakers did especially well with Toyota securing the most number one spots in the various categories.
Toyota
Toyota is a Japanese automaker founded in 1937 that has developed a reputation for reliability across a multitude of segments, from sports cars and family sedans to pickup trucks and off-roaders. Famous models from the brand include the Hilux, Land Cruiser, Camry, Crown, and Corolla, the latter being the world’s best-selling vehicle nameplate, with more than 50 million Corolla-badged vehicles being sold since it was first introduced. Toyota typically competes in the mainstream market, but is also famous for launching Lexus as a luxury sub-brand to take on Mercedes-Benz.
- Founded
-
August 28, 1937
- Founder
-
Kiichiro Toyoda
- Headquarters
-
Aichi, Japan
- Owned By
-
Publicly Traded
- Current CEO
-
Koji Sato
Since the IIHS updated its crash testing this year, the group announced that, for the first time, all the vehicles on its “Safe Vehicles for Teens” list have a good or acceptable rating in the IIHS driver-side small overlap test and good ratings in four other tests. Vehicles also received passing marks in braking, handling, and reliability from CR.
Used Models
The most affordable route is to go with getting a used car. The used list splits choices into Best and more affordable Good categories. All vehicles have a curb weight above 2,750 lbs and earn good ratings from the IIHS in the original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraint tests, as well as an acceptable or good rating in the driver-side small overlap test.
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If the NHTSA rates them, they get 4 or 5 stars. Where the best and good models differ is that the best models have standard automatic braking systems that earn an advanced or superior rating from the IIHS in the original vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test.
Reliability is also taken into account, with only CR scores of 4 or 5 allowed. Pricing is average, with the lowest trims picked and the earliest applicable year.
Best Vehicles
|
Make |
Model |
Model Years |
Average KBB Price |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Small Cars |
Toyota |
Corolla sedan or hatchback |
Sedan — 2017 or newer; Hatchback — 2019 |
$10,600 |
|
Midsize Cars |
Toyota |
Camry |
2018 or newer |
$9,600 |
|
Large Cars |
Toyota |
Avalon |
2017 or newer |
$14,400 |
|
Small SUVs |
Chevrolet |
Equinox |
2020, 2023 |
$13,800 |
|
Midsize SUVs |
Volvo |
XC60 |
2017 |
$12,100 |
|
Minivans |
Toyota |
Sienna |
2018-20 |
$19,100 |
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Good Vehicles
|
Make |
Model |
Model Years |
Average KBB Price |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Small Cars |
Mazda |
3 sedan or hatchback |
2014-17; built after October 2013 |
$5,800 |
|
Midsize Cars |
Mazda |
6 |
2015-17 |
$8,400 |
|
Large Cars |
Toyota |
Avalon |
2015-16 |
$12,600 |
|
Small SUVs |
Mazda |
CX-5 |
2016 |
$10,100 |
|
Midsize SUVs |
Nissan |
Murano |
2016 |
$9,900 |
|
Minivans |
Toyota |
Sienna |
2016-17 |
$12,600 |
All vehicles listed here are 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ winners, making them some of the safest vehicles on the road today. Additionally, they all have average or better reliability, average or better emergency handling scores, and dry braking distances of less than 140 feet from 60 mph in CR’s tests. They also receive a rating of good or better from CR for the ease of use of their controls.
Pricing is based on Kelly Blue Book pricing to the nearest $100 as of April 19th, 2024 with the lowest possible trim.
|
Make |
Model |
Average KBB Price |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Small Cars |
Subaru |
Impreza |
$23,400 |
|
Midsize Cars |
Toyota |
Camry |
$26,900 |
|
Small SUV |
Mazda |
CX-30 |
$25,700 |
|
Midsize SUV |
Subaru |
Ascent |
$35,000 |
|
Minivan |
Honda |
Odyssey |
$38,200 |
|
Pickup |
Hyundai |
Santa Cruz |
$27,500 |
There are lots of choices when it comes time to choosing a vehicle for your teen. Take your time to be sure it’s the right one, but no matter which you choose, make sure they know how to drive safely before they get behind the wheel.
