Are you preparing to let a teenager take the wheel for the first time? The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports have unveiled a new list of vehicles designed to ensure their safe travels.
Unveiled on Wednesday, the annual list highlights 96 of the safest vehicles, both new and used, suitable for teen drivers. These selections are based on factors such as crash protection, braking capabilities, headlight performance, display systems, and how well they manage in emergency situations.
“We create this annual list with teenagers in mind because they face heightened risks on the road,” explained Rebecca Weast, Senior Research Scientist at IIHS, in a press release.
The top recommendations include 29 used cars priced under $20,000, all equipped with high-rated headlights and automatic emergency braking. Additionally, there’s a selection of 45 used vehicles under $10,000 that offer solid crash protection for young drivers, according to the IIHS and Consumer Reports. These used cars span model years from 2012 to 2025.
For those considering new options, the list features about two dozen models from 2026. These new vehicles have passed the latest IIHS crash tests and earned accolades from both IIHS and Consumer Reports for their safety.
Some vehicles didn’t make the cut due to high horsepower relative to weight or if they were marketed for performance. The list also omits minicars, which lack sufficient crash protection, as well as large SUVs and pickups, which are harder to handle and can pose increased risks to others on the road, according to the organizations.
Top choices starting under $20,000
SMALL CARS
- Mazda 3 (hatchback: 2019-25; sedan: 2020-25): $13,200
- Subaru Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid (2019-23): $13,600
MIDSIZE CARS
- Nissan Maxima (2020-23): $15,200
- Subaru Legacy (2020-25): $16,500
- Nissan Altima (2021-24): $17,000
- Toyota Camry (2019-25; including hybrid): $17,300
- Kia K5 (2021-24; built after November 2020): $17,500
- Subaru Outback (2020-25; built after October 2019): $18,700
- Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2023-25): $19,400
LARGE CAR
- Genesis G80 (2019-20): $19,700
SMALL SUVS
- Mazda CX-5 (2018-25; built after March 2018): $13,100
- Mazda CX-3 (2020-21): $13,600
- Mazda CX-30 (2021-25; built after September 2020): $15,900
- Subaru Forester (2019-25): $15,900
- Chevrolet Trailblazer (2021-23): $16,700
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 (2022-24): $16,700
- Nissan Rogue (2021-23): $17,200
- Subaru Solterra (2023-25): $17,700
- Audi Q4 e-tron (2022-25): $18,100
- Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron (2022-24): $18,100
- Ford Bronco Sport (2021-25): $18,100
- Volkswagen Tiguan (2022-24): $18,200
- Kia EV6 (2022-24; built after August 2022): $18,700
- Hyundai Tucson (2022-25; including hybrid): $19,100
MIDSIZE SUVS
- Mazda CX-9 (2020-23; built after December 2019): $16,200
- Nissan Murano (2021-25): $18,000
- Ford Explorer (2020-24): $18,400
- Mitsubishi Outlander (2022-25; built after June 2021): $18,700
- Acura RDX (2019-25): $19,600
Good choices starting under $10,000
SMALL CARS
- Mini Countryman (2012-24): $4,600
- Nissan Sentra (2015-25): $4,700
- Chevrolet Sonic (2015-19; built after February 2015): $5,300
- Kia Soul (2015-25): $5,300
- Hyundai Elantra (2017-25): $6,100
- Mazda 3 hatchback or sedan (2014-18; built after October 2013): $6,900
- Hyundai Elantra GT (2018-2020): $8,000
- Subaru Impreza sedan or wagon (2014-25): $8,000
- Honda Civic coupe or sedan (2014-25): $8,100
- Kia Forte (2019-24): $8,900
- Subaru Crosstrek (2016-25): $9,000
MIDSIZE CARS
- Chevrolet Malibu (2014-25): $5,800
- Volvo S60 (2012-25): $6,700
- Hyundai Sonata (2016-25; built after October 2015; including 2017-25 hybrid): $6,900
- Nissan Altima (2016-20): $6,900
- Subaru Legacy (2015-19): $7,700
- Acura TL (2012-14; built after April 2012): $8,200
- Honda Accord sedan (2013-25; including 2014-25 hybrid): $8,300
- Mazda 6 (2016-18): $8,400
- Ford Fusion (2017-20): $9,000
- Alfa Romeo Giulia (2017-25; built after May 2017): $9,100
- Audi A3 (2015-25): $9,100
- Nissan Maxima (2016-19): $9,300
- Lincoln MKZ (2017-20): $9,500
- Audi A6 (2016-19; built after January 2015): $9,900
LARGE CARS
- Volvo S80 (2012-15): $5,600
- Acura RLX (2014-20): $9,700
SMALL SUVS
- Chevrolet Equinox (2014-24): $5,700
- Fiat 500X (2016 -18; built after July 2015): $5,700
- Nissan Rogue (2014-20): $5,900
- Hyundai Tucson (2016-21): $7,100
- Audi Q3 (2015-25): $7,200
- Jeep Compass (2017-22; built after December 2016): $7,600
- Kia Niro Hybrid (2017-22): $7,800
- Mazda CX-5 (2014-17; built after October 2013): $8,400
- BMW X1 (2016-25): $8,600
- Kia Sportage (2017-25): $8,600
- Mazda CX-3 (2016-19): $9,000
- Nissan Rogue Sport (2017): $9,100
MIDSIZE SUVS
- Volvo XC90 (2013-24): $6,000
- GMC Terrain (2014-20): $6,400
- Volvo XC60 (2013-21): $6,400
- Nissan Murano (2015-20): $8,100
- Kia Sorento (2016-18): $8,200
- Audi Q5 (2015-25; built after January 2015): $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
- 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
