Teen?s First Ride
When it comes to purchasing a car for a new teen driver, the goal of most parents is to get their kids into the safest vehicles possible. Sure, plenty of new models achieve the highest safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, but most of those vehicles cost more than many parents are willing to spend, so the IIHS has produced a list of more than 50 of the safest used vehicles ? all priced below $20,000.
General Guidelines
The IIHS has some general guidelines to keep in mind when buying a teen?s first car. These include staying away from high-horsepower models that can tempt a teen to go too fast; buying a bigger, heavier vehicle that is more likely to protect in a crash; only getting cars with electronic stability control; and of course, choosing vehicles that have the highest safety ratings. The IIHS also recommends checking for recalls before making a final purchase decision.
Criteria
Vehicles chosen by the IIHS had to earn good ratings in the organization?s moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, and good or acceptable ratings in the driver-side small overlap front test. If tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the vehicle must have scored at least a 4 stars overall. Vehicles with a history of high claim frequency for medical or personal injury coverage are excluded. The vehicles in this IIHS list have a starting price below $20,000 based on values obtained from Kelley Blue Book. Vehicles are listed in alphabetical order.
Acura MDX
Year: 2014 and newer
Estimated price: $19,600
Classification: Midsize SUV
Acura RLX
Year: 2014 and newer
Estimated price: $18,600
Classification: Large Car
Acura TL
Year: 2012?14; built after April 2012
Estimated Price: $10,700
Classification: Midsize Car
Acura TLX
Year: 2015; 2017 and newer
Estimated Price: $16,500
Classification: Midsize Car
Audi A3
Year: 2015 and newer
Estimated Price: $16,500
Classification: Midsize Car
BMW 2 Series Coupe
Year: 2015 and newer
Estimated Price: $18,600
Classification: Midsize Car
Buick Encore
Year: 2015 and newer
Estimated Price: $12,300
Classification: Small SUV
Buick LaCrosse
Year: 2017 and newer
Estimated Price: $19,800
Classification: Large Car
Chevrolet Equinox
Year: 2014 and newer
Estimated Price: $11,700
Classification: Midsize SUV
Chevrolet Impala
Year: 2015 and newer
Estimated Price: $13,200
Classification: Large Car
Fiat 500X
Year: 2016 and newer; built after July 2015
Estimated Price: $11,300
Classification: Small SUV
Ford Edge
Year: 2016 and newer
Estimated Price: $17,600
Classification: Midsize SUV
Ford Escape
Year: 2017 and newer
Estimated Price: $14,600
Classification: Small SUV
Ford Flex
Year: 2011 and newer
Estimated Price: $8,700
Classification: Midsize SUV
Ford Fusion
Year: 2013 and newer; built after December 2012
Estimated Price: $8,100
Classification: Midsize Car
Ford Taurus
Year: 2013 and newer
Estimated Price: $10,000
Classification: Large Car
GMC Terrain
Year: 2014 and newer
Estimated Price: $12,900
Classification: Midsize SUV
Honda Accord Coupe
Year: 2013 and newer
Estimated Price: $8,900
Classification: Midsize Car
Honda Accord Sedan
Year: 2013 and newer
Estimated Price: $9,400
Classification: Midsize Car
Honda CR-V
Year: 2015 and newer
Estimated Price: $13,500
Classification: Small SUV
Honda Odyssey
Year: 2014 and newer
Estimated Price: $12,700
Classification: Minivan
Hyundai Santa Fe
Year: 2017 and newer; built after March 2016
Estimated Price: $19,800
Classification: Midsize SUV
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Year: 2017 and newer
Estimated Price: $17,700
Classification: Midsize SUV
Hyundai Tucson
Year: 2016 and newer
Estimated Price: $15,100
Classification: Small SUV
Infiniti M37 / Q70
Year: 2013 and newer
Estimated Price: $14,400
Classification: Large Car
Infiniti Q50
Year: 2014 and newer
Estimated Price: $18,600
Classification: Midsize Car
Kia Sedona
Year: 2015 and newer
Estimated Price: $12,800
Classification: Minivan
Kia Sorento
Year: 2016 and newer
Estimated Price: $15,900
Classification: Midsize SUV
Kia Sportage
Year: 2017 and newer
Estimated Price: $15,900
Classification: Small SUV
Lincoln MKZ
Year: 2013 and newer
Estimated Price: $11,900
Classification: Midsize Car
Mazda Mazda6
Year: 2014 and newer
Estimated Price: $9,000
Classification: Midsize Car
Mazda CX-3
Year: 2016 and newer
Estimated Price: $15,100
Classification: Small SUV
Mazda CX-5
Year: 2014 and newer; built after October 2013
Estimated Price: $10,700
Classification: Small SUV
Nissan Murano
Year: 2015 and newer
Estimated Price: $17,200
Classification: Midsize SUV
Nissan Pathfinder
Year: 2015 and newer
Estimated Price: $16,300
Classification: Midsize SUV
Nissan Rogue
Year: 2014 and newer
Estimated Price: $11,500
Classification: Small SUV
Subaru Forester
Year: 2014 and newer
Estimated Price: $12,000
Classification: Small SUV
Subaru Legacy
Year: 2013 and newer; built after October 2012
Estimated Price: $8,300
Classification: Midsize Car
Subaru Outback
Year: 2013 and newer; built after October 2012
Estimated Price: $10,300
Classification: Midsize
Toyota Avalon
Year: 2015 and newer
Estimated Price: $17,500
Classification: Large Car
Toyota Highlander
Year: 2014 and newer
Estimated Price: $17,600
Classification: Midsize SUV
Toyota Prius v
Year: 2015 and newer
Estimated Price: $14,700
Classification: Midsize Car
Toyota RAV4
Year: 2015 and newer; built after November 2014
Estimated Price: $14,800
Classification: Small SUV
Toyota Sienna
Year: 2015 and newer
Estimated Price: $17,500
Classification: Minivan
Toyota Tacoma Access Cab
Year: 2016 and newer
Estimated Price: $18,100
Classification: Small Pickup
Toyota Tundra Double Cab
Year: 2014 and newer
Estimated Price: $19,000
Classification: Large Pickup
Volkswagen Jetta
Year: 2015 and newer
Estimated Price: $8,900
Classification: Midsize Car
Volkswagen Passat
Year: 2013 and newer; built after October 2012
Estimated Price: $6,000
Classification: Midsize Car
Volvo S60
Year: 2011 and newer
Estimated Price: $7,900
Classification: Midsize
Volvo S80
Year: 2007 and newer
Estimated Price: $3,900
Classification: Large Car
Volvo V60
Year: 2015 and newer
Estimated Price: $14,800
Classification: Midsize Car
Volvo XC60
Year: 2013 and newer
Estimated Price: $12,900
Classification: Midsize SUV
Volvo XC90
Year: 2005 and newer
Estimated Price: $3,700
Classification: Midsize SUV
