---
title: Safe Used Cars for Teenage Drivers
description: "Are you looking to buy a safe and affordable used car for your teenage driver?  Wondering where to begin?  There are two tiers of recommended vehicles, best choices and good choices. Prices range from about $2,000 to nearly $20,000, so parents can buy the most safety for their money, whatever their budget.  However, 83 percent of parents of teen drivers who bought a vehicle for their teenagers said they bought it used. With that reality in mind, below is a list of affordable used vehicles that meet important safety criteria for teen drivers. There are two tiers of recommended vehicles, best choices and good choices. Prices range from about $2,000 to nearly $20,000, so parents can buy the most safety for their money, whatever their budget. The recommendations kept the following in mind when making their choices: Young drivers should stay away from high horsepower. More powerful engines can tempt young drivers to test the limits. Bigger, heavier vehicles protect better in a crash Electronic stability control (ESC) is a must. This feature, which helps a driver maintain control of the vehicle on curves and slippery roads, reduces risk on a level comparable to safety belts.  Vehicles should have the […]"
---

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## [Safe Used Cars for Teenage Drivers](https://www.palermolawgroup.com/blog/safe-used-cars-teenage-drivers)

- July 8, 2019
- [Admin](https://www.palermolawgroup.com/blog/author/admin)
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Are you looking to buy a safe and affordable used car for your teenage driver?  Wondering where to begin? 

There are two tiers of recommended vehicles, best choices and good choices. Prices range from about $2,000 to nearly $20,000, so parents can buy the most safety for their money, whatever their budget.  However, 83 percent of parents of teen drivers who bought a vehicle for their teenagers said they bought it used.

83% of parents who bought a vehicle for their teenage drivers bought it used.

With that reality in mind, below is a list of affordable used vehicles that meet important safety criteria for teen drivers. There are two tiers of recommended vehicles, best choices and good choices. Prices range from about $2,000 to nearly $20,000, so parents can buy the most safety for their money, whatever their budget.

The recommendations kept the following in mind when making their choices:

- Young drivers should stay away from high horsepower. More powerful engines can tempt young drivers to test the limits.
- Bigger, heavier vehicles protect better in a crash
- Electronic stability control (ESC) is a must. This feature, which helps a driver maintain control of the vehicle on curves and slippery roads, reduces risk on a level comparable to safety belts. 
- Vehicles should have the best safety ratings possible, and remember to check for recalls!

Use the Vehicle Identification Number to check for outstanding [recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) before buying a used vehicle. To receive future recall notices, notify the manufacturer of your purchase. NHTSA also advises vehicle owners to check its database for new recalls every six months or so.

 

---

## Best Used Car Choices under $20,000

Note:  Vehicles with higher than average claim frequency under medical payment or personal injury protection coverage are excluded from this list, [originally compiled](https://www.iihs.org/ratings/safe-vehicles-for-teens) by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

#### Best Midsize Cars:  Recommended for teenage drivers

- Volkswagen Passat: 2013 and newer; built after October 2012 – $6,600
- Volvo S60: 2011 and newer – $7,900
- Ford Fusion: 2013 and newer; built after December 2012 – $8,100
- Subaru Legacy: 2013 and newer; built after October 2012 – $8,300
- Honda Accord coupe: 2013 and newer – $8,900
- Volkswagen Jetta: 2015 and newer – $8,900
- Mazda 6: 2014 and newer – $9,000
- Honda Accord sedan: 2013 and newer – $9,400
- Subaru Outback: 2013 and newer; built after August 2012 – $10,300
- Acura TL: 2012-14; built after April 2012 – $10,700
- Lincoln MKZ: 2013 and newer – $11,900
- Toyota Prius v: 2015 and newer – $14,700
- Volvo V60: 2015 and newer – $14,800
- Audi A3: 2015 and newer – $15,000
- Acura TLX: 2015; 2017 and newer – $16,500
- BMW 2 series coupe: 2015 and newer – $18,600
- Infiniti Q50: 2014 and newer – $18,600

#### Best Large Cars:  Recommended for teenage drivers

- Volvo S80: 2007 and newer – $3,900
- Ford Taurus: 2013 and newer – $10,000
- Chevrolet Impala: 2015 and newer – $13,200
- Infiniti M37/Q70: 2013 and newer – $14,400
- Toyota Avalon: 2015 and newer – $17,500
- Acura RLX: 2014 and newer – $18,600
- Buick LaCrosse: 2017 and newer – $19,800

#### Best Small SUVs:  Recommended for teenage drivers

- Mazda CX-5: 2014 and newer; built after October 2013 – $10,700
- Fiat 500X: 2016 and newer; built after July 2015 – $11,300
- Nissan Rogue: 2014 and newer – $11,500
- Subaru Forester: 2014 and newer – $12,000
- Buick Encore: 2015 and newer – $12,300
- Honda CR-V: 2015 and newer – $13,500
- Ford Escape: 2017 and newer – $14,600
- Toyota RAV4: 2015 and newer; built after November 2014 – $14,800
- Hyundai Tucson: 2016 and newer – $15,100
- Mazda CX-3: 2016 and newer – $15,100
- Kia Sportage: 2017 and newer – $15,900

#### Best Midsize SUVs:  Recommended for teenage drivers

- Volvo XC90: 2005 and newer — $3,700
- Ford Flex: 2011 and newer – $8,700
- Chevrolet Equinox: 2014 and newer – $11,700
- GMC Terrain: 2014 and newer – $12,900
- Volvo XC60: 2013 and newer – $12,900
- Kia Sorento: 2016 and newer – $15,900
- Nissan Pathfinder: 2015 and newer – $16,300
- Nissan Murano: 2015 and newer – $17,200
- Ford Edge: 2016 and newer – $17,600
- Toyota Highlander: 2014 and newer – $17,600
- Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: 2017 and newer – $17,700
- Acura MDX: 2014 and newer – $19,600
- Hyundai Santa Fe: 2017 and newer; built after March 2016 – $19,800

#### Best Minivans:  Recommended for teenage drivers

- Honda Odyssey: 2014 and newer – $12,700
- Kia Sedona: 2015 and newer – $12,800
- Toyota Sienna: 2015 and newer – $17,500

#### Best Small Pickups:  Recommended for teenage drivers

- Toyota Tacoma Access cab: 2016 and newer – $18,100

#### Best Large Pickups:  Recommended for teenage drivers

- Toyota Tundra Double Cab: 2014 and newer – $19,000

 

## ![](https://www.palermolawgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/teen-used-cars.jpg?width=600&height=400&name=teen-used-cars.jpg)

 

## GOOD used car choices under $10,000

#### Good Midsize Cars:  Recommended for teenage drivers

- Volkswagen Jetta sedan or wagon: 2009-14 – $3,800
- Volkswagen Passat sedan or wagon: 2009-12 – $4,300
- Volkswagen CC: 2009 and newer – $4,700
- Chevrolet Malibu: 2010 and newer; built after November 2009 – $4,900
- Ford Fusion: 2011-12 – $4,900
- Subaru Legacy: 2010-12 – $4,900
- Audi A3: 2008-13 – $5,000
- Volvo C30: 2008-13 – $5,100
- Hyundai Sonata: 2011 and newer – $5,400
- Audi A4 sedan or wagon: 2009 and newer – $6,100
- Kia Optima: 2011 and newer – $6,200
- Subaru Outback: 2010-12 – $6,200
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan: 2009 and newer – $6,900
- Honda Accord sedan: 2012 – $7,300
- Lincoln MKZ: 2011-12 – $7,700
- Buick Verano: 2012-15 – $8,000
- Toyota Camry: 2012 and newer – $8,600
- Nissan Altima sedan: 2013 and newer; built after November 2012 – $8,900
- Toyota Prius v: 2012-14 – $9,100
- BMW 3 series sedan: 2012 and newer – $9,900

#### Good Large Cars:  Recommended for teenage drivers

- Buick LaCrosse: 2010-16 – $6,200
- Ford Taurus: 2010-12 – $6,500
- Buick Regal: 2011-17 – $6,800
- Saab 9-5: 2010-11 – $7,100
- Lincoln MKS: 2009-16 – $7,400
- Cadillac CTS sedan: 2011 and newer – $8,300
- Hyundai Azera: 2012 and newer – $8,400
- Hyundai Genesis sedan: 2011 and newer – $8,600
- Dodge Charger: 2011 and newer – $8,800
- Chrysler 300: 2011 and newer – $8,900
- Toyota Avalon: 2011-14 – $9,300

#### Good Small SUVs:  Recommended for teenage drivers

- Honda Element: 2007-11 – $4,400
- Volkswagen Tiguan: 2009 and newer – $5,100
- Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: 2011 and newer – $5,600
- Subaru Forester: 2009-13 – $5,600
- Hyundai Tucson: 2010-15 – $5,900
- Kia Sportage: 2011-16 – $6,600
- Ford Escape: 2013-16 – $8,900
- Mitsubishi Outlander: 2014 and newer -$9,300
- Mazda CX-5: 2013 – $9,500
- Buick Encore: 2013-14 – $9,700
- Honda CR-V: 2012 and newer – $9,700

#### Good Midsize SUVs:  Recommended for teenage drivers

- Subaru Tribeca/B9 Tribeca: 2006-14 – $4,100
- Dodge Journey: 2010 and newer – $5,100
- Hyundai Santa Fe: 2011-16 – $6,500
- Chevrolet Equinox: 2011-13 – $7,100
- Toyota Venza: 2009-15 – $7,300
- Volvo XC60: 2010-12 – $7,400
- Infiniti EX: 2008-13 – $7,700
- Toyota Highlander: 2008-13 – $8,100
- GMC Terrain: 2011-13 – $8,200
- Kia Sorento: 2012-15 – $8,300
- Audi Q5: 2009 and newer – $9,700
- Ford Edge: 2012 and newer – $9,900
- Ford Explorer: 2011 and newer – $9,900

#### Good Large SUVs:  Recommended for teenage drivers

- Chevrolet Traverse: 2012-17 – $9,300

#### Good Minivans:  Recommended for teenage drivers

- Volkswagen Routan: 2012 – $6,400
- Dodge Grand Caravan: 2012 and newer – $7,400
- Honda Odyssey: 2011-13 – $8,100
- Chrysler Town & Country: 2012-16 – $8,600
- Toyota Sienna: 2011-14 – $9,000

#### Good Large Pickups:  Recommended for teenage drivers

- Toyota Tundra Double Cab: 2007-13 – $8,600

 

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