Teen drivers are four times more likely to get into an accident, according to statistics. However, there are plenty of safe, reliable, and affordable used cars out there to keep them safe and reduce the hit to your pocketbook if they do get in an accident. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) regularly releases recommendations for the safest used cars for teen drivers.
Medium Size and Low Horsepower Dominates
Finding good used cars for teens is often harder than it looks. Thanks to rising prices on the new and used market, finding a nice, reliable, and affordable car isn’t always easy. However, IIHS recently released its annual list to make things easier. All recommendations on the list include electronic stability control, good ratings in IIHS crash tests, and a dry braking distance of less than 145 feet from 60 MPH.
2014 – 2020 Mazda 3
Generally, the IIHS doesn’t recommend small cars for teen drivers, but some compacts were included. The Mazda 3 is one of the best entries for teen drivers. It was redesigned in 2014, adding features like a choice between a 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an available six-speed manual transmission, and top safety marks. You can expect to pay roughly $9,000 for a model in the newer end of the year range.
2014 Kia Soul
The Kia Soul also scores well in the IIHS list for reliable used cars, despite its slight tendency to roll over. The Soul is still very reliable and does well in crash tests. It offers a choice of two small engines, a 1.6-liter and a 2.0-liter. It’s not a fast car, which is a good feature in a car for a teen driver. However, the Soul is fun to drive and fun to look at. It’s also roomier inside than you might expect. But its best feature is probably its low price of $6,600 on average.
2014 – 2016 Ford C-Max Hybrid
You won’t be doing your teen any cool-factor favors with this entry in the IIHS list for reliable used cars. It’s admittedly very boring to look at, but it offers excellent gas mileage at 39 MPG combined, and it also does well in crash tests. The C-Max isn’t terribly expensive either with used models hovering in the $10,000 range.
2013 (or later) Toyota Corolla
Much cooler to look at and with great reliability ratings is the compact Toyota Corolla. The latest Corolla models have stayed true to the car’s heritage with economical pricing and a little bit of fun, especially if you get the hatchback. You can also get a manual transmission in the latest Corolla. The average price for a used model is around $10,000.
2013 – 2021 Subaru Legacy
Another tried and true model is the Subaru Legacy. This sedan has been in the IIHS top safety picks for nearly a decade. Subaru continues to lean toward adding more safety features to its models, inside and outside. The Legacy offers a choice of four engine configurations and several interior trim choices. It also offers AWD, which is great for those in slippery winter climates. The Legacy comes in at a nice price point, around $7,800.
The IIHS list features several more popular used cars from Honda, Toyota, Subaru, and more, but the ones listed here are at the top.
