Best Cars for New Drivers

The moment a teen gets their license can be a bittersweet time for parents. While it’s exciting to be officially relinquished of chauffeur duties, it’s also worrisome handing the keys over to a newly-minted driver. And for parents who choose to help their teen with the car search financially, it can be overwhelming to find a safe and reliable car that falls within budget.

To help parents find peace-of-mind, iSeeCars determined the best cars for teens across multiple vehicle categories. These cars achieved a score of 8.5 or above (out of 10) on iSeeCars quality analysis that takes into account long-term reliability, value retention, and highest average safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Based on this criteria, an iSeeCars Quality Score was calculated. While available advanced safety features vary across models, they all have basic safety features like electronic stability control and front airbags. Additionally, the vehicles on this list have a combined MPG of over 20 to help minimize the amount of money new drivers will need to spend on gas.

While the list includes cars across all sizes and categories, it’s worth noting that larger cars tend to perform better in vehicle crashes than smaller ones. An iSeeCars study found that smaller cars tend to be the most dangerous cars and have the most occupant fatalities. This is because large cars are heavier and have larger crush zones that provide more of a safety barrier in frontal crashes. However, a young driver’s best line of defense from a car crash is safe driving, which should be emphasized regardless of vehicle size. We have included cars across all budgets and sizes that meet our stringent criteria to help you decide which vehicle is the best option for your new driver.

Best Cars for Teens By Vehicle Category:

Here are the best cars for teens by vehicle category:

Best Small Cars for Teens

1. Honda Civic (Coupe)

iSeeCars Quality Score: 9.0

Reliability Score: 8.7

Retained Value Score: 8.8

Safety Score: 9.5

MSRP: $21,050-$27,250

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $20,085

Although the Honda Civic’s coupe body style was discontinued for the 2021 model year, drivers who want the sportiest version of the vehicle will be able to find it used. Civics come with a suite of safety features that include forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights.

2. Honda Civic (Sedan)

iSeeCars Quality Score: 9.0

Reliability Score: 8.1

Retained Value Score: 8.8

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $21,250-$28,300

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $18,563

Ranked second is the Honda Civic sedan, which boasts stellar fuel economy at a combined 35 mpg. Along with being fun to drive, It has a modern design with ample passenger room and an upscale cabin that belies its price point. It also has the same safety features as its coupe variant.

3. Honda Fit

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.9

Reliability Score: 8.0

Retained Value Score: 8.8

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $16,190-$20,620

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $16,342

Despite its subcompact distinction, the Honda Fit has enough head and legroom to suit tall drivers, and the car’s “magic seat” allows for more cargo space by folding up the rear seat cushions and folding down the front passenger seat. The only safety feature that comes standard is a rearview camera, but driver aids like forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning are available.

4. Toyota Corolla

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.9

Reliability Score: 8.0

Retained Value Score: 8.7

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $20,025-$28,310

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $16,667

Ranked fourth on the list is the Toyota Corolla. The Corolla is the most popular compact car in the U.S. thanks to its practicality and dependability. It has an easy-to-use touchscreen infotainment system and the Corolla comes standard with a suite of driver assistance features like pedestrian detection, traffic sign recognition, automatic emergency braking, and lane keeping assist. The 2021 Corolla is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Top Safety Pick, based on its performance in crash tests. However, the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation only applies to XLE and XSE trims that are equipped with adaptive headlights.

5. Mazda MAZDA3

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.9

Reliability Score: 8.0

Retained Value Score: 8.6

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $18,095-$32,600

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $17,168

The Mazda MAZDA3 compact car is known for its engaging driving dynamics and sporty styling. It also has a suite of active safety features, such as automatic high-beam headlights, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and pedestrian detection to name a few. Beginning with the 2019 model year, the Mazda3 is available with all-wheel drive .

Best Luxury Small Car for Teens

1. Lexus IS 350

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.9

Reliability Score: 8.0

Retained Value Score: 8.7

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $42,900-$44,900

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $35,500

The Lexus IS 350, which is the performance variant of the Lexus IS 300 small luxury sedan, is the lone small luxury car that met our criteria. With refreshed styling for 2021, the Lexus IS 350 features a suite of active safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, active lane control, and automatic high beam headlights. All-wheel drive is also available.

Best Midsize Cars for Teens

1. Honda Accord (Sedan)

iSeeCars Quality Score: 9.0

Reliability Score: 8.5

Retained Value Score: 8.6

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $24,970-$35,545

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $23,203

Ranked first is the Honda Accord midsize sedan. The Accord is praised for its sporty handling while offering more passenger room than most of its competitors. The Accord’s base engine gets an EPA-estimated 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway, excellent ratings for its class. It comes with active safety features including forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights.

2. Toyota Camry

iSeeCars Quality Score: 9.0

Reliability Score: 8.4

Retained Value Score: 8.6

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $24,970-$35,545

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $21,693

The Toyota Camry midsize sedan ranks second. The Camry is a mainstay on best midsize cars lists and provides a comfortable ride and comes with plenty of legroom and headroom for passengers. The Camry provides a suite of safety features, including lane keep assist, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard across all trims, and all-wheel drive is available on any trim with a four-cylinder engine.

3. Mazda MAZDA6

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.5

Reliability Score: 8.1

Retained Value Score: 7.3

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $24,475-$35,900

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $21,724

The midsize Mazda MAZDA6 ranks third. The Mazda6 is praised for its responsive driving dynamics, and it has an upscale interior that rivals a luxury vehicle. The MAZDA6 includes plenty of standard safety features like automatic high-beam headlights, lane keep assist, pedestrian detection, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

Best Luxury Midsize Car for Teens

1. Lexus ES 350

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.9

Reliability Score: 8.0

Retained Value Score: 8.7

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $40,000-$49,000

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $29,598

The Lexus ES 350 has a spacious and luxurious interior as well as a long list of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, road sign detection, and automatic high-beam headlights. All-wheel drive is available when paired with its four-cylinder engine option.

Best Large Cars for Teens

1. Toyota Avalon

SeeCars Quality Score: 8.6

Reliability Score: 8.8

Retained Value Score: 7.1

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $35,975-$42,975

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $24,942

The Toyota Avalon is the best large car for teens. The Avalon has ample passenger and cargo space, and an interior full of high-end materials, including synthetic leather upholstery. It comes with a suite of standard safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, LED automatic high-beam headlights, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.

Best Luxury Large Car for Teens

1. Buick LaCrosse

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.6

Reliability Score: 8.03

Retained Value Score: 7.7

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $29,570-$47,070

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $23,805

The only large luxury car to make the list is the Buick LaCrosse full-size sedan. The LaCrosse has a perfect crash test safety rating, spacious seating and above-average fuel economy for its class. A rearview camera and rear parking sensors come standard, but more advanced safety features are available on higher trim levels. Because it was discontinued after the 2019 model year, only used versions are available.

Best Small SUVs for Teens

1. Subaru Outback

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.7

Reliability Score: 8.0

Retained Value Score: 8.0

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $26,795-$39,945

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $25,468

The Subaru Outback’s ambiguity as a wagon-like SUV offers the smooth driving dynamics of a car and the utility of an SUV. The Outback comes standard with a suite of safety features, including rear-seat reminder, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and steering-responsive automatic headlights.

2. Honda CR-V

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.7

Reliability Score: 8.1

Retained Value Score: 8.3

Safety Score: 9.6

MSRP: $25,350-$35,150

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $24,474

The Honda CR-V is one of the most spacious vehicles in its class, offering a cargo capacity that’s on par with larger midsize SUVs. One of the best small SUVs available, the CR-V also provides excellent fuel economy, earning an estimated 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway for its front-wheel drive models. A suite of standard safety features are available, which include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist.

Best Midsize SUVs for Teens

1. Honda Pilot

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.8

Reliability Score: 8.6

Retained Value Score: 8.1

Safety Score: 9.7

MSRP: $32,550-$50,220

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $29,813

Earring the spot as the best midsize SUV for teens is the Honda Pilot. The Honda Pilot offers a smooth ride and above-average gas mileage for its class. The Pilot comes standard with a suite of safety features including forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights.

2. Toyota Highlander

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.8

Reliability Score: 8.3

Retained Value Score: 8.3

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $34,910-$49,015

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $31,801

Ranked second is the Toyota Highlander. The Toyota Highlander is a capable crossover with a high-quality cabin and three spacious rows of seats. The Highlander comes standard with a suite of safety features including cross traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and pedestrian detection.

Best Luxury Midsize SUVs for Teens

1. Acura MDX

iSeeCars Quality Score: 9.0

Reliability Score: 8.8

Retained Value Score: 8.1

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $46,900-$60,650

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $33,198

The Acura MDX comes with standard features including wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also has new standard driver assistance features like blindspot monitoring, drowsiness monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert.

2. Lexus RX 350

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.5

Reliability Score: 8.8

Retained Value Score: 8.1

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $45,170-$52,450

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $38,620

The Lexus RX 350 comes with a long list of standard equipment like synthetic leather, dual-zone climate control, auto-dimming mirrors, and a power liftgate, to name a few. The RX 350 also has a suite of standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane keep assist. All-wheel drive is also available.

Best Minivan for Teens

1. Honda Odyssey

iSeeCars Quality Score: 9.2

Reliability Score: 9.2

Retained Value Score: 8.2

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $45,170-$52,450

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $30,229

While minivans may not be a popular vehicle choice for teens, one vehicle in the segment meets our Best Cars for Teens criteria. The Honda Odyssey comes standard with advanced safety features, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist.

Best Wagon for Teens

1. Subaru Impreza

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.9

Reliability Score: 8.1

Retained Value Score: 8.6

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $19,295-$26,395

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $19,257

The Subaru Impreza offers standard all-wheel drive, which is rare for its class. As one of the best AWD cars on the market because of its quality and value, it’s also fuel efficient, with a combined mpg of 31. The reliable and safe Impreza comes with standard driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Best Luxury Wagon for Teens

1. BMW 3 Series

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.5

Reliability Score: 8.0

Retained Value Score: 7.3

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $45,000

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $34,694

One luxury wagon meets our Best Cars for Teens criteria, the BMW 3 Series. However, the 3 Series wagon was discontinued after the 2019 model year, so only used versions of this vehicle are available. The 3 Series wagon only offers the rearview camera standard, but available advanced safety features include parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision warning.

Best Hybrid Cars for Teens

1. Toyota Camry Hybrid

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.8

Reliability Score: 8.8

Retained Value Score: 7.7

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $27,270-$32,720

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $23,296

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is the hybrid version of the best-selling Camry sedan and offers the same infotainment and advanced safety features. One of the best hybrid cars available, the Toyota Camry Hybrid also returns 52 mpg combined, compared to the 32 mpg combined of its non-hybrid counterpart, making it a more efficient option.

2. Toyota Prius

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.8

Reliability Score: 8.8

Retained Value Score: 8.0

Safety Score: 9.6

MSRP: $24,525-$32,650

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $20,744

The Toyota Prius hatchback offers plenty of passenger and cargo room, plus a suite of standard safety features including a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, and a pre-collision system.

Best Luxury Hybrid Car

1. Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.5

Reliability Score: 8.6

Retained Value Score: 7.0

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $36,750-$42,500

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $25,756

The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid was discontinued after the 2020 model year, so only used versions are available. The MKZ Hybrid comes standard with a suite of active safety features including forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, automatic high-beam headlights, adaptive cruise control, and lane keep assist.

Best Hybrid SUV

1. Toyota Highlander Hybrid

iSeeCars Quality Score: 9.2

Reliability Score: 8.9

Retained Value Score: 8.6

Safety Score: 10

MSRP: $38,510-$50,415

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $35,960

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid stands out as the only hybrid SUV to make the list. It has the same safety features of its non-hybrid variant, but is more efficient with an average combined mpg of 36.

Best Luxury Hybrid SUV

1. Lexus RX 450h

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.9

Reliability Score: 9.0

Retained Value Score: 8.0

Safety Score: 9.75

MSRP: $47,820-$53,620

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $42,552

The only luxury hybrid SUV to make the list is the Lexus RX 450h. The Lexus RX 450h has the same safety features as the Lexus RX 350, but has an improved combined MPG of 30 mpg. Unlike its non-hybrid counterpart, all-wheel drive comes standard.

Check out the full guide which includes the Best Cars for Teens by Price.

Bottom Line:

Having a teen driver can be scary, but the car buying experience doesn’t have to be. Regardless of your budget or preference in vehicle type, there is a high-quality vehicle to suit your needs. Making a good choice for a teen’s first vehicle purchase can provide much-needed peace-of-mind.

More from iSeeCars.com:

• How to Buy a Used Car

• Car Leasing Vs. Buying: Which is Better?

• Most Reliable Cars

If you’re ready to start the car buying process for your teen, you can search over 4 million new and used cars with the iSeeCars.com car search engine that helps shoppers find the best car deals by providing key insights and valuable resources, like the iSeeCars free VIN check and Best Cars rankings.

This article, Best Cars for Teens, originally appeared on iSeeCars.com.