8 safest new cars for teens

Choosing a car for a teen driver means making tough financial decisions at a time when college bills and lodging expenses loom on the horizon. The temptation, and often necessity, is to buy a cheap, bare-bones model or pass down a family car. But given that the car will be transporting precious cargo, careful consideration should be given to choosing the best car your budget will allow.

The sad reality is that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 14-18 year olds. In fact, almost half of teens involved in a crash die, according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

While choosing a car with a solid reliability track record and excellent safety marks is a great start, we suggest going further to pick a model that is well-suited to inexperienced drivers.

Generally speaking, bigger and heavier vehicles perform better in crash tests. But very large vehicles can have unwieldy handling, offer poor fuel economy, and allow for more passengers—a potentially dangerous distraction that has been shown to increase a young driver’s crash risk.

Large pickups and SUVs are not recommended for inexperienced drivers because their high centers of gravity make them more prone to roll over than other vehicles. Sports cars are also a poor choice for young drivers. They beg to be driven too fast and have a higher rate of accidents than other cars. Consequently, they often carry high insurance premiums for young drivers.

Check our guide to teen driving.

Smart choices

For this list, we did not consider cars with 0-60-mph acceleration times faster than 8 seconds or slower than 11 seconds, those with braking distances longer than 145 feet in dry conditions, or those with mediocre emergency-handling scores.

Each car here carries a Consumer Reports Recommendation, meaning it meets our stringent standards for test performance, reliability, and safety. Carrying it a step further, each featured car has also earned Top Safety Pick Plus accolades from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. To be designated as a Top Safety Pick Plus, a car has to earn at least an Acceptable rating in the small-overlap front-crash test and a Good rating in all other crash tests. In addition, it has to have a front-crash-prevention system equipped with an automatic emergency-braking (autobrake) feature that earns an advanced or superior rating in their front-crash-prevention ratings. Electronic stability control is a must-have for inexperienced drivers (and recommended for all). Good news is that ESC was made standard on all passengers cars in 2012.

Mazda3

Base MSRP price range: $16,945 - $26,595

Whether as a sedan or hatchback, the Mazda3 is really fun to drive and gets great fuel economy. It also offers a host of luxury features rarely matched by any other small car. At 33 mpg, the Mazda3 is the most fuel-efficient compact that isn't a hybrid or a diesel. High-tech features include a multimedia system with a large touch screen, as well as active safety features such as a blind-spot monitoring system. On the downside, the car can be loud on the highway, and ride comfort is acceptable but far from class leading. The multimedia controls can be cumbersome, and other small cars have roomier rear seats. Ultimately, the fun-factor, with an engaging driving experience, is what may most appeal to a teen.

Mazda CX-5

Base MSRP price range: $21,545 - $29,220

Think of the CX-5 as bundling fun with sport/cute versatility and impressive fuel economy. It has taut, agile handling and quick, well-weighted steering. The trade off is the ride can be a bit choppy, and the cabin lets in too much road and wind noise. The 2.0-liter and the more responsive 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines returned a very competitive 25 mpg overall in our tests. The 2.0-liter, available only with front-wheel drive, is slow at launch and requires prodding to keep up with traffic. The 2.5-liter provides noticeably quicker acceleration. The six-speed automatic is fairly smooth; a six-speed manual is available on base versions. The interior is roomy and versatile, with simple controls, but cheap touches are evident. Reliability has been above average. Updates for the 2016 model year include a new audio system with a controller knob.

Subaru Forester

Base MSRP price range: $22,195 - $33,095

Following its back-to-basics redesign, the Forester sets a high standard in the small SUV class. Its positives include large windows, big doors, an excellent driving position, and unusually spacious rear seating. In our tests, the 2.5-liter four-cylinder and CVT averaged a near-class-leading 26 mpg overall. Downsides include the somewhat choppy ride and less-than-agile—although ultimately secure—handling. Engine noise is pronounced at times, too. Controls are very simple, and in 2015 the infotainment and connectivity systems will finally be updated. Midtrim Foresters bring a lot of content for the money. The optional X-Mode gives it some off-road ability. New for 2015 is a standard backup camera for all trim lines.