Choosing the Best Vehicle for your Teen

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For years, the IIHS has been the best source of safety ratings for new vehicles. However not all vehicles listed as a TOP SAFETY PICK or TOP SAFETY PICK+ (especially brand new ones) are within a family’s budget. In fact, 83 percent of parents who bought a car for their teen last year got a used one, according to a national survey conducted for the IIHS (see background research).

What makes a car safe?

The IIHS defines safety by these four main principles:

• Less horsepower is better for young drivers. Being able to go fast is not seen as a good thing for teen drivers.
• Bigger, Heavier, Slower, Better. Beginning to see a trend here? A big, slower vehicle is always going to be safer in a collision, and HLDI studies show that teens are less likely to crash them in the first place. You’ll notice on the recommended list that there are no small cars.
• They should have Electronic stability control (ESC). This feature, will help a driver keep control of the vehicle on icy or wet roads, reducing the risk of an accident.
• The higher the safety rating, the better the car. At the very least, a good rating in the IIHS moderate overlap front, side, and head restraint tests and 4 out of 5 stars from the at a minimum from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Check for recalls

Before buying, check the car’s VIN number to see if there are any outstanding recalls. After buying, register your vehicle with the manufacturer to stay in the loop about any future recalls. NHTSA is another great resource for vehicle owners to check on any recalls or issues.

For more information, see “Smart picks for new drivers: IIHS updates criteria for recommended used vehicles” (April 2017).

The following lists are provided by the IIHS and we put them here for your convenience. For the original content, visit http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicles-for-teens

BEST CHOICES: recommended used vehicles for teens starting under $20,000

Vehicles on this list earn good ratings in the IIHS moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests and good or acceptable ratings in the small overlap front test. If rated by NHTSA, they earn 4 or 5 stars overall or 4 or 5 stars in the front and side tests under the old rating scheme. All come with standard ESC.

All listed vehicles start under $20,000. Prices, provided by Kelley Blue Book and rounded to the nearest $100, are from March 1, 2017, for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year. The estimates are based on the following criteria: vehicle in good condition, typical mileage and private party purchase in Arlington, Va.

Note: Some listed models include a “built after” date. This applies when a manufacturer makes changes to improve safety in the middle of a model year. Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured can be found on the certification label typically affixed to the driver door or near it.

GOOD CHOICES: recommended used vehicles for teens starting under $10,000

Vehicles on this list earn good ratings in the IIHS moderate overlap front, side and head restraint tests. If rated by NHTSA, they earn 4 or 5 stars overall or 4 or 5 stars in the front and side tests under the old rating scheme. All come with standard ESC.

All listed vehicles start under $10,000. Prices, provided by Kelley Blue Book and rounded to the nearest $100, are from March 1, 2017, for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year. The estimates are based on the following criteria: vehicle in good condition, typical mileage and private party purchase in Arlington, Va.

Note: Some listed models include a “built after” date. This applies when a manufacturer makes changes to improve safety in the middle of a model year. Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured can be found on the certification label typically affixed to the driver door or near it.

To make an insurance plan for your teen driver, click here