Starting car price: $22,475

Fuel economy: 22 city and 28 highway mpg

Engine specs: 2.5-liter, four-cylinder

The Rav4 is the only sport utility vehicle on the list. As a general rule, SUVs are not a good choice for a teen's first car because high-performance vehicles are usually too difficult for inexperienced drivers, says Reed.

However, if you're intent on buying one, the Rav4 does offer some impressive safety features, including antilock brakes, vehicle stability control, electronic brake-force distribution and brake-assist technology. In addition, SUVs generally provide good visibility, Reed says.

The RAV4 sound system has MP3 compatibility and is also XM radio compatible (a subscription costs extra).