- Price: $18,180
- Gas mileage: 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway
It may not turn heads or have your teenager's friends green with envy, but for what the Corolla lacks in excitement, it's one of the best cars for teenagers. It's safe, relatively inexpensive and should get your teen through college and into that first job.
With its 132-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission as priced here, Corolla isn't the quickest on this list. And, a five- or six-speed automatic transmission would noticeably improve fuel economy. However, the engine is nearly bulletproof and will run for years.
There is a less expensive model, but the LE adds Bluetooth connectivity, iPod interface and two additional speakers to the base model's keyless entry, trip computer and four-speaker audio system.