The best used cars for teen drivers
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Finding a vehicle for your teen driver can feel challenging. You want something affordable, but of course, safety is a top priority too. And what about fuel economy? If your teen is driving to and from school, a part-time job and friends’ houses, you probably don’t want a gas guzzler, especially with gas prices remaining relatively high. If you’re looking for the best cars for teen drivers, Bankrate can help. Our insurance editorial team conducted extensive research and found five used car models stand out as the best.
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Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
The best cars for teenage drivers
To find the best cars for teen drivers, we started with safety. To make sure we chose safe vehicles, we turned to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which conduct extensive research into vehicle safety. Each of our vehicles is an IIHS Top Safety Pick. Next, we looked at the price. Inflation has hit the car market hard, and although prices are falling, they’re still higher than they were a year ago. While we used to suggest vehicles below $10,000, we’ve increased our starting price limit to $25,000 to accommodate the high cost of used vehicles in today’s economy. Pricing information is from Kelley Blue Book, but keep in mind that prices for used cars are changing rapidly with inflation. We also reviewed each vehicle’s fuel economy to account for fluctuating gas prices. Our research shows these are the top five best cars for teen drivers:
1. Honda Civic (2012–2016)
Best for resale value
Average price: $19,000 to $22,000
Fuel economy: 31 to 35 mpg
The Honda Civic has been one of the best-selling small cars in the United States for years, with a winning combination of price, features, safety, reliability and resale value. It is no surprise that it is also one of the best used cars for teens. The sedan was an IIHS Top Safety Pick every year from 2009 to 2017. The Civic also has fantastic fuel economy, with an EPA estimated average of 31 combined city/highway mpg. It also has the second-lowest average price of the cars on our list and tends to hold its value well for resale.
| Perks | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Low average prices | Small size means limited interior space |
| Strong resale value | Acceleration may feel slow |
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2. Toyota Camry (2012–2014)
Best for reliability
Average price: $22,000 to $30,600
Fuel economy: 24 to 28 mpg
The Toyota Camry often ranks near the top of the list as one of the best cars for teenagers and among the best-selling cars nationwide. Camry owners tend to hold onto these vehicles for a long time, indicating that the vehicles remain reliable. While higher-end models may cost over $25,000, it is possible to find a no-frills version for under $25,000. The 2012 standard gasoline model gets an estimated 28 combined city/highway mpg. IIHS included the 2012–2014 Camrys on its Top Safety Pick list, and the NHTSA gave the same models five-star overall safety ratings.
| Perks | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Tend to be reliable for long periods of time | Some drivers report “loose” handling |
| Ranks highly in safety tests | No manual transmission option |
3. Nissan Altima (2014 and newer)
Best for safety
Average price: $23,000 to $34,250
Fuel economy: 25 to 32 mpg
Every model of the Nissan Altima since 2014 has earned an NHTSA five-star safety rating and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick. Even in the base models, Bluetooth connectivity and Intelligent Key remote engine start are standard features, while models from 2016 and beyond also feature a rearview camera. The vehicle tends to get between 28 and 32 mpg, depending on the model and specific features. Newer models will cost more, although older models are available for under $25,000.
| Perks | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Includes advanced features in the base models | More expensive than other vehicles on our list |
| High safety test scores | Limited headroom in the back seat |
4. Mazda 3 (2012–2016)
Best for tight budgets
Average price: $16,000 to $27,315
Fuel economy: 23 to 33 mpg
The base model Mazda 3 starts at around $16,000 for a 2012 model year, making it the cheapest car on our list. At an average of 23 to 33 combined city/highway mpg, the Mazda 3 also has a high fuel efficiency score. Like the other vehicles, the Mazda 3 is an IIHS Top Safety Pick but only received four out of five stars from the NHTSA.
| Perks | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Low average prices | Small back seat |
| High safety test ratings | Acceleration can be noisy |
5. Subaru Outback (2013–2016)
Best for additional room
Average price: $24,000 to $40,000
Fuel economy: 20 to 28 mpg
Although it has the highest starting price on our list, the Subaru Outback could be a good choice if you want your teen to have a little more room or need the towing capacity. Despite being a bigger size, the Outback gets good mileage, with an average of 20 to 28 combined city/highway mph, depending on the year and trim package. The Outback is consistently an IIHS Top Safety Pick and has a five-star rating from the NHTSA. However, the Outback has had more recalls than the other vehicles on our list.
| Perks | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Roomier interior than the other vehicles listed | Several model years have had multiple recalls |
| 3,000 pound towing capacity | The larger size (compared to the others on our list) could mean less maneuverability |
Looking to save money on auto insurance?
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Car insurance for teens
Car insurance rates for young drivers tend to be higher than other age groups. This is because teen drivers have less experience on the road, which means a greater likelihood of accidents and tickets. While you are likely to pay a higher premium for a teen driver than an older driver, there are ways to get lower rates.
First, consider the car you buy for your teen. Some cars are cheaper to insure than others. Spending time researching and requesting insurance quotes for various vehicles may help you find a vehicle that is safe, reliable, within your budget and cheap to insure. You can also review car insurance discounts, as many companies offer savings specifically for teen drivers to help offset the high premiums. You may be able to add a good student discount or a driver training discount to your policy, for example.
| Driver age | Average annual full coverage premium |
|---|---|
| 16-year-old | $3,836 |
| 17-year-old | $3,580 |
| 18-year-old | $3,352 |
| 19-year-old | $2,929 |
*Rates reflect the total cost for teens insured on their parent’s policy with one vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
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Teenagers have less experience on the road, which can translate to higher crash rates. The Centers for Disease Control reports that teen drivers have a higher incidence of crashes than any other age group. Because car insurance companies know teens are more likely to get into accidents, they generally charge higher rates to compensate for the increased risk of paying a claim.
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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration produce safety ratings on the most popular vehicles. Both organizations maintain a database of auto ratings on their websites, which include older model vehicles, so that you can look for the safest and best cars for teenagers. Having your teen test drive various vehicles can also be a good idea to get a sense of what type of vehicle your teen feels most comfortable with. Some new drivers prefer smaller vehicles, while others may feel more comfortable being a little higher up in a larger vehicle.
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Most states have teenage driving restrictions. Each state sets its nighttime driving restrictions. For example, Nevada restricts teen driving between the hours of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Vermont is the only state that does not impose nighttime driving restrictions on teens.
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Most states restrict the number of teenage passengers in a car driven by another teenager. For example, a teen driver in Texas cannot have more than one passenger under 21. Florida, Iowa, Mississippi and North Dakota are the only states without restrictions.
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Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2022 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male, and female driver with a clean driving record and good credit with a 16-19-year-old teen driver added to the policy. The following full coverage limits were used:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
Our base profile drivers own a 2020 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
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