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Car and Driver
caranddriver.com › rankings › best-cars-for-teens
Best First Cars for Teens and New Drivers in 2026, Tested
C/D SAYS: With sharp steering, an impeccably tuned chassis, and a starting price just above 30 grand, the Toyota GR86 is a brilliant sports car for the masses. Learn More ... C/D SAYS: The 2026 Honda Accord continues to offer loads of passenger space, superb ride-and-handling, and impressive fuel economy, making it a standout among mid-size sedans. Learn More ... #1 in Best Mid-Size Family Sedans#2 in Best Hybrid Vehicles Built in America#3 in Best Cars for Families for Under $40,000See More
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/whatcarshouldibuy › first car for a teenager suggestions?
r/whatcarshouldIbuy on Reddit: First car for a teenager suggestions?
May 10, 2024 -

I really want a sports car, but after reading a lot of these post I was quickly humbled and realized that getting a RWD “cool looking over safe and reliable” sports car for my first is a silly idea, according to a lot of people on this sub. And plus, I can get a nice looking sports car after I get my first (if thats even stl my choice) and learn how to adapt to drivers around me and the cars im driving aswell.

Anywho, I don’t know my actual budget 5-10k? Probably around 8k, im wanting to pay for most of it with cash upfront, so i want to find something cheap. It all depends when i start working. (havent actually started yet but I’m so excited about getting a car and driving I’m already saving, plus saving is good practice since my responsibility with money isnt the best…) plus, i have like 2-3 years to save.

anyway - updating my preferences: easy to drive/adjust to can handle snowy/rainy weather well (I know you can get tires for that, but I’m sure that some cars can handle it a lot better than others) reliable and wont guzzle gas, easy handling

i think this is a lot better than my last list, which was literally just “rwd, sports car, speedy, etc blah blah”

anyways, does this match up to any cars that would also be good for firsts?

Edit: I’m aware that cars can change a lot in those 2-3 years, just trying to keep some suggestions in mind :)

People also ask

What's the best first car for teens?

According to IIHS-HLDI's ratings report on safe vehicles for teens, which also combines safety and reliability data from Consumer Reports and NHSTA, the best cars for teens include the Mazda 3 (2014–20, 2023), Toyota Prius (2014–2017), Subaru Outback (2015–18, 2022–23), Honda HR-V (2017 or newer), and Subaru Forester (2018 or newer). Keep in mind that buying a car for a teenager often comes down to finding a vehicle with the safety features they need at a price and insurance rate you can afford.

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progressive.com
progressive.com › home › answers › car insurance information › what's the best first car for teens?
How to Choose the Best First Cars for Teens | Progressive
What is the best cheap car for a teenager?

This is a relatively easy question to answer, because the Dacia Sandero is one of the cheapest cars you can buy – and you get a lot of car for the money. The entry-level model comes with remote central locking, air con and Bluetooth, but if you spend a little more and get one of the better-specced versions, there’s an infotainment system with a neat touchscreen. It’s also cheap to insure and economical, if you choose the 1.0-litre petrol engine.

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carwow.co.uk
carwow.co.uk › first-cars › teenagers
Best Cars for Teenagers in 2026 | Carwow
What is the safest car for a teenager?

The best way to find the safest car for a new driver is to look at the ratings handed out by Euro NCAP, which is responsible for testing cars that go on sale to the public. A five-star rating is best, offering the most protection in the event of a collision. 

From our list, the models with the best safety ratings are the Skoda Fabia and Volkswagen Polo, both of which have a five-star rating.

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carwow.co.uk
carwow.co.uk › first-cars › teenagers
Best Cars for Teenagers in 2026 | Carwow
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Kelley Blue Book
kbb.com › home › best cars › best cars for teens: the list every parent needs
Best Cars for Teens: The List Every Parent Needs - Kelley Blue Book
October 20, 2025 - By using this service, you accept the terms of your Visitor Agreement ... Your email has been sent. ... A few sporty yet reasonable cars for teenagers are the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and the Honda Civic.
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IIHS
iihs.org › ratings › safe-vehicles-for-teens
Safe vehicles for teens
Best Choice vehicles have standard automatic emergency braking systems that earn an advanced or superior rating from IIHS in the original vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention test or the daytime pedestrian front crash prevention test.
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Carwow
carwow.co.uk › first-cars › teenagers
Best Cars for Teenagers in 2026 | Carwow
16 hours ago - ... For style-conscious teenagers, the Mini Hatch is probably top of the shortlist for a first car, especially as it still exudes a retro cool and there are so many personalisation options for a young driver to make their mark on the car.
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Clutch
clutch.ca › blog › posts › best-first-cars-for-teenagers
8 Best First Cars for Teenagers in 2025
The Honda Civic has long been considered one of the best first cars you can buy, and for 2025 it continues to rank among the most affordable first cars for teenagers. When looking at the best first cars for young drivers, the Civic stands out ...
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Progressive
progressive.com › home › answers › car insurance information › what's the best first car for teens?
How to Choose the Best First Cars for Teens | Progressive
September 29, 2025 - Even if a used car is cheaper to insure, it could end up being more costly for your teen in the long run. You may find the best used car for teenagers is a newer but used model with minimal mileage.
Find elsewhere
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Road & Track
roadandtrack.com › car rankings › best first cars for teens and new drivers in 2024 and 2025
Best First Cars for Teens and New Drivers in 2024 - Road & Track
September 25, 2024 - More Car Rankings: Cheapest SUVs | Affordable Sports Cars | Hybrids with the Best MPG | Best Small SUVs | Best Small Cars ... The Trax isn't the kind of car that's going to inspire a whole new generation of automotive enthusiasm, but it's a sensational value and a surprisingly pleasant subcompact crossover. Even the well-equipped higher trim levels don't surpass $30,000, and there's a ton of space inside for rear-seat passengers and your cargo.
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Ystauto
blog.ystauto.ca › 10-best-first-cars-for-teenagers-in-canada
10 Best First Cars for Teenagers in Canada for 2025 – YST Auto Sales Blog
However, with the latest models, safety features, and affordability in mind, navigating the first car for your teenager can seem overwhelming. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 best first cars for teenagers with safety features to consider, as well as the pros and cons of used vs.
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Northyorkchrysler
northyorkchrysler.ca › home › inventory
Best Cars for Teen and New Drivers | Carhub North York Chrysler
January 2, 2025 - In this blog post, we’ll explore the best first cars for teens and new drivers, highlighting key factors to consider and avoiding the pitfalls that can make this decision more complicated than it needs to be. When it comes to purchasing a car for your teenager, several key factors should ...
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Consumer Reports
consumerreports.org › cars › new cars › best new cars for teens
Best New Cars for Teens via @ConsumerReports
September 8, 2025 - To help families considering a new car for a new driver, CR and the IIHS developed this list of cars that provide both accident avoidance and crash protection. Consumer Reports members can also see which vehicles are safe and reliable, according to our exclusive survey results. All of the selections below are ideal for teens, but they can serve any shopper looking for a vehicle that excels in those areas. ... These best new cars for teens cost $24,600 to $42,200, slightly less than the price of the average new car ($47,577), according to Kelley Blue Book.
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Toyota
toyota.com › cars-for-teenagers
Toyota Cars for Teenagers | Toyota
The Corolla and Corolla Hybrid are often regarded as some of the best cars for teenagers. These Toyota starter cars are styled to be seen and pack the performance to back their picture-perfect presence.
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Mazda
mazdausa.com › home › resource center › what is a good first car for teens?
What Is a Good First Car for Teens? | Mazda USA
July 10, 2024 - With our commitment to safety and reliability, it’s no surprise that the Mazda vehicles regularly make “Best Car For Teens” lists, including that of: ... IIHS and CR have also regularly included multiple new and used Mazda vehicles in their list of safe vehicles for teens. So, if you’re looking to help narrow down your teen’s list of potential car options, consider adding in a Mazda vehicle or two for peace of mind. Choosing the right first car for your teenager involves a careful evaluation of your budget, insurance considerations, risk factors, payment expectations, and safety features.
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Axio Auto
axioauto.com › blog › 2023 › november › 2 › the-best-first-car-for-teens.htm
The Best First Car for Teens
You'll want a car that won't leave you stranded. Research the make and model to ensure it has a reputation for reliability. Brands like Toyota, Honda, and Subaru are known for their dependability. Your teenager may not have an unlimited budget for fuel.
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Motorwerks
motorwerks.com › home › resources › best first cars for teens
Best First Cars For Teens - Motor Werks
May 14, 2025 - Learn more about the best cars for teens with Motor Werks. Learn about the variety of makes and models that could be a good fit for your teen.
Price   $-$$$
Call   844-874-9522
Address   1475 S Barrington Rd, 60010
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Driving
driving.ca › auto-news › awards-surveys › best-new-used-vehicle-car-teen-driver-iihs-consumer-reports
62 Best new and used vehicles for teen drivers | Driving
May 30, 2023 - Share this Story : 62 Best new and used vehicles for teen drivers ... Consumer Reports and IIHS just issued their joint annual list of the safest and most reliable car models
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isure
isure.ca › home › the best cars for teen drivers: safety and affordability
The Best Cars for Teen Drivers: Safety and Affordability
July 16, 2025 - The IIHS and CR agencies partner each year to identify the best new and used cars for teens to help shoppers choose dependable and safe vehicles.
Call   877-514-7873
Address   7000 Pine Valley Dr Suite 101, L4L 4Y8, Woodbridge
(4.8)