The Hyundai Elantra has quickly gained a reputation for offering modern tech, sharp styling, and impressive safety. The 2021 redesign introduced standard safety features that rival luxury vehicles. Elantra is frequently featured on lists of top 10 cars for 16 year olds because of its combination ...

October 20, 2025 - Here is a list of the 30 best cars for teenagers and tips for parents on safety features and options to consider for your new driver in 2024.

Car and Driver's rankings are arrived at from the results of our extensive instrumented testing of several hundred vehicles each year and from our expert editors' subjective impressions gained in real-world driving. We've ranked the Best Cars for Teens based on roughly 200 data points encompassing acceleration, handling, comfort, cargo space, fuel efficiency, value, and how enjoyable they are to drive.

September 8, 2025 - The Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, and Subaru Impreza are among the best first cars for 16-year-olds because they’re all safe, fuel-efficient, proven platforms—no matter which generation you start with—as well as reasonably priced ...

September 8, 2025 - The third group (available to Consumer Reports members only) are the safest cars that are also CR Recommended. This means that these vehicles also meet our stringent requirements for road-test performance, reliability, and owner satisfaction. • Good for Safety Under $10,000 • Best for Safety Under $20,000 • Recommended Used Cars for Teens

Prices, provided by Kelley Blue Book and rounded to the nearest $100, are average U.S. values from April 19, 2024, 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. ... All listed vehicles are winners of the 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award and come with standard vehicle-to-vehicle automatic emergency braking and good-rated seat belt reminders.

October 19, 2023 - Mazda 3 is a good choice for learning experience and it can be counted as top 10 cars for 16 year-olds even in 2022 because it is highly affordable. Despite having less cargo space, its overall rating is not that bad as compared to its price.

December 18, 2025 - Teens are three times as likely to get into accidents as drivers 20 and older.[1] For teen drivers, it’s essential to choose a car that’s affordable and safe. To help you choose the best option, Insurify compiled this list of affordable cars that can keep your teen safe on the road. Here’s what you should know about safe vehicle options from Mazda, Honda, Subaru, Toyota, and more. Safety is a top priority when choosing the best car for teen drivers.

August 8, 2021 - For a budget of $10,000, there are 10 used vehicles, in the 9- to 10-year-old range, to choose from:

March 13, 2024 - You can also get a used Toyota Corolla hatchback — with exceptionally high IIHS safety ratings and a slightly higher price point — starting with the 2019 model year.10 ... The CR-V boasts excellent reliability and resale value and snagged the spot for KBB’s highest-rated compact SUV of 2018. Most models are equipped with Honda’s Sensing safety suite and are considered easy to drive. Notably, it’s not as fun to drive as some of its peers - but that could be a perk for parents. The 2018 base model has an MSRP starting around $25,000.20 ... One of the safest cars according to the IIHS safety ratings, the Mazda 3 is fuel-efficient and compact and offers all-wheel drive (AWD).

August 8, 2021 - For a budget of $10,000, there are 10 used vehicles, in the 9- to 10-year-old range, to choose from:

If your teen enjoys exploring the great outdoors, no car will appeal to them more than the Subaru Outback. This vehicle is incredibly safe, receiving the IIHS Top Safety Pick for many years.

May 26, 2011 - The best car for a 16 year old is a Honda Fit. Period. Enough cargo space to support an active lifestyle (two bikes), artistic expression (a drum kit) or practical concerns (a refrigerator?

December 11, 2023 - Then there is the peace of mind you’ll enjoy thanks to its industry-standard warranty and five-year roadside assistance program. Your teenager will like the Limited trim level’s upscale look and feel, as well as the wireless smartphone charger and premium sound system. Fact that might surprise you: Thanks to its standard LED headlights, the Elantra Limited gets a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS. It is one of two vehicles on our list to earn this distinction. ... Why it makes the list: A midsize car with lots of interior and trunk room, an industry-standard warranty and roadside assistance program, free connected services, and attractive design, the Kia Optima S is a well-equipped vehicle that should last a long time.

May 1, 2025 - IIHS made it a Top Safety Pick+, and as a midsize vehicle, it offers more protection than a small car. It holds its value well and earns an 85 out of 100 from J.D. Power for reliability. With a sporty-looking front grill, this four-door still has enough cool factor for your teen. And because it’s five years old, it’s already taken its biggest hit in depreciation.

Tags: best cars for new drivers, best cars for new drivers under $10000, best cars for teens, best cars for teens under 10k, best entry level cars, honda civic, kia seltos, nissan sentra, subaru crosstrek, top 10 cars for 16 year olds, toyota prius, ...

August 15, 2023 - But it’s also the only car of these 10 to score the highest possible IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation. And as with several of the other cars here, we think its relatively modest 228 hp is a safer choice for many teens than an enormous engine. ... We’ll close our list of the 10 best sports cars for teens with a classic: the 2023 Volkswagen GTI. This “hot hatch” has been delighting U.S. drivers for more than 40 years, and its history internationally goes back even further.

April 24, 2024 - The Toyota Highlander, model 2014 or newer, is our top teen vehicle recommendation for cars between $15,000 and $20,000. The vehicle earned its spot for its 5-star safety rating and lower insurance premium.

October 3, 2024 - The perfect car for a teen who mostly drives to and from a nearby school may be a plug-in hybrid. One that flies under the radar but offers an appealing blend of safety tech (the related A3 sedan was a Top Safety Pick+, features, and, well, individuality, is the Audi A3 e-tron. These plug-in hybrids offer around 16 miles of all-electric range on a full charge, which is perfect for a short trek to and from school.