OP needs to shop for insurance first. ETA: Insurance average for a 16-yo is $2511 (minimum coverage) to $7625 (full). Answer from gin_bulag_katorse on reddit.com
Car and Driver
caranddriver.com › rankings › best-cars-for-teens
Best First Cars for Teens and New Drivers in 2026, Tested
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.
AutoNation USA
autonationusa.com › home › used car guides › top 10 cars for teen drivers
Top 10 Cars For Teen Drivers | AutoNation USA
The best car for a new driver isn't just about price - it's about safety, reliability, and ease of use. Whether you're looking for a compact sedan or a small SUV, this list of the top 10 cars for 16 year olds includes vehicles that are smart, secure, and parent-approved.
What are the most reliable cars?
The BMW 3-series, Subaru Crosstrek, and Toyota Corolla are among the most reliable cars on sale today, according to Consumer Reports.
caranddriver.com
caranddriver.com › rankings › best-cars-for-teens
Best First Cars for Teens and New Drivers in 2026, Tested
Are SUVs good for a teen's first car?
Larger vehicles such as SUVs and trucks offer more metal and weight to protect occupants in accidents, but that doesn't mean they're inherently safer. Some may be too large for new drivers to handle, as they're physically wider and longer than the average sedan or coupe. Taller vehicles also have higher centers of gravity which may make them more prone to rollover-type accidents.
caranddriver.com
caranddriver.com › rankings › best-cars-for-teens
Best First Cars for Teens and New Drivers in 2026, Tested
What are the safest cars?
The Honda CR-V, Honda Accord, and Honda Odyssey rank among the safest vehicles on sale today, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
caranddriver.com
caranddriver.com › rankings › best-cars-for-teens
Best First Cars for Teens and New Drivers in 2026, Tested
Motor Axle
motoraxle.com › home › top 10 cars for 16-year-olds that are cheap, safe, and cool to drive
Top 10 Cars for 16-Year-Olds That Are Cheap, Safe, and Cool to Drive
September 8, 2025 - Must Check: 10 Affordable Cars with 360 Degree Camera for Easy Parking and Safety ... The 2023 Honda Civic would also be perfect for a 16-year-old’s first car.
EchoPark
echopark.com › articles › best-cars-for-teens
Best Cars for Teenage Drivers - Top 10 Rankings | EchoPark
View the best cars for teens in 2023. Ranked on affordability, maintenance costs, safety, and tech features. Find cheap cars for teens with EchoPark Automotive.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/whatcarshouldibuy › what car should i buy as a 16 year old
r/whatcarshouldIbuy on Reddit: What car should I buy as a 16 year old
January 29, 2024 -
Hello r/whatcarshouldIbut , Im sure you guys get lots of posts like this but im about to turn 16 and am looking for a car to buy. Im looking for something
- Not to expensive, around $6000-$9000 tops
- Won't cost me a fortune in repairs and something I could maybe repair myself with a bit of knowledge since I do take auto shop class
I would be a responsible driver and as for what type of cars I like, here's a few: Honda civic type r hatchbacks, bmw e30, bmw e36, Nissan 350 and 370z, and stuff like that.
Whatever recommendations you guys have and reasons why, please leave them below I would appreciate it a lot
Top answer 1 of 56
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OP needs to shop for insurance first. ETA: Insurance average for a 16-yo is $2511 (minimum coverage) to $7625 (full).
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I would be a responsible driver and as for what type of cars I like, here's a few: Honda civic type r hatchbacks, bmw e30, bmw e36, Nissan 350 and 370z, and stuff like that. While that's great that you like those cars, just know that it's going to be rare for you to find those types of vehicles in decent condition for your price range nor will they be cheap for upkeep. Not to mention you have to consider that if your insurance company deems your vehicle is a sports car you are going to be paying a lot more money than if they see you driving a beater. An insurance company sees a 16 year old driving a sports car as a disaster waiting to happen. I would say a Honda Accord coupe, Lexus SC300, or Scion tC could fit your criteria. The insurance companies aren't going to associate them with being a sports car and they are going to be in your price range.
Consumer Reports
consumerreports.org › cars › best used cars under $20,000 for teens
Best Used Cars Under $20,000 for Teens via @ConsumerReports
September 8, 2025 - Consumer Reports and IIHS present the best used cars for teens under $20,000 that balance accident avoidance, crash protection, performance, and reliability.
Ranker
ranker.com › home › other › car models › best cars for teens: new and used, ranked
Best Cars for Teens: New and Used, Ranked
June 2, 2025 - Over 100 fans have voted on the 50+ cars on Best Cars for Teens: New and Used, Ranked. Current Top 3: Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Ford Focus
The Zebra
thezebra.com › the zebra › resource center › driving › best cars for teens: 15 vehicles under $20k with top safety ratings
Best cars for teens: 15 vehicles under $20K with top safety ratings
April 24, 2024 - Skip below to the infographic for a quick review of the best cars for teens under $20,000, $15,000 and $10,000, plus some safety tips for teen drivers.
TrueCar
truecar.com › home › the 10 coolest cars for teens
The 10 Coolest Cars for Teens - TrueCar Blog
October 3, 2024 - 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.
Carpages
carpages.ca › home › cp_guides › top 12 best cars for teenagers
Top 12 Best Cars for Teenagers - Carpages Blog
November 17, 2021 - These are cars that require minimal maintenance and repairs, have a low record of breakdowns and recalls, can run smoothly for decades, and as a result, top reliability rankings from places like Consumer Reports and J.D. Power. As the old saying goes, “prevention is better than cure.” The best cars for teen drivers come with an abundance of safety features that can help warn and even prevent drivers from collisions.
Vehicleseeks
vehicleseeks.com › top-10-cars-for-16-year-olds
Top 10 Cars for 16-Year-Olds: A Practical Guide for New Drivers - Vehicle Seeks
December 2, 2025 - The Kia Soul is one of the most teen-friendly cars visually and practically. Its boxy shape gives it outstanding interior room and great visibility. ... Parents also enjoy that the Soul maintains affordable insurance costs.
ACV Auction
acvauctions.com › blog › acv updates › best cars for teens: the must have models parents want
Best Cars for Teens | Top New & Used Car Models for Teens | ACV Auctions
March 13, 2024 - Adding affordable cars with excellent safety features to your inventory will attract business from parents who are shopping for good cars for teens. In this blog, we’ll highlight the top 10 best cars for teens and some of the features these vehicles have in common.
C For Cars
cforcars.com › home › info › top 10 best cars for teenagers in canada: safe, affordable, and reliable choices
Top 10 Best Cars for Teenagers in Canada: Safe, Affordable, and Reliable Choices - C For Cars
September 18, 2025 - Top 10 cars for teenagers in Canada: safe, budget-friendly, and reliable picks with low insurance and maintenance.
Farm Bureau Financial Services
fbfs.com › home › learning center › top 10 best first cars for teenagers...
Top 10 Best First Cars for Teenagers (by Safety & Price) | Farm Bureau Financial Services
May 19, 2025 - Looking for good first cars for teens? Learn what to consider, including reliability, safety features, insurance costs and maintenance needs, before buying a vehicle.
Autoweb
autoweb.com › 10-best-sports-cars-for-teens
10 Best Sports Cars for Teens | Autoweb
Today, we’ve evaluated some of our favorite choices (focusing on comparatively affordable models rather than luxury rides) to come up with a list of the 10 best sports cars for teens. We looked for great cars that can satisfy a young driving enthusiast while keeping the dangers in check.
AAA
ace.aaa.com › automotive › advocacy › best-cars-for-teens.html
How to find the right car for your teen in 2025
Learn about things you should consider when picking a car for your teen driver and see our recommended models.
GG&D
ggandd.com › home › top picks: best cars for teen drivers
Best Cars for Teen Drivers: Top Picks
March 5, 2025 - Navigating the used car market, you’ll find the Honda Civic, an economical option under $10,000, to be a standout choice for teen drivers due to its proven reliability, excellent fuel efficiency, and noteworthy safety features.
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.ca
May 30, 2023 - You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account. Many parents are looking for vehicles for their recent graduates Photo by IIHS ... The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Consumer Reports each year suggest the best cars for teens · For 2023, they’ve narrowed it down to 16 new vehicles; and 46 used ones
Edmunds
edmunds.com › home › car buying › best new cars for teen drivers | edmunds
Best New Cars for Teen Drivers | Edmunds
February 19, 2025 - Edmunds names its best cars for teen drivers. These vehicles combine solid safety scores with low fuel consumption and a useful amount of space, among other attributes.
U.S. News
cars.usnews.com › car advice
Best New and Used Cars for Teens in 2026 | U.S. News
May 28, 2025 - Looking to buy your teenager a car? Check out this list of new and used vehicles that are safe and dependable.