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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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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 :)

Discussions

First Car for a teenager
What first car would you recommend for a teenager from your experience? More on forum.leasehackr.com
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0
September 21, 2023
Best SUV for a Teenager? (Just turned 18, more info inside)
Fuck you all saying he doesn't need an SUV and should get a "nice Honda Civic" Civics aren't the end-all be all for younger kids. If he's willing to do repairs, that'll be good. I think a kid's first car should be fun and not SUPER reliable so he'll learn to fix cars. Also not too fast so he can learn to push it's limits safely and can appreciate other cars more in the future. Have you considered a Subaru Forester? It's kinda small for an SUV, but it's got AWD and is tons of fun. Or a Mitsubishi Outlander/Outlander Sport. It all depends on what you're doing with it, gonna be hauling? Get a bigger engine. Just want it to have as a car? Plenty with four cylinders. Maybe a Volvo XC60/90? More on reddit.com
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February 28, 2015
First car for a teenager suggestions?
The cleanest stock civic coupe that you can afford. More on reddit.com
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May 10, 2024
First cars for teens in high school
I wish I had a 7 or 8,000 budget for a car in high school. More on reddit.com
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August 20, 2023
People also ask

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.
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caranddriver.com
caranddriver.com › rankings › best-cars-for-teens
Best First Cars for Teens and New Drivers in 2026, Tested
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.
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caranddriver.com
caranddriver.com › rankings › best-cars-for-teens
Best First Cars for Teens and New Drivers in 2026, Tested
What should I look for in a car for my teen?
Safety should be the number one priority when searching for a car for your teen, as the fatal crash rate per miles driven for teenagers is far higher than the national average, according to Kelley Blue Book. To that end, you should consider cars that feature modern safety systems.
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caranddriver.com
caranddriver.com › rankings › best-cars-for-teens
Best First Cars for Teens and New Drivers in 2026, Tested
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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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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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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.
Find elsewhere
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Mazda USA
mazdaespanol.com › inicio › centro de recursos › 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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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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Quora
quora.com › Whats-the-best-first-car-for-a-teen-3-8k-I-love-muscle-cars-and-want-to-get-into-the-car-hobby-but-want-something-reliable-but-fun
What's the best first car for a teen 3-8k? I love muscle cars and want to get into the car hobby but want something reliable but fun. - Quora
Answer (1 of 4): Probably the right answer here is a used Mazda 3 or Hyundai Elantra GT with a manual transmission. Reliable, cheap to service, and very fun without being so fast that you’ll get into big trouble.
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Cars.com
cars.com › home › news › latest news
What’s the Safest, Most Affordable Car for Teens? | Cars.com
May 21, 2024 - Both groups must have above-average Consumer Reports reliability and score well in the publication’s emergency handling and braking tests, as well as score well in IIHS’ crash tests and earn four or five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Best Choice models level up with a standard automatic emergency braking system that earns an advanced or superior rating from IIHS.
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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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IGOTA~STi
igotasti.com › home › forums › general community › daily news & rumors
Best cars for teens: $20,000 or less - IGOTA~STi
September 19, 2024 - There are currently three new cars on sale in America with a retail price below the $20,000 threshold: the Nissan Versa, the Kia Rio and the Mitsubishi Mirage. Of the three, we think the Nissan Versa is probably the best buy.
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Quora
quora.com › What-are-some-good-cars-for-teens-who-want-their-first-vehicle-but-it-has-to-be-fast-and-safe-at-the-same-time
What are some good cars for teens who want their first vehicle, but it has to be fast and safe at the same time? - Quora
Answer (1 of 2): First off, please remember safety decreases as speed increases, regardless of vehicle and especially - ESPECIALLY - with an inexperienced driver. So “fast and safe” is a bit of a misnomer. That said, I would consider a four-door sedan for a new driver.
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AAA
acg.aaa.com › aaa connect › blogs › auto › guide to buying first car for new drivers
How to Choose the Best First Car for Your Teen
February 7, 2025 - Find the perfect car for your teen! Discover tips on safety features, tech integration, financial planning, test drives, and more. Explore AAA resources to make an informed decision.
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USA Today
usatoday.com › story › money › cars › 2019 › 04 › 30 › best-first-cars-teens-tips-buying-your-teenagers-first-car › 3585638002
Best first cars for teens: Tips for buying your teenager's first car
April 30, 2019 - While it's true that larger vehicles may help protect teenagers during a crash, Consumer Reports says parents should focus on safety features that prevent crashes from happening in the first place. The consumer-advocacy organization compiles an annual list of best vehicles for teens with both new and used car options based on safety, reliability, pricing and other data.
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Insurify
insurify.com › car insurance › knowledge › best cars for teens
Best Cars for Teens: Guide to the Safest Picks | Insurify
December 18, 2025 - The Honda Civic and Mazda3, for example, are reliable vehicles with high safety ratings. Another choice is the 2021 Toyota Camry, which Kelley Blue Book ranked best for resale value.
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Driveway
driveway.com › learn › buying › the-best-first-cars-for-teens
The Best First Cars for Teens | Driveway
September 15, 2025 - Find a new or used first car for your teen driver that lands in that sweet spot for safety, reliability, features, and cost.
Price   $-$$$
Address   150 N Bartlett St, 97501, Medford
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WTOP
wtop.com › wtop | washington’s top news | dc, md & va news, traffic & weather › latest news › what’s the best car to get your new teen driver?
What’s the best car to get your new teen driver? - WTOP News
May 24, 2023 - For 2023 models, they focus on top safety picks. Most vehicles range from small cars to mid-size SUVs. One truck also makes the list. But you’ll find no micro cars on this list. “We think it’s important that people not put their youngest drivers in the smallest cars. Small cars, by their nature of being small, do not offer as much crash protection.