Best Cars for Teen Drivers

The excitement of passing a driving test leads a teen driver to freedom and responsibility. If you are on the hunt for a car that a teen driver will be cruising around in, there are quite a lot of things to consider. Technology and stylish appearance might get their engines revving, but the true way to go about choosing a car for a teen driver should rely on safety and reliability.

Teen drivers are known for their inexperience and potential for destructive driving habits (can we say “cell phone?”) The proof is in the pudding. When it comes to teen driving, distracted driving accounted for 57% of car crashes. So, it should come as no surprise that 90% of teens admit to talking on the phone while driving.

As you can imagine, having a reliable car with high crash test scores is important for a teen driver. Your teen driver should know the importance of safety over flashy and trendy vehicles. Here are some top picks of cars for teen drivers.

8 Great Car Options for Teen Drivers

Hyundai Accent
A high-ranking, subcompact car, the Hyundai Accent is going to be a great new car for a teen driver. What makes this car great is useful safety features, such as forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. There is even a Blue Link System that can send alerts to your phone if your teen driver is out past curfew. The Accent also rated high in crash tests and reliability.

Volkswagen Jetta
With amazing gas mileage and safety features, the Jetta is another great new car for your teen driver. Specifically, the SE trim has a standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SEL trim comes standard with lane departure warning and lane-keep assist. The Jetta also rated very well in crash test simulations and ranks high for reliability.

Honda HR-V
If you want an SUV for your teen driver, the Honda HR-V is a great new SUV choice. The safety features in the Honda HR-V include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. This SUV is also economical when it comes to fuel, even with the spacious cargo area. This car is safe, practical and offers the reliability parents need to sleep at night.

2019 Kia Forte
Fully redesigned for 2019, the Kia Forte fits into the category of a top-ranked subcompact car. The value is great and the room is spacious. A base Forte FE will include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. Upgrade to the EX trim and your teen gets blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The more you upgrade, the more safety features become available. The Forte also received the highest designation for crash safety by IIHS. It also carries an above-average predicted reliability rating from J.D.Power.

Toyota Prius 
Known for incredible gas mileage and saving cash at the pump, the Toyota Prius is also a great option for your teen driver. The standard Prius comes with a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. With top safety picks and good ratings in crash tests, the Prius is definitely a great option for an inexperienced driver.

Hyundai Tucson
A very safe and reliable compact SUV is the Hyundai Tucson. In addition to the rearview camera, the Tucson comes with the following safety features:  forward collision warning, automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. This SUV was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. It earned the highest score of Good in every crash test. The safety rating was five stars and it earned a perfect score of five in the J.D. Power reliability score.

Toyota Camry
For value, safety and reliability, you can’t go wrong with a Camry. For safety features, you’ll get a standard rearview camera, while blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert are available. Upgrade to a Camry Hybrid and your teen driver will enjoy 42 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. And, the Camry is safe. The 2016 model delivers a perfect five out of five reliability rating from J.D. Power and Top Safety Pick+ status from the IIHS.

Chevrolet Traverse
Lastly, you must consider the Chevrolet Traverse for your teen driver.  This midsize SUV offers blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning are available, while a rearview camera comes standard. The Traverse is safe as well. It earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, as well as Good ratings on all crash tests conducted by the IIHS.

Bottom Line
Safety and reliability are likely the most important factors you need to take into consideration when choosing the best car for your teen driver. There are many options from brand new to used that will have the technology to help you sleep at night as your teen driver learns the road.