Best Used Vehicles for Teen Drivers
Inexperienced drivers need safety and reliability first.
See our list of the best used cars for teens and new drivers.
Buying your teen’s first car is a big decision. After all, it will be carrying your most precious cargo out into the world. Driving is a huge responsibility, but no matter how many times you tell your teen this fact, they still might make mistakes and drive irresponsibly at times.
As a result, when choosing a first car for your high school aged driver, you probably want to start with a used vehicle that’s affordable and safe. Even though your teen might not understand, a brand’s reliability and safety record stretching back at least 10 years is more important than how “cool” the vehicle looks.
While foreign imported cars might be what comes to mind when it comes to safety and affordability, many American-based brands have made tremendous strides in both areas.
While Honda, Subaru and Toyota have traditionally topped the list for affordable and safe used vehicles, manufacturers like Chrysler, Chevrolet and Ford have also upped their game when it comes to reliability and safety. And we would be remiss if we didn’t mention Kia and Hyundai‘s recent reliability ratings.
Most “Best Cars for Teen Drivers” lists have recommendations about how much horsepower a vehicle should have (not much). These lists also say that the bigger, heavier cars and trucks are safer (traditionally they are) and that the vehicle should have electronic stability control (or ESC — and yes, most vehicles built in the last 10 years will have some form of ESC and your teen should use it).
Below we’ve provided a list of used vehicles that our experts have picked out as perfect first cars for new drivers, categorized by the size of the vehicle. Used car prices start at just under $4,000 and increase based on the vehicle and year.
Best Mid-Size Cars & Sedans
Honda Accord
(2012 or newer)
Subaru Outback
(2010 or newer)
Ford Fusion
(2011 or newer)
Toyota Prius
(2012 or newer)
Mazda 6
(2014 or newer)
Best Large Cars & Sedans
Ford Taurus
(2010 or newer)
Chevrolet Impala
(2015 or newer)
Toyota Avalon
(2011 or newer)
Buick LaCrosse
(2010 or newer)
Best Small SUVs
Mazda CX-5/CX-3
(2013 or newer)
Nissan Rogue
(2014 or newer)
Subaru Forester
(2009 or newer)
Buick Encore
(2013 or newer)
Honda CR-V
(2015 or newer)
Honda Element
(2007-2011)
Ford Escape
(2013 or newer)
Toyota RAV4
(2015 and newer)
Hyundai Tucson
(2010 or newer)
Kia Sportage
(2011 or newer)
Best Mid-Size SUVs
Dodge Journey
(2010 or newer)
Ford Edge
(2012 or newer)
Ford Explorer
(2011 or newer)
Chevrolet Equinox
(2011 or newer)
Kia Sorento
(2012 or newer)
Nissan Pathfinder
(2015 or newer)
Nissan Murano
(2015 or newer)
Toyota Highlander
(2008 or newer)
Hyundai Santa Fe
(2011 or newer)
Best Pickup Trucks
Pickup trucks are a popular first car, but few meet the criteria of our list: being safe and reliable. A mid-2000s Toyota Tacoma or Tundra would be most reliable, followed by the Honda Ridgeline. The Ford F150 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are inexpensive to maintain, but not the safest options.
Best Minivans
A teenager might not want a minivan as a first (or second) car, but sometimes practicality and affordability outweighs coolness. Good options here are the 2012 and newer Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country, as well as the Honda Odyssey (2011 or newer) and Toyota Sienna (2011 or newer).
Looking for an affordable, smart and safe first vehicle for your teen driver? Look no further! Conveniently located in downtown Sedalia, Bryant Motors always has a great selection of used vehicles for you or your teen. Select your preferred vehicle type below, or browse through our entire used vehicle inventory.
If we don’t have exactly what you want in stock, we’ll help you find the perfect car for your needs — at the price point you’re looking for! Learn more about our one-of-a-kind concierge service.
