IIHS and Consumer Reports rank 96 safest cars for teens

1. Acura ILX

A compact luxury sedan that shows how a used-car bargain can still clear a serious safety screen. It is the kind of choice that leaves room in the family budget for insurance, maintenance, and a less stressful first year on the road.

2. Chevrolet Bolt

A small EV with a practical footprint and a used price that can stay within reach of a middle-class household. The trade-off is simple: accept a smaller cabin and reward yourself with a car the teen is less likely to drive like a showpiece.

3. Chevrolet Volt

This plug-in hybrid is a reminder that efficiency and safety can live in the same driveway. It fits families who want a used car that avoids performance posturing and keeps operating costs predictable.

4. Honda Civic coupe

A lighter, mainstream coupe still makes sense when the goal is crash protection without excess power. The base-engine warning matters here, because Civic nameplates can hide very different risk profiles.

5. Honda Civic sedan

The sedan version remains one of the clearest budget-to-safety compromises in the used market. It is a familiar shape, a common repair story, and a car many families can actually find without hunting for months.

6. Kia Niro

This hatchback-sized crossover keeps the price discussion grounded while still bringing useful safety credentials. For parents, the value is in avoiding oversized vehicles and avoiding the temptation to overspend on a teen’s first set of keys.

7. Kia Soul

The Soul’s boxy shape makes it easy to see and easy to park, two traits that matter when driving experience is limited. It also lands in the sweet spot where budget, size, and practical visibility line up.

8. Mazda3 sedan

A used Mazda3 sedan can deliver strong safety credentials without the sticker shock of a new crossover. Families looking for a practical first car should note how often this model appears on safety lists and used lots alike.

9. Mazda3 hatchback

The hatchback version gives more cargo flexibility while staying in a size class that is manageable for a novice driver. It is one of the clearest examples of how the safest practical choice is often a modest compact, not a giant SUV.

10. Mini Countryman

This is one of the few small, premium-leaning picks that still made the teen-friendly cut. The appeal is availability, but parents should still weigh whether a higher repair bill makes sense on a first car.

11. Nissan Sentra

A common, easy-to-shop-for sedan can help families avoid the inflated prices that come with flashier badges. The Sentra’s value is not glamour; it is accessibility.

12. Subaru Crosstrek

A compact all-weather choice that often fits families in regions where winter traction matters. It also illustrates the list’s core rule: useful, not oversized.

13. Subaru Impreza sedan

This sedan offers a simple answer to the teen-car question: enough space, enough control, and no need to chase horsepower. It is the sort of used buy that can stay in the family for years.

14. Subaru Impreza wagon

The wagon body brings more utility without jumping into the higher-risk territory of big SUVs. For families, that can mean easier shopping for school, sports, and weekend errands.

15. Volkswagen Golf

A classic compact hatchback is still relevant when the priority is manageable size and widely available used inventory. It is a good fit for buyers who want solid crash performance without paying for excess vehicle.

16. Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

This is the more adventurous Golf, but it still stays on the right side of the teen list’s size and handling logic. It offers a useful middle ground between sedan thrift and SUV stance.

17. Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

The SportWagen adds cargo room without forcing families into a large, harder-to-handle vehicle. That matters when the driver is still learning judgment, not just steering.

18. Honda Civic hatchback

The hatchback version gives families a flexible used option that remains small enough for new drivers. It is also a reminder that the safest choice often comes from the ordinary end of the market.

19. Honda Insight

The Insight gives parents a hybrid option that tends to stay sensible rather than sporty. It belongs on this list because efficiency, visibility, and restraint matter as much as badge value.

20. Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

A hybrid crossover can fit families who want a little extra efficiency without moving up to a bigger, harder-to-handle machine. It keeps the teen-driver formula focused on safety first and fuel bills second.

21. Toyota Corolla sedan

The Corolla remains one of the clearest used-car answers for parents who want broad availability and low drama. It is a practical, familiar choice for a first driver and a safer budget move than a performance trim.

22. Toyota Prius

The Prius shows that a teen car can be efficient without becoming too small or too fast. Its long used-car life also makes it easier to shop locally, which matters when availability drives price.

23. Toyota Prius Prime

This plug-in version adds efficiency while keeping the vehicle size and driving manners in the same conservative lane. It is a good example of the list rewarding calm, not excitement.

24. Acura TL

A used midsize sedan like this can be a smart buy when families want more room without stepping into a large SUV. The key trade-off is to buy the safer, slower version rather than a badge with hidden power.

25. Audi A3

This compact luxury sedan can make sense if the used price has come down enough to fit the budget. Parents should still think about repair costs before mistaking a low purchase price for a low total cost.

26. BMW 2 Series

A smaller premium car can fit the safety list, but not every parent will like the ownership economics. It is a reminder that used-car affordability means looking past the badge and into the maintenance line.

27. Chrysler 200

A used midsize sedan can be a budget bridge for families who need more room but still want a modest footprint. It is part of the list because price alone is not enough; crash protection has to be there too.

28. Ford Fusion

The Fusion remains a useful example of a widely available used sedan that can keep first-car costs down. That availability matters when families need to buy locally and move quickly.

29. Honda Accord coupe

The coupe body adds style, but families should remember that the safest buy is usually the least flashy one on the lot. Even so, the Accord name stays popular because it balances space, safety, and broad used availability.

30. Honda Accord sedan

The sedan is the more practical Accord for a teen because it keeps the car simple and familiar. It is also one of the models families are most likely to find used without stretching too far.

31. Hyundai Sonata

A mainstream midsize sedan can still be a smart value play when crash performance is strong. It gives families a reminder that safety and affordability can overlap outside the luxury aisle.

32. Lincoln MKZ

The MKZ is another used premium sedan that can look appealing if the purchase price softens enough. Parents still need to think about the full cost of ownership, not just the number on the windshield.

33. Mazda6

The Mazda6 shows how a used midsize sedan can offer a good balance of road manners and safety reputation. It is a practical choice for families who want the car to feel composed, not showy.

34. Mercedes-Benz C-Class

This is a reminder that a low used price can hide a high long-term upkeep bill. If families shop here, the safest practical choice still means thinking beyond the purchase.

35. Nissan Maxima

The Maxima offers a bigger sedan feel without forcing a jump to a large SUV. Even so, parents should keep the list’s warning in mind and avoid high-horsepower versions.

36. Subaru Legacy

A used Legacy is attractive because it is common, sensible, and easy to explain to an insurer. It sits in the exact middle-class lane this safety guide is trying to defend.

37. Subaru Outback

The Outback gives families wagon practicality and winter confidence without the handling penalty of a big truck-based SUV. That makes it one of the more realistic teen buys for busy households.

38. Toyota Camry

The Camry is the sort of car families can shop with confidence because the used market is deep and the name is familiar. That combination keeps the budget predictable while the safety case stays strong.

39. Toyota Prius V

The Prius V adds space, which can be useful for carpools, gear, and family errands. It also fits the list’s practical theme better than a bigger, thirstier crossover.

40. Volkswagen Jetta

The Jetta remains a usable sedan choice when parents want something common enough to find, but not overpowered. It is the kind of used buy that can avoid both sticker shock and unnecessary risk.

41. Volkswagen Passat

The Passat gives families a larger sedan option without crossing into oversized territory. It belongs on a teen list because room and restraint still matter more than status.

42. Volvo S60

This sedan brings a safety-first reputation that many parents recognize immediately. The trade-off is cost of ownership, which means the bargain has to work at the loan desk too.

43. Volvo V60

A used wagon can be a smart family hand-me-down if the budget and maintenance profile still make sense. It offers utility without forcing a move into the harder-to-handle vehicle classes the list leaves out.

44. Lexus IS

The IS is another premium used pick that can look attractive when the market softens enough. Families should still remember that safer driving is about the whole ownership bill, not the logo.

45. Genesis G80

The G80 is one of the list’s clearest examples of a used luxury sedan that may be affordable to buy but still costly to own. It can work for a teen, but only if the family budget can absorb the broader expense.

46. Mazda 3 hatchback, 2019-25

This is one of the better-equipped used choices for families willing to spend a little more for newer safety hardware. The extra money goes toward stronger crash protection and a better chance at avoiding a collision in the first place.

47. Mazda 3 sedan, 2020-25

The sedan version offers the same compact logic with easier used-car availability in many markets. That matters when parents want a vehicle that is safe, common, and not hard to insure relative to larger rigs.

48. Subaru Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid, 2019-23

This is a smart step up for families who want a compact crossover with extra efficiency. It sits in the newer-used group because the price buys more modern crash and avoidance technology.

50. Subaru Legacy, 2020-25

A later-model Legacy is a good fit when you want a safer used sedan but cannot justify a brand-new one. It is a budget compromise that keeps the car familiar and the risk profile manageable.

51. Nissan Altima, 2021-24

The Altima lands in the practical mainstream where parents often find enough supply to shop around. More inventory can mean better bargaining power, which is real money when the teen is also going to need insurance.

52. Toyota Camry, 2019-25

A newer Camry gives the family a broad, easy-to-service used option with strong safety credentials. It is the sort of car that can age with a teen without turning into a project.

53. Kia K5, 2021-24

The K5 is a newer midsize sedan that gives buyers modern safety features without stepping into luxury pricing. It is a good reminder that the safest practical choice is often a contemporary mainstream model.

54. Subaru Outback, 2020-25

The newer Outback keeps the utility parents like while holding the line on size and drivability. It is one of the best examples of a family car that still makes sense for a newly licensed driver.

55. Hyundai Ioniq 6, 2023-25

An electric sedan can make the list when it is priced below the truly premium EV tier. Families should treat it as a technology buy as much as a safety buy, and make sure the budget can absorb charging and insurance.

56. Mazda CX-5, 2018-25

The CX-5 is one of the safest practical used SUVs for families who want a manageable footprint. It remains popular because it delivers SUV usefulness without the scale that can overwhelm a novice driver.

57. Mazda CX-3, 2020-21

A smaller crossover can be easier to place in parking lots and less intimidating for a new driver. The trick is making sure small does not mean underprotected, which is exactly what this list tries to guard against.

58. Mazda CX-30, 2021-25

The CX-30 is a sweet spot for families who want a compact SUV with strong safety credentials and modern driver assistance. It is one of the strongest arguments for buying slightly newer rather than chasing the absolute cheapest used car.

59. Subaru Forester, 2019-25

A Forester can make sense where weather, visibility, and easy entry matter more than image. It is also common enough that shoppers can compare multiple used examples before buying.

60. Chevrolet Trailblazer, 2021-23

This small SUV keeps the footprint modest while adding the higher seating position many families like. It lands in the list because it avoids the large-SUV overkill the teen guide specifically rejects.

61. Hyundai Ioniq 5, 2022-24

The Ioniq 5 is one of the newer used EV choices that can keep a teen in a safer, less flashy vehicle class. Families should still weigh charging access at home and the broader cost picture before signing.

62. Nissan Rogue, 2021-23

The Rogue is a common used SUV, which helps with shopping convenience and price comparisons. Popularity alone is not the point, but easy availability can make a safer buy easier to actually find.

63. Subaru Solterra, 2023-25

This electric SUV shows that the safety list is not limited to gasoline cars. It works best for families already ready to manage charging and EV ownership details.

64. Audi Q4 e-tron, 2022-25

A used premium EV can fit the list, but only if the budget is strong enough to handle the total cost of ownership. The purchase price may be competitive, yet depreciation and insurance still deserve scrutiny.

65. Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron, 2022-24

This is the more stylized sibling, which means families should ask whether the shape is worth the money. For a teen, practicality usually beats fashion.

66. Ford Bronco Sport, 2021-25

The Bronco Sport offers the image of adventure without the bulk of a large SUV. That makes it easier to justify than a bigger truck-based vehicle, even if the family is really buying for school runs.

67. Volkswagen Tiguan, 2022-24

The Tiguan gives families a compact-midsize compromise with enough room for daily life. It stays relevant because it avoids the handling headaches of the larger utility vehicles the list excludes.

68. Kia EV6, 2022-24

The EV6 brings modern safety and a current design, but it is still a budget question first. Families should balance the appeal of an EV against the realities of purchase price and charging access.

69. Hyundai Tucson, 2022-25

The Tucson is one of the clearest mainstream SUV values on the list because it is common, modern, and family-friendly. It can fit a teen better than a full-size crossover that would cost more to buy and insure.

70. Mazda CX-9, 2020-23

A larger crossover like the CX-9 may work for families that truly need the space, but it is not the default answer for a new driver. The guide’s logic still pushes buyers to think smaller unless the household has a genuine need.

71. Nissan Murano, 2021-25

The Murano is a comfortable used choice, but comfort should not be mistaken for the best teen buy in every driveway. The practical question is whether its size and price still fit the household budget after insurance.

72. BMW X2

A smaller premium SUV can be appealing if the used market finally makes it affordable. Families still need to check maintenance and insurance carefully, because a cheaper purchase price does not erase the premium-car bill.

73. Acura RLX

This sedan sits in the unusual zone where a luxury name can tempt buyers with a lower used price. The right question is whether the monthly ownership cost still works once a teen starts adding miles.

74. Genesis G90

A large luxury sedan may sound like overkill, but the used market can make it look more attainable than expected. Parents should treat it as a value exercise, not a status purchase, and still think hard about upkeep.

75. Kia K4

The new K4 shows how automakers are being pushed upward by tougher IIHS standards. It is the sort of lower-end 2026 model that helps families buy new only if the safety gain is worth the premium over used.

76. Mazda3

Mazda’s compact car stays on the short list because it blends safety tech with a manageable size. It is a strong new-car option for parents who want to skip the uncertainty of a used vehicle search.

77. Nissan Sentra

The Sentra remains a useful low-stress sedan for families who want a new car without drifting into expensive territory. New-car pricing still matters, but so does the comfort of buying something with current safety systems.

78. Hyundai Elantra

The Elantra is another small-car choice that shows the safety bar is no longer limited to premium trims. Families get an easier-to-handle car and avoid the temptation of oversized vehicle shopping.

79. Honda Civic

A new Civic is the kind of car many parents can justify because it is familiar, common, and easy to live with. It is also a useful answer to the insurance-versus-safety trade-off that hits first-time drivers hardest.

80. Toyota Prius

The Prius is a notable new pick because it combines efficiency with the kind of safety hardware parents expect. In middle-class terms, it is the rare new car that can still feel rational instead of indulgent.

81. Hyundai Sonata

A new Sonata keeps the size reasonable while still offering a current-model safety package. It is a reminder that the family sedan is not dead, especially when the bill has to stay under control.

82. Toyota Camry

The Camry’s new-car appeal is durability plus broad familiarity, which matters when a teen is going to rack up miles fast. For many households, it is the safest practical answer before a more expensive SUV ever makes sense.

83. Honda HR-V

The HR-V is the compact SUV sweet spot for parents who want a little height without a lot of mass. That balance is exactly what makes it more suitable for a novice than a large, harder-to-stop utility vehicle.

84. Kia Sportage

The Sportage gives families a modern crossover with enough room for daily life and enough restraint for a teen. It is an example of how a mainstream SUV can stay practical without drifting into excess.

85. Hyundai Kona

A small SUV like the Kona keeps visibility and parking ease on the teen’s side. It is one of the more realistic new-car choices when the household wants utility without overbuying size.

86. Mazda CX-30

The CX-30 continues to stand out because it feels more substantial than a tiny hatchback without becoming bulky. That middle ground is valuable for parents trying to buy the safest practical car on a middle-class budget.

87. Hyundai Tucson

The Tucson’s place on the new list reflects how far mainstream SUVs have come on crash protection. It is useful for families, but the list still says to stop well short of large SUVs.

88. Subaru Forester

The Forester is one of the most obvious family-first new choices because it avoids the size and handling penalties of bigger SUVs. For a teen, that can matter more than extra horsepower or styling tricks.

89. Honda Passport

Honda’s new Passport shows what it looks like when a bigger family vehicle still earns a safety recommendation. Even then, buyers should ask whether a teen truly needs this much vehicle, or whether a smaller option would be safer and cheaper.

90. Mazda CX-70 PHEV

This plug-in hybrid SUV sits higher on the ladder than the compact choices, which means families should check whether the added size is necessary. The list rewards safety, but it does not erase the cost of buying more vehicle than a teen needs.

91. Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe is the kind of family SUV that can serve a parent and teen over several years. That long-use value matters if the goal is to buy once and keep the car in the household.

92. Kia Sorento

A three-row-ready SUV can make sense for a busy family, but it is still more car than many teen drivers need. The safest practical choice is the one that fits the job, not the biggest one on the lot.

93. Nissan Murano

The Murano appears again in the new-car conversation because its safety credentials keep it in the mix across generations. The bigger lesson is that a family can often find the same nameplate in both used and new form, then choose the price point that fits.

94. Nissan Pathfinder

A larger SUV can be useful for households that truly need the seating and cargo room. Even so, the teen guide keeps reminding parents that larger does not automatically mean smarter for a new driver.

95. Subaru Ascent

The Ascent is a family hauler first, teen car second, which is exactly why the list treats larger vehicles carefully. It can fit the household, but it should not be the default answer when a smaller model does the job.

96. Honda Passport, Mazda CX-50, and the rest of the 2026 field

The new-car side of the list is where the pressure from tougher IIHS standards becomes visible, especially in rear-seat protection and crash-avoidance tech. That matters now, because summer driving ramps up through the 100 Deadliest Days between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when AAA says teen-involved deadly crashes rise.