The Best Budget-Friendly Cars for New Drivers

So, your teen has passed his or her driver’s test. It involved a lot of studying on his part, guidance on your part, and practice time from both of you. It’s a natural law that once a teen gets his license, he will want to drive a car of his own. Frankly, meeting his own increasing transportation needs makes things easier for everyone.  

Unless you have a vehicle ready for him, you will need to purchase one, and at this point, opinions can clash. The teen may want something fast, stylish, or whatever he considers “cool.” You, on the other hand, prioritize another word that counts above all else: “safety.” Within safety are subcategories such as crash protection, crash assistance, and reliability, to ensure a teen isn’t stranded and vulnerable on the side of the road.  

The other factor that looms over everything is affordability. While there are always exceptions, chances are you will have a hand in paying for this vehicle, meaning safety often takes precedence over “cool.” “Affordability” and “new car” are contradictory terms these days, which is where Alderman Automotive comes into the picture with over a hundred used vehicles. About half of those vehicles are under $25K and about half of those under $15K. 

There are numerous numerical reasons to prioritize safety. Although teenagers drive less than any other age group (except for those over 80), they account for a disproportionate number of highway accidents and, unfortunately, fatalities. Here are a few specific statistics: 

• According to the United States Department of Transportation, teen car crashes are the leading cause of death for 15- to 18-year-olds in the U.S. 

• Based on 2022 Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) data, 2,883 teens aged 16-19 were killed in car crashes. About 56% of them were with a teenage driver at the wheel. 

• Also from IIHS, teen drivers crash about four times as often as drivers 20-and-older per mile driven. 

Teens differ in intelligence, responsibility, and peer influences, but one thing they all share is lack of experience. No matter how much practice they had before taking their drivers’ tests, they will still face situations on their own that are new to them. Most of the time, they will figure out the right thing to do, but the statistics show that it is far from all the time.  

Insurance rates reflect this. In all states except Hawaii, insurance rates soar for teens. It can be 150% higher than for other drivers, and males cost more than females. This is all based on what insurers know they have to pay out for teen drivers.  

How Old Can You Go 

With safety as the top priority, ensure that your teen’s vehicle is equipped with the “big three” safety features: antilock brakes (ABS), traction control, and stability control. All vehicles from 2013-and-newer will be equipped with these three essential features as mandated by federal regulations. While several models had them before 2013, you will need to check each model for these features. Additionally, rear cameras have been required on all models since 2018, although many earlier models included this feature. Other non-mandatory but desirable safety features found on several vehicles manufactured in the past decade include: 

• Automatic emergency braking slows down or stops a car on its own. Starting in September 2029, this will be required for all new cars. 

• Blind-spot monitoring utilizes sensors, and sometimes cameras, to detect vehicles in adjacent lanes that may not be visible in your side mirrors. A visual warning on the side mirrors, A-pillar, or other areas will illuminate. 

• Forward collision warning with front automatic emergency braking is a system that uses sensors to monitor what is in front of your car, along with your car’s speed. If it determines that a crash might be imminent, it sounds an alert. If you do not respond, the system can automatically apply the brakes. 

• Lane departure warning, or lane keeping assist, alerts drivers when they shift out of a lane. 

• Road Sign Recognition identifies several specific road signs, including speed limits, stop and yield signs, as well as detour signs, and displays an image of them on an interior digital screen. 

Does Size Matter? 

In a word, yes. In a crash between a large vehicle and a smaller one, the smaller vehicle usually suffers the most. On the other hand, very large vehicles can create visibility issues, be much slower to react in an emergency, and be prone to rollover risks if they are tall. They can also be difficult to park, leading to financial issues rather than safety risks. Additionally, they cost more to operate. Therefore, you want to consider vehicles that are neither too small nor too big. Compact and midsize sedans and crossovers generally hit the sweet spot.   

A Handy Cheat Sheet 

In May, IIHS and Consumer Reports collaborated to produce a list of vehicles they consider to be the best used vehicle options for teens. IIHS examines safety, while Consumer Reports (CR) evaluates reliability and other driving test factors. They categorized their used options into Best and Good. All pricing is sourced from Kelley Blue Book, which is based on national averages and rounded to the nearest hundred. In both cases, all models had to: 

• Weigh over 2,750 pounds 

• Earn a “Good” (the best rating) on these IIHS impact tests: 

• Original moderate overlap front 

• Driver-side small overlap front 

• Side, roof strength, and head restraint tests  

• They also have average or above scores from CR for braking, as well as for emergency and routine handling (scoring at least 3 out of 5). Additionally, CR usability scores for controls and displays must be at least 2 out of 5. Headlights are required to earn a Good or Acceptable rating. 

Best Used Car Choices for Teens

Models are listed by price within each category. 

Small cars

Model years Price 

• Toyota Corolla sedan 2017-19; 2023 or newer $9,500 
• Honda Insight 2019-22 $11,600 
• Mazda 3 hatchback 2019 or newer $12,100 
• Toyota Prius 2017 or newer (built after Aug. 2016) $12,600 
• Mazda 3 sedan 2020 or newer $13,000 
• Toyota Prius Prime 2017 or newer $16,200 
• Honda Civic hatchback 2022 or newer $19,200 
• Honda Civic sedan 2022 or newer $19,200 
• Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid 2019 $19,300 

Midsize cars Model years Price 

• Toyota Camry 2018 or newer $13,100 
• Mazda 6 2019-21 (built after June 2019) $14,000 
• Subaru Legacy 2020 or newer $15,700 
• Nissan Maxima 2020 or newer $16,900 
• Kia K5 2021 or newer (built after Nov. 2020) $17,000 
• Lexus IS 2017 or newer ( built after June 2017) $17,000 
• Subaru Outback 2020; (built after October 2019) $17,400 
• Volvo S60 2021-22 $17,500 
• Hyundai Sonata 2023 or newer (built after Dec. 2022) $18,100 
• Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2019 or newer, except 2021 models built
  before February 2021 $19,100 
• Honda Accord 2021 or newer $19,800 

Large cars Model years Price 

• Genesis G80 2017-20 $12,200 
• Genesis G90 2017-22 $12,400 
• Acura RLX 2018-20 $16,700 

Small SUVs Model years Price 

• BMW X2 2019 or newer $12,200 
• Mazda CX-3 2020-21 $12,900 
• Subaru Forester 2019 or newer $13,000 
• Mazda CX-5 2020 or newer $15,400 
• Chevrolet Trailblazer 2021 or newer $17,300 
• Ford Bronco Sport 2021 or newer $17,500 
• Nissan Rogue 2021 or newer $17,500 
• Hyundai Tucson 2022 or newer $17,600 
• Mazda CX-30 2022 or newer $18,000 
• Kia EV6 2022 or newer (built after August 2022) $19,800 
• Mitsubishi Outlander 2022 or newer ( built after June 2021) $19,800 
• Toyota Corolla Cross 2022 or newer $19,800 

Midsize SUVs Model years Price 

• Acura MDX 2017-20 $13,100 
• Volvo XC90 2018 or newer (built after March 2018) $14,600 
• Lexus NX 2018 or newer $14,900 
• Honda Pilot 2019 or newer $16,000 
• Ford Explorer 2020 or newer (built after May 2020) $16,600 
• Volkswagen Tiguan 2022 or newer $16,600 
• Toyota Highlander 2017 or newer $17,000 
• Honda Passport 2019-21; (built after June 2019) $18,100 
• Nissan Murano 2021 or newer $18,400 
• Mazda CX-9 2021 or newer $18,500 
• Audi Q4 e-tron 2022 or newer $18,600 
• Acura RDX 2019 or newer $19,400 
• Subaru Ascent 2021 or newer $19,900 

Good Used Car Choices for Teens 

Small cars Model years Price 

• Nissan Sentra 2015 or newer $4,400 
• Mini Countryman 2011 or newer $4,600 
• Mazda 3 sedan 2014-19; (built after October 2013) $5,000 
• Kia Soul 2015 or newer $5,100 
• Mazda 3 hatchback 2014-19; (built after October 2013) $5,400 
• Subaru Impreza wagon 2014 or newer $5,700 
• Subaru Impreza sedan 2014 or newer $5,800 
• Volkswagen Golf 2015-21 $6,300 
• Kia Niro Hybrid 2017-22 $6,600 
• Honda Civic sedan 2014-21 $6,800 
• Volkswagen
  Golf SportWagen 2015-19 $6,900 
• Subaru Crosstrek 2014 or newer $7,300 
• Honda Civic coupe 2014-21 $7,900 
• Volkswagen Golf Alltrack 2017-19 $8,000 
• Chevrolet Volt 2016-19 $9,500 
• Chevrolet Bolt 2017-21 $9,800 
• Acura ILX 2016-22 $10,000 

Midsize cars Model years Price 

• Volvo S60 2012-20 $4,900 
• Volkswagen Jetta 2015 or newer $5,300 
• Hyundai Sonata 2016-22; (built after Oct. 2015) $5,900 
• Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2015-18 $6,500 
• Chrysler 200 2015-17 $6,700 
• Volkswagen Passat 2016-22 $7,100 
• Subaru Legacy 2015-19 $7,200 
• Mazda 6 2016-18 $7,300 
• Volvo V60 2015-20 $7,300 
• Acura TL 2012-14; (built after April 2012) $7,500 
• Audi A3 2015 or newer $7,500 
• Ford Fusion 2017-19 $7,500 
• Subaru Outback 2015-19 $7,600 
• Honda Accord sedan 2013-20 $8,200 
• BMW 2 series 2014-21 $8,400 
• Nissan Maxima 2016-19 $8,600 
• Toyota Camry 2015-17 $8,800 
• Lincoln MKZ 2017-19 $8,900 
• Honda Accord coupe 2015-17 $9,200 
• Toyota Prius v 2015-17 $9,300 

Large cars Model years Price 

• Volvo S80 2012; 2015-16 $4,800 
• Hyundai Genesis 2015-16 $8,400 
• Kia Cadenza 2017-20 $8,500 
• Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2014-19; (built after Jan. 2014) $8,800 
• Audi A6 2016 or newer (built after Jan. 2015) $9,300 

Small SUVs Model years Price 

• Buick Encore 2015-22 $5,100 
• Fiat 500X 2016-18; (built after July 2015) $5,300 
• Nissan Rogue 2014-20 $5,300 
• Subaru Forester 2014-18 $6,000 
• Mitsubishi Outlander 2014-21 $6,100 
• Jeep Compass 2017 or newer (built after Dec. 2016) $6,700 
• Mazda CX-3 2016-19 $6,800 
• Mazda CX-5 2014-19; (built after October 2013) $7,200 
• Hyundai Tucson 2016-21 $7,700 
• Kia Sportage 2017 or newer $7,700 
• BMW X1 2016 or newer $8,900 
• Audi Q3 2015 or newer $9,100 
• Hyundai Kona 2018 or newer $9,600 
• Honda CR-V 2015 or newer $9,800 

Midsize SUVs Model years Price 

• GMC Terrain 2014 or newer $5,200 
• Volvo XC60 2013-21 $5,200 
• Chevrolet Equinox 2014 or newer $5,300 
• Volvo XC90 2013-17 $6,000 
• Nissan Murano 2015-20 $7,100 
• Kia Sorento 2016 or newer $7,500 
• Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2017-18 $8,300 
• Chevrolet Traverse 2018 or newer $8,500 
• Hyundai Santa Fe 2017 or newer (built after March 2016) $8,500 
• Audi Q5 2015 or newer (built after Jan. 2015) $8,700 
• Lincoln MKX 2016-18 $9,200 
• Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2014-15; (built after Aug. 2013) $9,200 
• Acura MDX 2014-16 $9,300 
• Volkswagen Tiguan 2018-21 $9,700 
• Mazda CX-9 2017-20; (built after Nov. 2016) $9,800 
• Minivans Model years Price 
• Kia Sedona 2015-21 $5,400 
• Honda Odyssey 2014 or newer $7,300
• Chrysler Pacifica 2017 or newer (built after Aug. 2016) $9,100 

If you’re shopping for a vehicle for a teen, Alderman Automotive is the perfect place to start. Our inventory search tool makes it easy to find models from our inventory by using filters for price, year, model, and make. You can also dive deeper to check mileage, trim, transmission, and other vehicle characteristics.