For parents who choose to help their teen with the car search financially, it can be difficult to find a safe and reliable car that falls within budget, especially in the current used car market. To help parents find peace of mind, iSeeCars determined the best cars for teens across multiple vehicle categories.
All models cost $25,000 or less and achieve a score of 8.5 or above out of 10 based on iSeeCars own methodology. The safety ratings are taken from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
All of the cars below come standard with at least basic safety features such as electronic stability control and frontal airbags in all trim levels. Many of the cars on this list have more advanced safety systems, although not all model grades do. Every type also has a combined fuel efficiency of greater than 20 miles per gallon (11,8 Litres per 100 kilometers) to help minimize the amount of money new drivers will need to spend on gas.
The best cars for teens for under $25,000 by vehicle category:
| Vehicle Category | Vehicle | Safety and Reliability Score | Average Used Car Price (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Small Car | 2017 Honda Civic (Coupe) | 9.6 | $22,785 |
| Best Luxury Small Car | 2017 Volvo S60 | 9.4 | $23,135 |
| Best Midsize Car | 2017 Honda Accord | 9.5 | $24,252 |
| Best Luxury Midsize Car | 2015 Lexus ES 350 | 9.5 | $24,252 |
| Best Large Car | 2015 Toyota Avalon | 9.9 | $21,017 |
| Best Luxury Large Car | 2015 Acura RLX | 8.9 | $22,682 |
| Best Small SUV | 2017 Subaru Outback | 9.2 | $24,894 |
| Best Midsize SUV | 2015 Honda Pilot | 9.3 | $21,060 |
| Best Luxury Midsize SUV | 2015 Acura MDX | 9.0 | $23,924 |
| Best Minivan | 2015 Honda Odyssey | 8.7 | $21,889 |
| Best Wagon | 2019 Subaru Impreza | 8.5 | $23,784 |
| Best Luxury Wagon | 2015 Volvo V60 | 8.8 | $18,252 |
| Best Hybrid Car | 2017 Toyota Prius | 8.8 | $24,967 |
| Best Luxury Hybrid Car | 2015 Lexus ES 300h | 9.3 | $24,052 |
Source: iSeeCars