These Are the Safest Used Cars for Teens, IIHS Says
Teen drivers are four times more likely to crash, but safe, reliable, and affordable used models are out there.
Sending a new driver out on the road can be nerve-wracking, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is here to help. Releasing its annual list of affordable, safe vehicles for teens has gotten harder in recent years as a result of rising prices, the Institute says, but there are a few criteria that it refuses to compromise on. And topping the list is a lower horsepower figure and a medium size, as these attributes will minimize the potential for serious injury.
Specific technical safety systems also help these vehicles stand out, as all IIHS recommendations feature standard electronic stability control, good ratings in four or more IIHS crash tests (original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraints), and a certified dry braking distance of less than 145 feet from 60 mph. Those are some extremely particular criteria, but also ones that will help keep your teen driver safe on slippery surfaces, during emergency stops, and in a potential crash. After all, teenagers are nearly four times more likely to crash than older drivers, according to the IIHS.
But not everyone can afford a new car these days, and the merits of equipping a newly licensed driver with a brand-new car are up for debate as well. Sometimes a used car is even better, as it can teach new drivers the importance of maintenance and potentially improve driver focus as well. Either way, the IIHS is committed to recommending used cars ranging from $6600 up to $20,000 for teens, with over a dozen cars to choose from in total.
A New York transplant hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Emmet White has a passion for anything that goes: cars, bicycles, planes, and motorcycles. After learning to ride at 17, Emmet worked in the motorcycle industry before joining Autoweek in 2022. The woes of alternate side parking have kept his fleet moderate, with a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta GLI and a 2003 Honda Nighthawk 750 street parked in his South Brooklyn community.
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