Best Cars for Teens in 2026

Discover the safest new and used vehicles for teens, plus the features parents would be wise to insist on before buying.

Josh Jacquot | 

Aug 18, 2026 | 12 min read

Toyota

The best cars for teens may not be the quickest or most exciting models; they are new or used vehicles that provide strong crash protection, predictable handling, and technology designed to help prevent collisions. 

Because, as any parent knows, safety is first and foremost. Handing over the keys to a newly licensed driver can be one of the biggest and most stressful milestones.

The safest vehicles for teens provide a balance of crash protection and manageable size. And, best cars for teens provide reasonable fuel economy and practical ownership costs. These generally include midsize sedans and compact or midsize crossovers.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recommends that families shopping for a teen driver prioritize vehicles with strong safety ratings and advanced driver-assistance systems. The organization suggests avoiding small vehicles with limited crash protection and high-horsepower vehicles that can encourage risky driving. 

Teen drivers typically face a higher crash risk because they have less experience recognizing hazards, judging traffic situations, and responding to emergencies.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death for teenagers, making vehicle selection an important part of a broader teen-driving safety strategy. NHTSA reports that a total of 2,320 people died in crashes involving a teen driver ages 15 to 18 years old in 2024.

Read on for the list of best cars and SUVs for teens. Skip ahead using the links below.

• Methodology for best cars and suvs for teens in 2026
• Top safety features for new and inexperienced drivers
• At a glance: Ideal vehicle categories for teens compared
• Best new cars and SUVs for teens in 2026
• Best used cars and SUVs for teens in 2026
• Important info for parents when evaluating potential vehicles for teens
• Prioritizing protection over style

Methodology for Best Cars and SUVs for Teens in 2026

Most parents consider safety as the No. 1 consideration when choosing a car for their teenager. Every new vehicle listed has earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ designation and a four- or five-star rollover-resistance rating from NHTSA. Used vehicles meet those standards for the years specified. 

Deciding between a new and used vehicle for your teen is a personal choice. New vehicles will offer more guarantees for reliability, while used may help keep teen car insurance rates down. The following vehicles represent strong choices for teens because they combine good crash-test performance with practical ownership costs and recognized safety credentials.

Renee Valdes

Top Safety Features for New and Inexperienced Drivers

Today's driver-assistance systems cannot replace an attentive driver, but they can serve as valuable backup while teenagers gain experience behind the wheel.  While there are many safety features available in new and used vehicles, I think these five features are worth it in a new or used vehicle for a teenager. 

Automatic Emergency Braking With Forward Collision-Warning

Automatic emergency braking (AEB) uses cameras, radar, or both to monitor traffic ahead. If the system detects an imminent collision and the driver fails to respond, it can automatically apply the brakes to reduce the impact or avoid a collision. Forward-collision warning alerts the driver before automatic braking becomes necessary. Research from the IIHS shows that front-crash prevention systems reduce rear-end crashes and related injuries. 

Active Lane-Keeping Assist and Lane-Departure Warning

Lane-departure warning monitors lane markings and alerts the driver if the vehicle moves out of the lane without signaling. Lane-keeping assist builds on that technology by providing gentle steering input to help guide the vehicle back toward the center of the lane. These systems can reduce crashes caused by distraction or fatigue, although they are designed to supplement, not replace, attentive driving. 

Blind-Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

New drivers are still developing the habit of checking mirrors and scanning surrounding traffic. Blind-spot monitoring warns when another vehicle occupies an adjacent lane in a location that may not be visible in the mirrors. Rear cross-traffic alert helps detect approaching vehicles when you're reversing out of parking spaces or driveways. Some vehicles also offer rear automatic braking, which can stop the vehicle if an obstacle is detected behind it.

Teen Driver Monitoring Technology and Built-In Speed Limiters

Besides apps like Life360 that can monitor things like location and speed, several auto manufacturers offer monitoring features that encourage safer driving habits. These systems, like Ford MyKey and Chevy Teen Driver mode, can often set speed limit alerts, limit maximum audio volume, generate driving report cards, and mute the audio system until the front-seat occupants buckle their seat belts.

Tactile, Minimal-Distraction Infotainment Layouts

Technology should reduce distraction rather than create it. While large touchscreens have become common, vehicles with intuitive interfaces and frequently used physical controls may allow drivers to keep their eyes on the road longer.

Consider These Other Helpful Features for Teens:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• AI assistants in the car like Google Built-in and Alexa Built-In
• Auto on and off headlights
• Automatic high beams
• Head-up display
• Hill-start assist

Toyota

At a Glance: Ideal Vehicle Categories for Teens Compared

Best New Cars and SUVs for Teens for 2026

Honda

2026 Honda Accord

The 2026 Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with excellent crash-test performance, predictable handling, ample standard advanced driver-assistance technology, and highly rated reliability. It consistently earns high marks from reviewers while remaining comfortable and easy to drive. Stick with the lower-output, lower-cost non-hybrid Honda Accord model.

Honda

2026 Honda HR-V

The 2026 Honda HR-V combines practical cargo space, standard Honda Sensing safety technology, and front- or all-wheel drive (AWD). Its small size should make it easy for new drivers to maneuver while providing substantial occupant protection. The Honda HR-V’s modest power output is well matched with teen drivers.

Hyundai

2026 Hyundai Tucson

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson isn't fancy or extravagant, but it has it where it counts: safety, affordability, and the assurance of an excellent warranty. It offers AWD, and its interior has more space than many rivals. I recommend the 2.5-liter gas-powered Hyundai Tucson model rather than the hybrid.

Mazda

2026 Mazda CX-50

You'll want to stick with the base 2026 Mazda CX-50 four-cylinder engine. It makes 187 horsepower, rather than the available turbo four-cylinder engine if you choose the CX-50. But this small SUV comes standard with AWD and is one of the best-handling small SUVs sold today, according to more than one expert.

Subaru

2026 Subaru Forester

The 2026 Subaru Forester combines good outward visibility and standard EyeSight driver-assistance technology. AWD and 8.7 inches of ground clearance are standard. The Forester is one of the most practical crossovers for new drivers.

Toyota

2026 Toyota Camry

A standard hybrid powertrain, roomy interior, and available AWD make the 2026 Toyota Camry a solid car for new drivers. Its standout feature is excellent fuel economy, which tops out at 51 mpg combined in the most efficient model. Perhaps most importantly, the 2026 Toyota Camry comes standard with a robust suite of driver-assistance and safety technologies.

Best Used Cars for Teens in 2026

2020 Chevrolet Equinox

The IIHS awarded the 2020 Chevy Equinox a Top Safety Pick and NHTSA gave it a 5-star rating. A used 2020 Equinox makes a great SUV choice because of its lengthy list of advanced safety and infotainment technology. In 2020, Chevy made the following safety features standard: automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The 2020 Equinox gets up to 28 mpg in EPA combined highway and city fuel economy.

Honda

2019-2022 Honda Accord

These used Honda Accord models earned IIHS Top Safety Pick (2019, 2020) and Top Safety Pick+ Awards (2021, 2022) while providing standard safety and driver-assistance technology. Two turbocharged four-cylinder engines provide adequate (but still modest) power while maintaining strong fuel economy. The Honda Accord 1.5-liter version has less power, better fuel economy, and a lower cost of entry.

Christian Wardlaw

2020-2022 Hyundai Sonata

The Hyundai Sonata offers an appealing combination of comfort, value, and safety for a first-time driver. Fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines deliver all the power a new driver needs without tempting them into aggressive driving. The Hyundai Sonata 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder, rated at 185 horsepower, gets up to 29 mpg in combined city and highway driving.

Christian Wardlaw

2020-2022 Mazda Mazda3

Mazda's small car is available in both hatchback and sedan bodies and with AWD, allowing it to score well in many critical areas for teen drivers. Plus, the Mazda3 feels nicer inside than many cars in its class, and its naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine delivers smooth, manageable power that's appropriate for a new driver. Many standard and available safety and driver-assistance technologies could make a used Mazda3 a smart choice for safety-conscious families.

Subaru

2020-2022 Subaru Legacy

Subaru's AWD system lies at the heart of the Legacy, making it a good choice for a teen driver who is regularly contending with inclement weather. The midsize sedan offers a comfortable ride, generous space, and straightforward controls. Subaru's EyeSight suite of safety tech, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-centering assistance, is available on most models. The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter Legacy model has all the safety gear and only modest power.

Toyota

2019-2022 Toyota RAV4

A used Toyota RAV4 combines compact SUV practicality with a reputation for long-term reliability and excellent resale value. Its upright seating position provides good visibility, while the roomy cabin and generous cargo area make the RAV4 useful for everything from school activities to weekend road trips. Available AWD can improve poor-weather driving confidence, and Toyota Safety Sense assistance technologies help support safe driving. 

Important Info for Parents When Evaluating Potential Vehicles

Be Cautious With High-Horsepower Engines

Teen drivers already face elevated crash risks because they typically lack experience recognizing hazards and responding to unexpected situations. Adding a high-performance engine can increase the temptation to drive aggressively. The IIHS recommends avoiding sports cars and performance models when shopping for a first vehicle. 

Go Bigger Than the Smallest Minicars

Fuel economy is important, but occupant protection matters more. IIHS advises parents to avoid minicars and the smallest subcompact vehicles because they generally provide less crash protection than larger vehicles in collisions. More structural space allows engineers to better manage crash energy before it reaches occupants. 

Check the Weight and Safety Scores

Before buying any vehicle, look up its curb weight and crash-test performance. A vehicle weighing at least 2,750 pounds offers more crash protection than the lightest vehicles on the road, according to the IIHS. NHTSA's five-star safety ratings and IIHS crash evaluations provide independent measures of occupant protection. Parents should review both organizations' ratings whenever possible.

Review the Complete Vehicle History

When purchasing a used car, obtain a comprehensive vehicle history report and verify that all recall repairs have been completed. Check for prior structural damage, airbag deployments, flood damage, salvage titles, or other issues that could compromise crash protection. NHTSA maintains a searchable recall database that allows buyers to check for open recalls using the vehicle identification number (VIN).

Prioritizing Protection Over Style

Most teenagers want exciting cars. But a first car should be a platform for learning. The safest first vehicle is the one that helps prevent crashes, protects occupants when crashes occur, and encourages responsible driving habits rather than aggressive driving.

A midsize sedan or compact crossover equipped with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and strong crash-test ratings is likely to provide significantly more long-term value than a sports coupe or ultra-small commuter car. Combined with moderate horsepower, good visibility, and predictable handling, these characteristics create a vehicle that supports skill development instead of rewarding risky decisions. 

Before visiting dealerships or browsing used-car listings, parents and teens should build a shared shopping checklist. Compare IIHS Top Safety Pick status, NHTSA crash-test ratings, curb weights, safety technologies, vehicle history, and reliability before discussing styling or entertainment features. Choosing a first car based on proven safety features rather than appearance can help reduce risk during the years when new drivers need protection most.

Frequently asked questions

Why is safety the most important factor when choosing a car for a teen?

An IIHS report shows that car crashes lead the way in cause of deaths for 15- to 18-year-olds, and per mile traveled. Additionally, it shows that teen drivers crash about four times as often as drivers 20 and older. As a result, crash-test ratings and advanced safety features are the top priority when choosing the best vehicle for a new driver.

What types of vehicles should teen drivers avoid?

Teens should avoid high-horsepower sports cars that may tempt inexperienced drivers to exceed their driving skill level. Additionally, minicars should be avoided because they offer less crash protection against larger vehicles on the road. For new drivers, large SUVs and full-size pickup trucks may be difficult for new drivers to maneuver and park safely.

Do I need to buy a new car to get good safety features for my teen?

No, it’s possible to find a used vehicle as many boast strong IIHS and NHTSA ratings and include essential driver-assist technology.

Are there ways to lower insurance costs for a teen driver?

Yes, many insurers offer discounts for students with good grades and some provide reductions for completing an approved defensive driving safety course. Also, programs like Ford Driving Skills for Life and AAA's online teen course can help sharpen skills for inexperienced drivers behind the wheel.

Josh Jacquot

Josh Jacquot has covered cars from every angle. Over the course of his nearly 30-year career, he has conducted instrumented testing on thousands of vehicles and provided clear, data-driven insight for enthusiast and mainstream audiences alike. His work has appeared in leading outlets including Car and Driver, Motor Trend, and Edmunds. Known for blending driving rigor with clever analysis of real-world usability, he loves nothing more than a long powerslide in a car with usable cupholders. Equally comfortable discussing chassis dynamics and ownership costs, Josh brings credibility earned through decades of hands-on experience. But he‘s most excited by the emotional connection that only the right car can deliver.