The Safest Cars for Teens and New Drivers

Safety is always a consideration when buying a new car, but it’s especially important when it comes to teens and new drivers. For drivers without much experience behind the wheel, safety features are key to helping prevent and protect against crashes.

When picking the safest cars for teens, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Consumer Reports consider a number of important factors before making their recommendations. For starters, only vehicles with a curb weight greater than 2,750 pounds are listed. Every car must pass extensive safety tests and evaluations with flying colors, and receive strong marks from Consumer Reports for braking, handling and reliability. Additionally, vehicles must have a minimum rating of four or five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Best Choice vehicles are also equipped with standard automatic emergency braking systems.

We chose our safest cars for teens and new drivers from among the top picks. There are no subcompact vehicles, as larger, heavier cars provide a greater level of protection during a crash. No sports cars or high-horsepower vehicles are included either; such cars may encourage young drivers to speed, which contributes to roughly one-third of all traffic fatalities.

Safest Cars for Teens and New Drivers: Used

2017-2019 Toyota Corolla

Starting in 2017, the Corolla’s front-end structure was tweaked and the frame around the driver door was strengthened to improve protection in small overlap frontal crashes. Both the sedan and hatchback received high safety ratings based on advanced safety features. The 2017 Corolla received an overall safety rating of five out of five stars from the NHTSA, earning a five-star rating in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests. Starts at about $10,600.

2018 or newer Toyota Camry

The midsize four-door sedan was a top safety pick in 2018. The model features a larger cabin and improved steering and handling than earlier versions. The car comes with an assortment of safety features, including the Toyota Safety Sense, so all 2018 Camry models have traffic-adapting cruise control, automatic emergency braking to prevent a potential forward collision, lane departure warning and mitigation and auto-dimming LED headlights. Starts at about $9,600.

2017 Toyota Avalon

A large four-door sedan, the 2017 Avalon model with updated headlights was a top safety pick for 2017. This roomy, comfortable car includes Toyota’s Safety Sense package with adaptive cruise control, a lane departure warning and intervention system, forward collision warning, automatic pre-collision braking and automatic high-beam headlight control. Starts at about $14,400.

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Safest Cars for Teens and New Drivers: New

2024 Subaru Impreza

A charming small four-door hatchback, like all Subarus, the Impreza comes with all-wheel drive, a big plus in winter weather. The cabin is roomy and comfortable, and the cargo area spacious. Safety features include standard lane departure warning, front crash prevention and pedestrian warnings, as well as a rearview camera and dusk-sensing headlamps. Prices start at $23,400.

2024 Subaru Outback

A mid-size, four-door wagon, the Outback combines “a station wagon’s practicality, comfort, easy-driving character and fantastic outward visibility with the ground clearance, ride compliance and all-weather sure-footedness of an SUV,” according to Edmunds. The Outback, of course, comes with all-wheel-drive and standard lane departure warning, front crash prevention and pedestrian warnings, among other features. Prices start at $28,895.

2024 Mazda CX-30

Another all-wheel-drive vehicle, this small four-door SUV comes with a six-speed automatic transmission and is a pleasure to drive. The Mazda CX-30’s well-appointed interior and leather upholstery give it a touch of luxury. Among the safety features are lane-keeping assistance with warnings for lane departures, adaptive cruise control and self-operating emergency braking. Prices start at $24,995.

Need a new car for your teen driver? Let AAA help finance the purchase with a low-interest auto loan.

AAA Northeast is not affiliated with or sponsored by the car manufacturers discussed in this article. The article reflects our own independent analysis.