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Are you looking to buy a safe and affordable used car for your teenage driver?  Wondering where to begin? 

There are two tiers of recommended vehicles, best choices and good choices. Prices range from about $2,000 to nearly $20,000, so parents can buy the most safety for their money, whatever their budget.  However, 83 percent of parents of teen drivers who bought a vehicle for their teenagers said they bought it used.

With that reality in mind, below is a list of affordable used vehicles that meet important safety criteria for teen drivers. There are two tiers of recommended vehicles, best choices and good choices. Prices range from about $2,000 to nearly $20,000, so parents can buy the most safety for their money, whatever their budget.

The recommendations kept the following in mind when making their choices:

• Young drivers should stay away from high horsepower. More powerful engines can tempt young drivers to test the limits.
• Bigger, heavier vehicles protect better in a crash
• Electronic stability control (ESC) is a must. This feature, which helps a driver maintain control of the vehicle on curves and slippery roads, reduces risk on a level comparable to safety belts. 
• Vehicles should have the best safety ratings possible, and remember to check for recalls!

Use the Vehicle Identification Number to check for outstanding recalls before buying a used vehicle. To receive future recall notices, notify the manufacturer of your purchase. NHTSA also advises vehicle owners to check its database for new recalls every six months or so.

Best Used Car Choices under $20,000

Note:  Vehicles with higher than average claim frequency under medical payment or personal injury protection coverage are excluded from this list, originally compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Best Midsize Cars:  Recommended for teenage drivers

• Volkswagen Passat: 2013 and newer; built after October 2012 – $6,600
• Volvo S60: 2011 and newer – $7,900
• Ford Fusion: 2013 and newer; built after December 2012 – $8,100
• Subaru Legacy: 2013 and newer; built after October 2012 – $8,300
• Honda Accord coupe: 2013 and newer – $8,900
• Volkswagen Jetta: 2015 and newer – $8,900
• Mazda 6: 2014 and newer – $9,000
• Honda Accord sedan: 2013 and newer – $9,400
• Subaru Outback: 2013 and newer; built after August 2012 – $10,300
• Acura TL: 2012-14; built after April 2012 – $10,700
• Lincoln MKZ: 2013 and newer – $11,900
• Toyota Prius v: 2015 and newer – $14,700
• Volvo V60: 2015 and newer – $14,800
• Audi A3: 2015 and newer – $15,000
• Acura TLX: 2015; 2017 and newer – $16,500
• BMW 2 series coupe: 2015 and newer – $18,600
• Infiniti Q50: 2014 and newer – $18,600

Best Large Cars:  Recommended for teenage drivers

• Volvo S80: 2007 and newer – $3,900
• Ford Taurus: 2013 and newer – $10,000
• Chevrolet Impala: 2015 and newer – $13,200
• Infiniti M37/Q70: 2013 and newer – $14,400
• Toyota Avalon: 2015 and newer – $17,500
• Acura RLX: 2014 and newer – $18,600
• Buick LaCrosse: 2017 and newer – $19,800

Best Small SUVs:  Recommended for teenage drivers

• Mazda CX-5: 2014 and newer; built after October 2013 – $10,700
• Fiat 500X: 2016 and newer; built after July 2015 – $11,300
• Nissan Rogue: 2014 and newer – $11,500
• Subaru Forester: 2014 and newer – $12,000
• Buick Encore: 2015 and newer – $12,300
• Honda CR-V: 2015 and newer – $13,500
• Ford Escape: 2017 and newer – $14,600
• Toyota RAV4: 2015 and newer; built after November 2014 – $14,800
• Hyundai Tucson: 2016 and newer – $15,100
• Mazda CX-3: 2016 and newer – $15,100
• Kia Sportage: 2017 and newer – $15,900

Best Midsize SUVs:  Recommended for teenage drivers

• Volvo XC90: 2005 and newer — $3,700
• Ford Flex: 2011 and newer – $8,700
• Chevrolet Equinox: 2014 and newer – $11,700
• GMC Terrain: 2014 and newer – $12,900
• Volvo XC60: 2013 and newer – $12,900
• Kia Sorento: 2016 and newer – $15,900
• Nissan Pathfinder: 2015 and newer – $16,300
• Nissan Murano: 2015 and newer – $17,200
• Ford Edge: 2016 and newer – $17,600
• Toyota Highlander: 2014 and newer – $17,600
• Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: 2017 and newer – $17,700
• Acura MDX: 2014 and newer – $19,600
• Hyundai Santa Fe: 2017 and newer; built after March 2016 – $19,800

Best Minivans:  Recommended for teenage drivers

• Honda Odyssey: 2014 and newer – $12,700
• Kia Sedona: 2015 and newer – $12,800
• Toyota Sienna: 2015 and newer – $17,500

Best Small Pickups:  Recommended for teenage drivers

• Toyota Tacoma Access cab: 2016 and newer – $18,100

Best Large Pickups:  Recommended for teenage drivers

• Toyota Tundra Double Cab: 2014 and newer – $19,000

GOOD used car choices under $10,000

Good Midsize Cars:  Recommended for teenage drivers

• Volkswagen Jetta sedan or wagon: 2009-14 – $3,800
• Volkswagen Passat sedan or wagon: 2009-12 – $4,300
• Volkswagen CC: 2009 and newer – $4,700
• Chevrolet Malibu: 2010 and newer; built after November 2009 – $4,900
• Ford Fusion: 2011-12 – $4,900
• Subaru Legacy: 2010-12 – $4,900
• Audi A3: 2008-13 – $5,000
• Volvo C30: 2008-13 – $5,100
• Hyundai Sonata: 2011 and newer – $5,400
• Audi A4 sedan or wagon: 2009 and newer – $6,100
• Kia Optima: 2011 and newer – $6,200
• Subaru Outback: 2010-12 – $6,200
• Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan: 2009 and newer – $6,900
• Honda Accord sedan: 2012 – $7,300
• Lincoln MKZ: 2011-12 – $7,700
• Buick Verano: 2012-15 – $8,000
• Toyota Camry: 2012 and newer – $8,600
• Nissan Altima sedan: 2013 and newer; built after November 2012 – $8,900
• Toyota Prius v: 2012-14 – $9,100
• BMW 3 series sedan: 2012 and newer – $9,900

Good Large Cars:  Recommended for teenage drivers

• Buick LaCrosse: 2010-16 – $6,200
• Ford Taurus: 2010-12 – $6,500
• Buick Regal: 2011-17 – $6,800
• Saab 9-5: 2010-11 – $7,100
• Lincoln MKS: 2009-16 – $7,400
• Cadillac CTS sedan: 2011 and newer – $8,300
• Hyundai Azera: 2012 and newer – $8,400
• Hyundai Genesis sedan: 2011 and newer – $8,600
• Dodge Charger: 2011 and newer – $8,800
• Chrysler 300: 2011 and newer – $8,900
• Toyota Avalon: 2011-14 – $9,300

Good Small SUVs:  Recommended for teenage drivers

• Honda Element: 2007-11 – $4,400
• Volkswagen Tiguan: 2009 and newer – $5,100
• Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: 2011 and newer – $5,600
• Subaru Forester: 2009-13 – $5,600
• Hyundai Tucson: 2010-15 – $5,900
• Kia Sportage: 2011-16 – $6,600
• Ford Escape: 2013-16 – $8,900
• Mitsubishi Outlander: 2014 and newer -$9,300
• Mazda CX-5: 2013 – $9,500
• Buick Encore: 2013-14 – $9,700
• Honda CR-V: 2012 and newer – $9,700

Good Midsize SUVs:  Recommended for teenage drivers

• Subaru Tribeca/B9 Tribeca: 2006-14 – $4,100
• Dodge Journey: 2010 and newer – $5,100
• Hyundai Santa Fe: 2011-16 – $6,500
• Chevrolet Equinox: 2011-13 – $7,100
• Toyota Venza: 2009-15 – $7,300
• Volvo XC60: 2010-12 – $7,400
• Infiniti EX: 2008-13 – $7,700
• Toyota Highlander: 2008-13 – $8,100
• GMC Terrain: 2011-13 – $8,200
• Kia Sorento: 2012-15 – $8,300
• Audi Q5: 2009 and newer – $9,700
• Ford Edge: 2012 and newer – $9,900
• Ford Explorer: 2011 and newer – $9,900

Good Large SUVs:  Recommended for teenage drivers

• Chevrolet Traverse: 2012-17 – $9,300

Good Minivans:  Recommended for teenage drivers

• Volkswagen Routan: 2012 – $6,400
• Dodge Grand Caravan: 2012 and newer – $7,400
• Honda Odyssey: 2011-13 – $8,100
• Chrysler Town & Country: 2012-16 – $8,600
• Toyota Sienna: 2011-14 – $9,000

Good Large Pickups:  Recommended for teenage drivers

• Toyota Tundra Double Cab: 2007-13 – $8,600

When to Contact an Accident & Injury Lawyer

Many accident victims who were injured by a negligent driver can have a lengthy and painful road to recovery with overwhelming medical expenses, loss of wages, and/or permanent disability.  If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, there are various laws that can help you or a deceased victim’s family receive compensation.  Please contact Palermo Law Group at (630)684-2332 to for a free consultation with nationally recognized personal injury lawyer, Mario Palermo, regarding the best approach to obtaining compensation for your injuries.