The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is applying more stringent criteria to its list of recommended used vehicles for teens, as recent safety improvements have percolated down to lower-cost used cars, SUVs, minivans and pickups.
Teenagers are among the riskiest drivers, but they often end up with inexpensive vehicles that don’t offer adequate protection in a crash. To help families find safer vehicles that fit within their budgets, IIHS began publishing a list of recommended used vehicles for teens in 2014.
The latest update can be found below, includes 49 “best choices,” starting under $20,000, and 82 “good choices,” starting under $10,000.
For the first time this year, small overlap front crash protection has been factored in for the best choices section of the list. And the bar has been raised for the less expensive good choices as well, with better side and head restraint ratings required.
“Just as we are always updating the criteria for our awards for new vehicles, Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+, we can now point used vehicle buyers toward even safer models than before,” says David Zuby, IIHS executive vice president and chief research officer. “Good crash protection is more affordable than ever, so there’s no need to skimp on safety when it comes to a vehicle for a young driver.”
Prices for listed vehicles are provided by Kelley Blue Book, based on estimates for a private-party purchase near the Institute’s Arlington, Va., headquarters.
“Choosing a safe vehicle for your teen is of paramount importance, and settling on a vehicle your family can afford is also very important,” says Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book. “Kelley Blue Book provides you with updated vehicle prices and values that are unique to your area, so KBB.com is a great site to visit as you finalize your buying decision.”
Both lists follow a few basic principles, which should always be taken into account when shopping for a vehicle for a teenager:
- High horsepower and young drivers don’t mix. Teens may be tempted to test the limits of a powerful engine. Vehicles that come only with powerful engines have been left off the lists, but some recommended models have high-horsepower versions. Stick with the base engine.
- Bigger, heavier vehicles are safer. There are no minicars or small cars on the lists. Small SUVs are OK; they weigh about the same as a midsize car.
- Electronic stability control is an essential feature. This technology, which cuts single-vehicle fatal crash risk nearly in half, has been required on new vehicles since the 2012 model year. It helps a driver maintain control on curves and slippery roads. All listed vehicles have the feature standard.
Beyond those basics, parents should seek out a vehicle with the highest crash test ratings they can afford.
Models on this year’s good choices list earn good ratings in the Institute’s moderate overlap front, side and head restraint tests. Vehicles on the best choices list must also have a good rating for roof strength to protect in rollover crashes and a good or acceptable rating in the small overlap test, which replicates what happens when the front, driver-side corner of a vehicle strikes another vehicle or an object such as a tree or utility pole.
If rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vehicles on either list must earn 4 or 5 stars overall or 4 or 5 stars in the front and side tests under NHTSA’s old rating scheme, which was used through the 2010 model year.
Before purchasing a used vehicle, it’s critical to check for outstanding recalls. You can enter the Vehicle Identification Number at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It’s also a good idea to notify the manufacturer once you purchase the vehicle, so the company can make sure you receive future recall notices.
Consumers should keep in mind that the ongoing recall of Takata airbags affects a large number of vehicles. Since the risk of airbag malfunction increases over time and also depends on the climate where the vehicle is kept for most of the year, not all affected vehicles have been recalled yet. NHTSA recommends checking its recall page every six months or so.
In recent years, front crash prevention has been part of the criteria for IIHS safety awards for new vehicles. Although such systems are likely to be valuable for inexperienced drivers, they are usually available only as optional equipment, making it difficult to locate a used vehicle that has the feature. The same goes for good- or acceptable-rated headlights. IIHS began headlight ratings last year, but many vehicles have multiple headlight systems with varying ratings.
Parents of children who are still years away from driving should plan ahead if they want their future driver to benefit from front crash prevention and good-rated headlights. If possible, when buying the next family vehicle, choose an IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ with at least 4 or 5 stars from NHTSA, and consider handing it down to your teenager when the time comes.
Choosing the best vehicle for your teen
IIHS is known for its ratings of new vehicles, but for many families, a brand new Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ isn’t in the budget for a teen’s vehicle. In a national phone survey conducted for IIHS of parents of teen drivers, 83 percent of those who bought a vehicle for their teenagers said they bought it used (see background research).
With that reality in mind, the Institute regularly publishes 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.
Defining safety
The recommendations are guided by four main principles:
- Young drivers should stay away from high horsepower. More powerful engines can tempt them to test the limits.
- Bigger, heavier vehicles are safer. They protect better in a crash, and HLDI analyses of insurance data show that teen drivers are less likely to crash them in the first place. There are no minicars or small cars on the recommended list. Small SUVs are included because their weight is similar to that of a midsize car.
- 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. At a minimum, that means good ratings in the IIHS moderate overlap front, side and head restraint tests and four or five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
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.
For more information, see “Smart picks for new drivers: IIHS updates criteria for recommended used vehicles” (April 2017).
Best choices: recommended used vehicles for teens starting under $20,000
Vehicles on this list earn good ratings in the IIHS moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests and good or acceptable ratings in the small overlap front test. If rated by NHTSA, they earn 4 or 5 stars overall or 4 or 5 stars in the front and side tests under the old rating scheme. All come with standard ESC.
All listed vehicles start under $20,000. Prices, provided by Kelley Blue Book and rounded to the nearest $100, are from March 1, 2017, for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year. The estimates are based on the following criteria: vehicle in good condition, typical mileage and private party purchase in Arlington, Va.)
Note: Some listed models include a “built after” date. This applies when a manufacturer makes changes to improve safety in the middle of a model year. Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured can be found on the certification label typically affixed to the driver door or near it.
| Large cars | Model years | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Volvo S80 | 2007 and newer | $4,000 |
| Toyota Avalon | 2015 and newer | $18,800 |
| Infiniti M37/M56/Q70 | 2013 and newer | $19,800 |
| Midsize cars | Model years | Price |
| Dodge Avenger | 2011-14 | $5,300 |
| Chrysler 200 sedan | 2011 and newer | $5,900 |
| Kia Optima | 2011 and newer | $7,600 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 2013 and newer; built after October 2012 | $8,700 |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 2015 and newer | $9,200 |
| Nissan Altima sedan | 2013 and newer; built after November 2012 | $9,500 |
| Ford Fusion | 2013 and newer; built after December 2012 | $9,600 |
| Volvo S60 | 2011 and newer; price is for 2012, which had lower trim level available | $9,800 |
| Subaru Legacy | 2013 and newer; built after August 2012 | $10,700 |
| Chevrolet Malibu | 2014 and newer | $10,900 |
| Honda Accord sedan and coupe | 2013 and newer | $11,100 |
| Toyota Camry | 2014 and newer; built after December 2013 | $11,200 |
| Mazda 6 | 2014 and newer | $11,400 |
| Hyundai Sonata | 2015 and newer | $11,900 |
| Acura TL | 2012-14; built after April 2012 | $12,400 |
| Lincoln MKZ | 2013 and newer | $13,300 |
| Subaru Outback | 2013 and newer; built after August 2012 | $13,600 |
| Chevrolet Malibu Limited | 2016 | $13,700 |
| Toyota Prius v | 2015 and newer | $16,300 |
| Volvo V60 | 2015 and newer | $18,400 |
| Audi A3 | 2015 and newer | $18,500 |
| Infiniti Q50 | 2014-15 | $19,100 |
| Small SUVs | Model years | Price |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | 2011 and newer | $6,900 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 2014 and newer | $10,700 |
| Chevrolet Trax | 2015 and newer | $11,800 |
| Fiat 500X | 2016 and newer; built after July 2015 | $12,600 |
| Nissan Rogue | 2014 and newer | $12,900 |
| Buick Encore | 2015 and newer | $13,800 |
| Subaru Forester | 2014 and newer | $14,900 |
| Honda CR-V | 2015 and newer | $15,600 |
| Hyundai Tucson | 2016 and newer | $16,000 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 2015 and newer | $16,000 |
| Mazda CX-3 | 2016 and newer | $16,600 |
| Midsize SUVs | MODEL YEARS | Price |
| Volvo XC90 | 2005 and newer | $2,500 |
| Ford Flex | 2010 and newer; built after January 2010 | $7,200 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | 2014 and newer | $12,100 |
| GMC Terrain | 2014 and newer | $13,300 |
| Nissan Pathfinder | 2015 and newer | $15,800 |
| Kia Sorento | 2016 and newer | $16,500 |
| Volvo XC60 | 2013 and newer | $16,500 |
| Ford Edge | 2015 and newer; built after May 2015 | $17,400 |
| Nissan Murano | 2015 and newer | $19,100 |
| Minivans | MODEL YEARS | Price |
| Kia Sedona | 2015 and newer | $14,700 |
| Honda Odyssey | 2014 and newer | $16,100 |
| Toyota Sienna | 2015 and newer | $18,100 |
| Pickup | MODEL YEARS | Price |
| Toyota Tundra extended cab (Double Cab) | 2014 and newer | $15,600 |
Good choices: recommended used vehicles for teens starting under $10,000
Vehicles on this list earn good ratings in the IIHS moderate overlap front, side and head restraint tests. If rated by NHTSA, they earn 4 or 5 stars overall or 4 or 5 stars in the front and side tests under the old rating scheme. All come with standard ESC.
All listed vehicles start under $10,000. Prices, provided by Kelley Blue Book and rounded to the nearest $100, are from March 1, 2017, for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year. The estimates are based on the following criteria: vehicle in good condition, typical mileage and private party purchase in Arlington, Va.
Note: Some listed models include a “built after” date. This applies when a manufacturer makes changes to improve safety in the middle of a model year. Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured can be found on the certification label typically affixed to the driver door or near it.
| Large cars | Model years | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Taurus | 2009 and newer | $4,300 |
| Mercury Sable | 2009 | $4,600 |
| Audi A6 | 2007 and newer | $5,600 |
| Toyota Avalon | 2009-14 | $6,500 |
| Buick LaCrosse | 2010 and newer | $7,500 |
| Lincoln MKS | 2009 and newer | $7,800 |
| Buick Regal | 2011 and newer | $8,000 |
| Saab 9-5 | 2010-11 | $9,700 |
| Acura RL | 2009 and newer | $9,900 |
| Midsize cars | Model years | Price |
| Saab 9-3 | 2005-11 | $2,000 |
| Suzuki Kizashi | 2010-13 | $3,600 |
| Volkswagen Jetta sedan and wagon | 2009-14 | $3,900 |
| Audi A4 sedan and wagon | 2007 and newer; built after July 2006 | $4,100 |
| Volkswagen Passat sedan and wagon | 2009-12 | $4,500 |
| Mercury Milan | 2010-11 | $5,200 |
| Volkswagen CC | 2009 and newer | $5,200 |
| Ford Fusion | 2010-12 | $5,300 |
| Subaru Legacy | 2009-12 | $5,400 |
| Volvo C30 | 2008-13 | $5,400 |
| Audi A3 | 2008-13 | $5,700 |
| Chevrolet Malibu | 2010-13 | $5,800 |
| Honda Accord sedan | 2008-12 | $5,900 |
| BMW 3-series sedan | 2009 and newer | $6,700 |
| Lincoln MKZ | 2010-12 | $6,900 |
| Hyundai Sonata | 2011-14 | $7,200 |
| Subaru Outback | 2010-12 | $7,700 |
| Acura TSX | 2009-14 | $8,300 |
| Acura TL | 2009-11 | $8,400 |
| Buick Verano | 2012-15 | $8,600 |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 2009 and newer | $8,600 |
| Toyota Camry | 2012-13 | $9,100 |
| Small SUVs | Model years | Price |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 2007-13 | $3,900 |
| Nissan Rogue | 2008-13 | $4,400 |
| Subaru Forester | 2007-13 | $4,400 |
| Ford Escape | 2009 and newer | $4,900 |
| Mazda Tribute | 2009-11 | $4,900 |
| Mercury Mariner | 2009-11 | $5,100 |
| Honda Element | 2007-11 | $5,300 |
| Honda CR-V | 2007-14 | $5,400 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | 2009 and newer | $5,800 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 2009-14 | $7,000 |
| Hyundai Tucson | 2010-15 | $7,500 |
| Kia Sportage | 2011 and newer | $7,700 |
| Midsize SUVs | Model years | Price |
| Ford Taurus X | 2008-09 | $3,700 |
| Saturn Vue | 2008-09; built after December 2007 | $4,000 |
| Honda Pilot | 2006 and newer | $4,000 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 2007 and newer | $4,300 |
| Subaru Tribeca/B9 Tribeca | 2006-14 | $4,700 |
| Ford Edge | 2007-14 | $5,200 |
| Dodge Journey | 2010 and newer | $5,400 |
| Hyundai Veracruz | 2008-12 | $5,700 |
| Nissan Murano | 2009-14 | $5,900 |
| Ford Flex | 2009 | $6,100 |
| Acura RDX | 2007 and newer | $6,900 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | 2010-13 | $6,900 |
| GMC Terrain | 2010-13 | $7,100 |
| Lincoln MKX | 2007 and newer | $7,100 |
| BMW X3 | 2008 and newer | $7,300 |
| Mercedes-Benz M-Class | 2007-15 | $7,700 |
| Toyota Highlander | 2008 and newer | $8,100 |
| Honda Crosstour | 2010-15 | $8,200 |
| Infiniti EX | 2008-13 | $8,200 |
| Volvo XC60 | 2010-12 | $8,200 |
| Acura MDX | 2007 and newer | $8,300 |
| Kia Sorento | 2011-15 | $8,400 |
| Toyota Venza | 2009-15 | $8,400 |
| BMW X5 | 2008-13 | $8,600 |
| Large SUVs | Model years | Price |
| Saturn Outlook | 2008-09; built after March 2008 | $5,000 |
| Chevrolet Traverse | 2009 and newer | $6,300 |
| GMC Acadia | 2008 and newer; built after March 2008 | $6,900 |
| Buick Enclave | 2008 and newer; built after March 2008 | $7,300 |
| Audi Q7 | 2008 and newer; built after December 2007 | $9,100 |
| Mercedes-Benz R-Class | 2009-12; built after September 2008 | $9,100 |
| Minivans | Model years | Price |
| Kia Sedona | 2006-14 | $2,500 |
| Hyundai Entourage | 2007-08 | $3,300 |
| Honda Odyssey | 2008-13 | $4,800 |
| Volkswagen Routan | 2010-12 | $5,600 |
| Chrysler Town & Country | 2010 and newer; built after March 2010 | $6,100 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan | 2010 and newer; built after March 2010 | $6,100 |
| Nissan Quest | 2011 and newer | $8,500 |
| Pickups | Model years | Price |
| Toyota Tundra extended cab (Double Cab) | 2007-13 | $8,400 |
| Ford F-150 crew cab (SuperCrew) | 2009 and newer | $9,800 |