Which are the safest, most affordable used cars for teen drivers?

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Is your teenager getting ready to hit the road? If so, you’re likely in the market for something that will keep him or her safe without breaking the bank.

Unfortunately, that might be a bit more difficult this year, with used car prices rising across the country amid the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

With that in mind, Consumer Reports teamed up with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to create a list of the safest, most affordable used cars for teen drivers.

“With used car prices so high this year, it may be tempting to have a newly licensed teen make do with a clunker or to buy them the smallest, cheapest new car available,” said IIHS President David Harkey.

“As usual, we’re asking families to put safety at the center of this decision. Very old cars often lack adequate airbags and structure to protect their occupants. And minicars, even those that are brand new, can’t keep their occupants as safe in a crash when compared with a larger vehicle,” Harkey added.

The list of 61 vehicles, ranging from approximately $6,400 to $19,800, includes Good Choices and Best Choices, with the Best Choices offering slightly more safety than the Good Choices.

However, all vehicles in the Good Choices or Best Choices categories meet the following requirements: standard electronic stability control (ESC); above-average reliability based on Consumer Reports surveys; average or better score on the Consumer Reports emergency handling test; dry braking distances of less than 145 feet from 60 mph in Consumer Report’s brake tests; four or five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; good ratings in four IIHS crashworthiness tests — moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints.

“In compiling these lists, we found that some of the same models that were on last year’s lists are actually more expensive now, even though they’re a year older,” said Jennifer Stockburger, director of operations at Consumer Reports Auto Test Center.

Here’s a look at the safest, most affordable used cars for teen drivers, according to Consumer Report and IIHS:

BEST CHOICES

Small cars

Mazda 3 sedan or hatchback – 2014 or newer; built after October 2013 – $8,100

Toyota Prius – 2014 or newer; built after November 2013 – $8,600

Hyundai Elantra GT – 2018 or newer – $15,200

Subaru Crosstrek – 2017 or newer – $17,900

Honda Insight – 2019 or newer – $18,200

Toyota Prius Prime – 2017 or newer – $18,200

Toyota Corolla hatchback – 2019 or newer – $18,300

Kia Niro – 2019 – $18,600

Subaru Impreza sedan and wagon – 2019 – $19,400

Midsize Cars

Subaru Outback – 2013 or newer; built after August 2012 – $8,700

Subaru Legacy – 2013 or newer; built after August 2012 – $8,800

Mazda 6 – 2014 or newer – $10,100

Lincoln MKZ – 2013, 2016, 2018 or newer – $10,300

Honda Accord sedan or coupe – 2013 or newer – $10,900

Volkswagen Passat – 2016-17 – $11,400

Toyota Prius v – 2015-18 – $11,600

Volkswagen Jetta – 2017 – $12,900

Volvo S60 – 2016, 1018 – $14,100

BMW 3 series – 2017 or newer; built after November 2016; 4-cylinder only – $17,900

Large cars

Ford Taurus – 2014 – $9,600

Hyundai Genesis – 2016 – $18,700

Small SUVs

Mazda CX-5 – 2014 or newer; built after October 2013 – $9,300

Nissan Rogue – 2014, 2016-18, 2020 – $10,100

Subaru Forester – 2016 or newer – $13,500

Honda CR-V – 2015 or newer – $14,800

Kia Sportage – 2017, 2018, 2020 – $14,800

Toyota RAV4 – 2015 or newer; built after November 2014 – $14,900

Honda HR-V – 2017 or newer; built after March 2016 – $15,400

Hyundai Kona – 2018 or newer – $15,800

Buick Encore – 2018-19 – $16,300

Hyundai Tucson – 2018 or newer – $16,800

Mazda CX-3 – 2019 or newer – $17,800

Volvo XC60 – 2017 – $19,200

Midsize SUVs

Chevrolet Equinox – 2017, 2019 – $13,700

Nissan Murano – 2015 or newer – $14,800

GMC Terrain – 2017, 2019 – $15,100

Lexus NX – 2015-16, 2018 or newer – $16,000

Kia Sorento – 2017-18 – $16,500

Hyundai Santa Fe – 2017-19; built after March 2016 – $18,700

Ford Edge – 2018 or newer – $19,600

Mazda CX-9 – 2017 or newer; built after November 2016 – $19,600

Audi Q5 – 2016-19 – $19,800

Minivans

Toyota Sienna – 2015-16 – $13,900

Honda Odyssey – 2016 – $15,400

Kia Sedona – 2017 – $15,600

GOOD CHOICES

Small cars

Mazda 3 sedan or hatchback – 2012-13 – $6,400

Toyota Prius – 2011-13 – $6,700

Honda Civic sedan – 2012-15 – $6,900

Toyota Corolla sedan – 2014 or newer – $10,300

Midsize cars

Toyota Prius v – 2012-14 – $8,300

Toyota Camry – 2012 or newer – $9,000

Honda Accord sedan – 2012 – $9,300

Large cars

Ford Taurus – 2011 – $6,700

Small SUVs

Hyundai Tucson – 2012 – $7,100

Toyota RAV4 – 2013-14 – $12,200

Midsize SUVs

Toyota Venza – 2009-15 – $8,000

Toyota Highlander – 2008 or newer – $8,200

Acura RDX – 2013-16 – $13,700

Ford Edge – 2014-15 – $11,100

Lexus RX – 2010 or newer – $11,100

Minivans

Toyota Sienna – 2011-14 – $8,300

Prices are provided by Kelley Blue Book, rounded to the nearest $100, as of May 1.