Best Cars for Teens: Cheap Cars to Insure for Young Drivers Guide
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- Bilingual content creator with over 6 years of experience developing consumer-focused content in English and Spanish.
- Insurance marketing and corporate communications specialist with a B.A. in Latin American Language and Literature from the Autonomous University of Baja California.
Andrea Perez is a bilingual content writer at Freeway, where she creates strategic content for multiple brands within the insurance industry. With a background in journalism…
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Anthony is a licensed insurance agent with more than five years of experience in the Illinois insurance market, specializing in both personal and commercial lines. He works closely with customers to review their auto, home, and specialty insurance options, helping them select coverage that fits their lifestyle and financial goals.
Getting behind the wheel for the first time is an exciting milestone for a teenager and an important transition for parents. Choosing the right vehicle involves more than style or brand preference. Safety, reliability, affordability, and auto insurance costs should all be part of the decision.
For a new driver, a vehicle with strong crash-test performance, manageable power, and modern safety technology can provide added peace of mind. This guide explains what parents should look for, which types of vehicles may work well for teens, what to avoid, and how vehicle choice can affect insurance costs.
Best Types of Cars for Teen Drivers
Certain vehicle categories can be practical choices for inexperienced drivers when they have good safety ratings and appropriate safety equipment.
Midsize Sedans
Midsize sedans can offer a good balance of size, visibility, handling, and occupant protection. Popular models such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry are available with modern driver-assistance technology and may be easier for inexperienced drivers to handle than larger vehicles.
Compact and Small SUVs
Compact SUVs can provide a higher seating position and good visibility while remaining easier to maneuver than many larger SUVs or pickup trucks. Depending on the model and trim, they may also include features such as electronic stability control, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring.
Hatchbacks and Compact Cars
Hatchbacks and compact cars can be affordable, fuel-efficient, and easy to maneuver. Because smaller vehicles may offer less protection in some crashes than larger vehicles, parents should pay particular attention to crash-test ratings and available safety features when comparing models.
Be Cautious with Large SUVs and Pickup Trucks
Large SUVs and full-size pickup trucks can be more difficult for inexperienced drivers to maneuver and park. Their size and weight should be considered carefully when choosing a first vehicle.
Safety Technologies Parents Should Prioritize
Modern safety technology can help drivers recognize hazards and, in some cases, help prevent or reduce the severity of a collision. Features worth considering include:
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): Can automatically apply the brakes when the system detects a potential collision.
- Blind-Spot Monitoring: Alerts drivers when another vehicle may be difficult to see during a lane change.
- Lane Departure Warning and Lane-Keeping Assist: Warns the driver when the vehicle begins leaving its lane and, on some vehicles, can provide steering assistance.
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC): Helps drivers maintain control during certain emergency or slippery-road situations.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: Can warn drivers about approaching vehicles while backing out of a parking space.
- Forward Collision Warning: Alerts the driver when the vehicle is approaching another vehicle too quickly.
- Teen Driver Monitoring Features: Some vehicles include technology that allows parents to review or set limits on certain driving behaviors.
Availability can vary by model year and trim, so review the specific vehicle rather than assuming every version includes the same features.
Cars Parents Should Avoid for Teen Drivers
Some vehicles may be less suitable for inexperienced drivers.
- High-Performance Sports Cars: Powerful vehicles can be more difficult for inexperienced drivers to control and may also cost more to insure.
- Oversized Trucks and SUVs: Their size can make maneuvering, parking, and emergency handling more challenging.
- Older Vehicles Without Modern Safety Equipment: Older cars may lack features such as electronic stability control, side airbags, or newer driver-assistance technology.
- Vehicles With Poor Crash-Test Results: Check safety ratings from organizations such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) before purchasing a vehicle.
Shopping on a Budget: Newer Used Vehicles vs. Older High-Mileage Cars
A used vehicle can be a practical first car, but age and mileage should not be the only considerations.
A newer used vehicle may offer safety technology that is unavailable on an older model. When comparing cars, consider crash-test performance, maintenance history, mileage, reliability, and available safety features.
A pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic can also help identify potential mechanical problems before you buy.
How Vehicle Choice Affects Insurance Premiums
The vehicle a teen drives is one of several factors that can influence insurance costs. Insurers may consider:
- Repair Costs: Vehicles that are expensive to repair or replace may cost more to insure.
- Theft Risk: Theft history can affect the cost of comprehensive coverage.
- Safety Features and Claims History: A vehicle’s safety equipment and claims experience may affect how an insurer evaluates risk.
- Vehicle Type and Performance: High-performance or expensive vehicles may cost more to insure than more modest vehicles.
Rates also depend on factors such as the driver’s age, location, driving history, coverage limits, deductibles, and insurer.
Before buying a vehicle, consider getting insurance quotes for several models so you can compare the total cost of ownership rather than focusing only on the purchase price.
Encouraging Safe Driving Habits After Choosing a Vehicle
Choosing an appropriate vehicle is only part of helping a teen become a safer driver. Parents can also establish clear expectations around driving privileges and behavior.
Consider:
- Gradually expanding driving privileges as your teen gains experience
- Setting limits on teen passengers
- Establishing rules for nighttime driving
- Reinforcing the importance of avoiding texting and other distractions
- Encouraging seat belt use on every trip
- Discussing speeding, following distance, and other safe-driving habits regularly
Parents should also become familiar with their state’s graduated driver licensing requirements, which may already restrict nighttime driving or teen passengers.
Pros and Cons of Common First-Car Categories
| Vehicle Type | Pros | Cons |
| Sedans | Manageable size, comfortable handling, many models with modern safety features | Less cargo space than many SUVs |
| Compact SUVs | Higher seating position, useful cargo space, available driver-assistance features | May cost more than comparable sedans |
| Hatchbacks | Fuel-efficient, easy to maneuver, practical cargo area | Smaller models may offer less occupant protection in some crashes |
| Midsize SUVs | More passenger and cargo space | Larger size may be harder for inexperienced drivers to maneuver |
| Pickup Trucks | Useful cargo capacity and versatility | Larger dimensions can make parking and handling more challenging |
Popular Cars to Consider for Young Drivers
There is no single best car for every teen. Safety ratings, features, pricing, and insurance costs vary by model year and trim. However, the following models are commonly worth considering when shopping for a teen’s first vehicle.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a compact car known for practical everyday driving and is available with modern driver-assistance technology. When comparing Civics, check the safety ratings and features for the exact model year and trim you are considering.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan available with a range of driver-assistance and collision-avoidance features. Its practical size can make it worth considering for families looking for a sedan.
Mazda3
Available as a sedan or hatchback, the Mazda3 combines compact dimensions with available safety and driver-assistance technology. Compare individual model years for current crash test results and features.
Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is a compact SUV that provides a higher seating position and useful cargo space. Depending on the model year and trim, it may include features such as blind-spot monitoring and other driver-assistance technologies.
Subaru Crosstrek
The Subaru Crosstrek is a compact crossover with standard all-wheel drive and available driver-assistance features. Families in areas with frequent rain or winter weather may find all-wheel drive useful, although safe driving habits remain essential in poor conditions.
Why Choosing the Right Car and Insurance Matters for Teen Drivers
New drivers have less experience recognizing and responding to hazards, making vehicle safety an important consideration when shopping for a teen.
Look for a car that balances strong safety performance, manageable handling, reliability, and affordability. Crash-test ratings and modern safety features can help parents compare vehicles more effectively.
Insurance is another important part of the decision. Teen drivers typically face higher insurance costs because insurers consider inexperienced drivers a higher risk. The vehicle being insured can also affect the premium.
If your teen is preparing to drive, learn more about adding a teen driver to your car insurance policy.
Find Affordable Car Insurance for Your Teen Driver
Adding a young driver to your household can change your insurance needs and your premium. Comparing coverage options can help you find protection that fits your family’s budget.
Freeway Insurance can help you explore available coverage options for your household. Get a quote online, call 800-777-5620, or visit a Freeway Insurance office near you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cars and Insurance for Teens
What is the safest first car for a teenager?
There is no single safest vehicle for every teen. Look for a vehicle with strong crash-test ratings, manageable handling, and modern safety features such as automatic emergency braking and electronic stability control. Check IIHS and NHTSA ratings for the specific model year you are considering.
Should a teen drive an SUV or a sedan?
Both can be appropriate depending on the vehicle. Sedans are often easy to maneuver, while compact SUVs can provide a higher seating position and additional cargo space. Compare crash-test ratings, safety equipment, size, and handling before choosing.
Is a used car better than a new car for a teen?
Either can work. A late-model used vehicle can provide modern safety features at a lower purchase price than a new vehicle. The vehicle’s condition, maintenance history, mileage, crash-test performance, and safety equipment are more important than whether it is new or used.
What safety features should a teen’s first car have?
Look for electronic stability control, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert when available. The exact combination of features will depend on the vehicle’s model year and trim.
How does a teen’s vehicle affect insurance costs?
Insurers may consider the vehicle’s value, repair costs, performance, theft risk, claims history, and other characteristics when determining premiums. The teen’s age, driving record, location, coverage choices, and other rating factors can also affect the cost of insurance.
