The Best Used Cars for Teen DriversMotorTrendGetting your first car as a teenager is an American rite of passage. For teens, cars are our first taste of adulthood, of personal freedom and responsibility. For parents, a teen's first car similarly marks the passage of time and the transition from childhood to beyond. Parents and teens, however, want different things from their cars.When I was a car-obsessed teen, I was most concerned with something sporty, fast, and fun. My parents, on the other hand, wanted something safe, practical, and capable of schlepping me and my things off to college and dealing with the snow. (I wound up buying myself a 2000 Mustang GT. I don't have any regrets, but it was, uh, far from the most sensible choice.)It's only been 15 years or so since I bought that car, but it's arguably harder than ever to make that key decision for teens and parents alike. Prices remain high, algorithms feed us marketing disguised as consumer advice, and generative AI often gets basic facts and details wrong. We're here to clear up some of that confusion.AdvertisementAdvertisementWe've combed through data compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports as part of their joint "Safe Vehicles For Teens, Best Choices" report and coupled it with our own expertise to compile this list of the best used cars that both teens and their parents will love. These vehicles all have top IIHS safety marks, and most will have Black Book values of less than $10,000, with no car going for more than $20,000. (Like MotorTrend, Black Book is owned by Hearst Communications.) Here's what we picked and why both parents and teens alike will appreciate these vehicles.1) Small Car: Honda CivicPhoto credit: MotorTrend - MotorTrendWhen friends and family ask our editors which car to buy, the Honda Civic is often our default choice because the last two generations (2016–2021 and 2022–present) are phenomenally engineered cars that are affordable and fun to drive. CR and the IIHS call out the 2014–2025 Civic as a top pick, although we'd suggest looking for 2016 and newer models as they're fundamentally better cars. Civics can be found in sedan, hatchback, and coupe body styles, and they can be had for as little as $8,100, according to the IIHS and CR report.Why Parents Will Like It: Safe, efficient, practical, and affordable—what more could you ask for?Why Teens Will Like It: Aside from the above, Honda's deep aftermarket support means you can make any Civic your own quite easily.AdvertisementAdvertisementRead Our Experts' Full Review of the Honda Civic2) Small Car: Mazda 3Photo credit: MotorTrend - MotorTrendIf a Honda Civic seems too commonplace, the current-generation Mazda 3 (2019–present; valued at about $13,200) is also a great pick. It's especially worth considering if you live where it dips below freezing, as the Mazda 3 is one of few cars in its class to offer optional all-wheel drive. Like the Civic, the 3 is available in multiple body styles (sedan and hatchback), with multiple engines and transmissions, and it's exceptionally fun to drive. The Mazda's drawbacks, by way of comparison with the Civic, are that it's slightly less efficient than the Honda and less roomy—though it certainly makes up some ground with more powerful engines and a more premium cabin.Why Parents Will Like It: The small infotainment screen and fussy software should ensure focus on the road.Why Teens Will Like It: It's good-looking, roomy enough, and fun to drive.AdvertisementAdvertisementRead Our Experts' Full Review of the Mazda 33) Small Car: Kia SoulPhoto credit: MotorTrend - MotorTrendFirst cars are better when they're a bit weird. The Kia Soul is weird. A modern-day descendent of the Chrysler PT Cruiser, this not-quite-an-SUV/not-really-a-hatchback stands out for its quirky styling, fun features (like accent lighting that pulses with your music), and a roomy cabin ensuring space for your life as it is today and into the future. This recommendation covers both the second- (2014–2019) and final-generation (2019–2025) Souls, and prices should start as low as $5,300.Why Parents Will Like It: The Soul oozes practicality without sacrificing style.Why Teens Will Like It: It's fun and quirky, just like you.AdvertisementAdvertisementRead Our Experts' Full Review of the Kia Soul4) Midsize Car: Alfa Romeo GiuliaPhoto credit: MotorTrend - MotorTrendAlfa Romeo has been struggling to make a go at it in the U.S., but that's no reason teens shouldn't take advantage of the company's serious depreciation struggles, with a Black Book value as low as $9,100 these days. The Alfa Romeo Giulia, a former MotorTrend Car of the Year winner, is a compact luxury sedan that goes toe to toe with competitors from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz in every metric but price. The Giulia is a treat to drive, comfortable inside, and great to look at. Although the company has had reliability issues with early Giulias (especially the high-performance Giulia Quadrifoglios, which we don't recommend for new drivers), it seems to have sorted them out over the lifetime of the car (2018–present).Why Parents Will Like It: What better way to teach your teen some personal responsibility than with a car that might need more care than others on this list?Why Teens Will Like It: Trust us.AdvertisementAdvertisementRead Our Experts' Full Review of the Alfa Romeo Giulia5) Midsize Car: Mazda 6Photo credit: MotorTrend - MotorTrendFine—Mom or Dad wants something a bit more reliable? The Mazda 6 (specifically 2016–2021 models, which may be had for as little as $8,900) captures some of the essence and performance of the Alfa in a more sensible, roomier package. Available with a manual transmission for those with enthusiast inclinations or a six-speed automatic, the Mazda 6 is as practical as more popular rivals like the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord yet stands on its own with superior styling and more premium features.Why Parents Will Like It: It's not the Alfa we tried to sell your teen on.Why Teens Will Like It: Because it's not the Camry or Accord hand-me-downs your friends are rocking.AdvertisementAdvertisementRead Our Experts' Full Review of the Mazda 66) Midsize Car: Hyundai Ioniq 6Photo credit: MotorTrend - MotorTrendThis electric car might be the costliest pick in this class ($19,400), requiring some help from parents for most teens to afford, but the 2023–2025 Ioniq 6 makes up for it in its efficiency. Before it was discontinued for America, the Ioniq 6 was among the most affordable EVs on the market with nearly 300 miles of range—its EPA rating was 361 miles; 291 miles is a more reasonable expectation as per our testing—and the ability to rapidly charge from 10 to 80 percent in less than 20 minutes. The Ioniq 6 will not only be cheap to fuel, but cheap to maintain with few moving parts, yet it sacrifices nothing when it comes to performance or modern safety and entertainment technologies.Why Parents Will Like It: Because your teen will be able to afford running it themselves.Why Teens Will Like It: You might not realize this, but never having to go to a gas station is a treat.AdvertisementAdvertisementRead Our Experts' Review of the Hyundai Ioniq 67) Subcompact SUV: Subaru CrosstrekPhoto credit: MotorTrend - MotorTrendIf you're a teen with an eye on an SUV, it's hard to go wrong with the past two generations of the Subaru Crosstrek (2017–2023 and 2024–present), which can be bought used for as little as $9,000 for the gas version or $13,600 for the efficient plug-in hybrid. We love the Crosstrek because, although it may be slow, it's roomy, comfortable, and surprisingly capable off-road, making it an excellent choice for those whose hobbies might include camping or hiking.Why Parents Will Like It: SUV capability, AWD peace of mind, and hatchback sensibility.Why Teens Will Like It: Like the Honda Civic, it's easy to make any Crosstrek your own.AdvertisementAdvertisementRead Our Experts' Review of the Subaru Crosstrek8) Subcompact SUV: Ford Bronco SportPhoto credit: MotorTrend - MotorTrendIf you want something with off-road capability and more style, the Ford Bronco Sport is also worth consideration. The baby Bronco captures much of the essence and some of the capability of its bigger, heavier, and less efficient big brother in a more affordable and economical package. A 2021–present Bronco Sport should set you back about $18,100 on the secondhand market.Why Parents Will Like It: The most capable SUV in its class should prove reliable no matter the conditions.Why Teens Will Like It: The Bronco Sport has a vintage charm of the bigger Bronco without any of the drawbacks.AdvertisementAdvertisementRead Our Experts' Review of the Ford Bronco Sport9) Subcompact SUV: BMW X1Photo credit: MotorTrend - MotorTrendFor teens who are after the finer things in life (or an SUV on the sportier end of the spectrum), the 2016–present BMW X1, which can be had for as little as $8,600, is certainly worth considering. Although it has a relatively tight back seat, it makes up for it with a fun personality, luxury style, premium features, and a surprisingly efficient powertrain.Why Parents Will Like It: Because it'll make it look like you spent far more on your kid than you really did.Why Teens Will Like It: Because it'll make you feel (if only briefly) that you have cool parents.Read Our Experts' Review of the BMW X110) Compact SUV: Nissan RoguePhoto credit: MotorTrend - MotorTrendThe wildest thing about the Nissan Rogue is its name. The Rogue (2014–present) is the definition of basic transportation, but it's also basic transportation done right. The Rogue drives comfortably, is adequately powerful to ensure you can pass slower traffic (while staying out of trouble), and features innovative cargo solutions to ensure everything from weekly groceries to a whole dorm room can fit inside. Even better, it's affordable, with used prices starting as low as $5,900, making it among the cheapest vehicles on this list.Why Parents Will Like It: It's affordable, safe, and practical transportation.Why Teens Will Like It: You have enough to worry about in your life—sometimes a car doesn't need to be among them.Read Our Experts' Review of the Nissan Rogue11) Compact SUV: Hyundai Ioniq 5Photo credit: MotorTrend - MotorTrendThe throwback 8-bit compatriot to the Ioniq 6 sedan, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a MotorTrend SUV of the Year winner and one of the best electric crossovers on the market. Like the Ioniq 6, the Ioniq 5 can travel far on a charge and recharge to 80 percent in less than 20 minutes on a fast charger. Unlike the Ioniq 6, this Hyundai has a rear seat far larger than this SUV's size would suggest and a large trunk, too. The Ioniq 5 has been in production since 2022 and can be bought used for as little as $16,700.Why Parents Will Like It: Like the Ioniq 6, the Ioniq 5 will be affordable to run and ought to last for years.Why Teens Will Like It: It's cool-looking, nice to drive, and super roomy.Read Our Experts' Review of the Hyundai Ioniq 512) Compact SUVs: Mazda CX-5Photo credit: MotorTrend - MotorTrendYes, yes—another Mazda on our list. Unfortunately for Mazda, resale values seem to be relatively low (2014–2025 CX-5s, which are what we recommend, are as little as $8,400), while feature content, style, and the driving experience are on the high side. Like the other Mazdas on this list, the CX-5 might not be the roomiest thing in its segment (the competing Rogue certainly is more spacious), but it offers a premium cabin experience and a sublime drive for the class.Why Parents Will Like It: It's affordably priced, and the previous generation was in production forever, so parts are plentiful.Why Teens Will Like It: Mazdas are usually unique and almost always fun to drive.Read Our Experts' Review of the Mazda CX-513) Midsize SUVs: Subaru OutbackPhoto credit: MotorTrend - MotorTrendFor teens in need of a larger vehicle, the 2020–2025 Subaru Outback (which costs as little as $18,700) is certainly worthy of consideration. Outbacks are cars teens can grow with. The basic package is safe, roomy, and reliable, with this Subaru offering efficiency and all-weather capability that should ensure its place in the next stages of any teen's life.Why Parents Will Like It: It's safe, reliable, and not too flashy.Why Teens Will Like It: There's a plucky charm to the Outback—it's just as capable at taking you to class as it is camping in the wilderness.Read Our Experts' Review of the Subaru Outback14) Midsize SUVs: Nissan MuranoPhoto credit: MotorTrend - MotorTrendIf you're looking for something slightly more affordable on the used market that doesn't sacrifice spaciousness or technology, the Nissan Murano is also worthy of consideration. The most luxurious Nissan on the market, the Murano offers premium amenities, more advanced active safety systems than typically found on mainstream vehicles of its age (2015–present), and pleasant driving dynamics. The Murano can be found with front- or all-wheel drive and with hybrid powertrains. The Black Book value is as little as $8,100 according to the IIHS and CR.Why Parents Will Like It: It's an affordable and sensible choice.Why Teens Will Like It: Because it's a fancier car than you probably deserve.Read Our Experts' Review of the Nissan Murano15) Midsize SUV: Volvo XC90Photo credit: MotorTrend - MotorTrendAlthough many states have restrictions on the number of passengers a newly licensed teen can carry in a vehicle, we thought it prudent to include at least one three-row SUV. The Volvo XC90 is tough to beat for its top safety scores, long-term reliability, and surprising affordability. CR and the IIHS recommend both late first-generation XC90s (2013–2016), and second-generation XC90s, which have been in production since 2016. Both versions of the XC90 have won our SUV of the Year award, with the first-gen winning in 2003 and second in 2016.Why Parents Will Like It: Volvo has a well-earned reputation for safety.Why Teens Will Like It: Scandinavian style never seems to go out of fashion.Read Our Experts' Review of the Volvo XC90