Safest Used Cars for Teen Drivers Under $20,000Hearst OwnedNot much in life is as fraught as the moment your teen gets their driver's license—except perhaps for when it comes time to get them a car.There's more than likely a strict budget for an additional car, but how do parents balance their checkbook against the safety of a child? It's not a perfect science, but the folks at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Consumer Reports have come up with a couple lists that could help make the decision a little easier, both on the conscience and on the wallet.They offer 74 used vehicles priced under $20,000—including 45 that can be found for less than $10,000—all of which had to have earned strong ratings in IIHS crash tests, receive high marks from Consumer Reports for braking and emergency handling, and include electronic stability control.AdvertisementAdvertisementYou won't find many small, low-priced vehicles on the list, or any high-performance models. Smaller cars generally offer less crash protection than midsize vehicles, while powerful sports cars may encourage risky driving behavior. Likewise, large SUVs and pickups can be more difficult for inexperienced drivers to maneuver safely.Here are the used vehicles the groups deemed as Best Choices, or vehicles up to $20,000 that offer the best all-around safety for a new driver at an affordable price:Best ChoicesHearst OwnedThe 2026 list spans a broad range of segments, including compact sedans, midsize cars, SUVs, and minivans. Brands with multiple recommended models include Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Subaru, and Toyota, while many of the newest recommendations feature automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and improved headlights—technologies that have become increasingly important as IIHS has tightened its safety standards in recent years.The updated recommendations also arrive as researchers continue to emphasize the importance of vehicle age. Studies have found teenagers are more likely to drive older vehicles that lack modern crash-avoidance technology, increasing their risk of serious injury in a crash. IIHS says its annual list is intended to help families identify vehicles that balance affordability with the latest available safety features, giving novice drivers the best chance of avoiding—or surviving—a collision.Here are the vehicles deemed Good, offering a combination of safety features at a price under $10,000:Good ChoicesHearst Owned