As a parent, it can be stressful teaching your teen to drive. It can be even more stressful trying to pick out the right car for them. So, which vehicle is the best car for your teen to drive? It all depends on what you can afford and what you’re looking for, but keep reading to see the most popular new and used vehicles for first-time drivers.

Best New Cars for Teens

If you want a brand new car for your teen, you probably know the cost to finance one isn’t always affordable. The good news is that you don’t have to shell out a lot of money for a great first vehicle for your new driver. Based on the EPA’s fuel economy ratings, NHTSA safety ratings, and the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), here are six of the best 2018 models that are recommended for teens:

  • 2018 Mazda Mazda3 2018 Mazda Mazda3

    MSRP: $18,990

    Fuel economy: 28/38/31 miles per gallon (city/highway/combined)

    Safety rating: 5/5 stars

  • 2018 Toyota Tacoma 2018 Toyota Tacoma

    MSRP: $26,495

    Fuel economy: 20/23/21 mpg

    Safety rating: 4/5 stars

  • 2018 Jeep Renegade 2018 Jeep Renegade

    MSRP: $20,245

    Fuel economy: 24/31/26 mpg

    Safety rating: 4/5 stars

  • 2018 Honda Fit 2018 Honda Fit

    MSRP: $17,110

    Fuel economy: 29/36/31 mpg

    Safety rating: 5/5 stars

  • 2018 Toyota Camry 2018 Toyota Camry

    MSRP: $24,575

    Fuel economy: 29/41/34 mpg

    Safety rating: 5/5 stars

  • 2018 Kia Sportage 2018 Kia Sportage

    MSRP: $24,590

    Fuel economy: 22/29/25 mpg

    Safety rating: 5/5 stars

Best Used Cars for Teens

A brand new car may not be in the cards if you’re on a tight budget. Luckily, there are many reliable used vehicles suitable for your teen. Listed below are three of the top used cars U.S. News suggests for teen drivers as their first vehicle:

  • 2014 GMC Terrain 2014 GMC Terrain

    Average listing price: $13,401

    Fuel economy: 22/31/26 mpg

    Safety rating: 4/5 stars

  • 2015 Toyota Camry 2015 Toyota Camry

    Average listing price: $13,584

    Fuel economy: 25/34/28 mpg

    Safety rating: 5/5 stars

  • 2015 Chevrolet Traverse 2015 Chevrolet Traverse

    Average listing price: $16,868

    Fuel economy: 17/24/19 mpg

    Safety rating: 5/5 stars

What makes these three used cars great for teen drivers? There are a few different reasons. One is that they’re relatively newer used vehicles, and come with many of the same safety features offered on their 2018 counterparts such as a backup camera or blind-spot monitoring. Another is that their safety ratings are equal to the brand new models – meaning your teen is just as safe in them.

The Bottom Line

With your teen learning to drive, and eventually driving on their own, a safe and reliable car is important. If you’re unsure about using your current vehicle to teach your teen to drive, and are looking for a newer car, let Auto Credit Express help. We work with a nationwide network of special finance dealerships that have lending resources available to finance people who have bad credit, no credit, and even bankruptcy. Don't delay any longer, fill out our auto loan request form, and we'll start the process of matching you to a local dealer!