What to Look for in Safe Used Cars
The IIHS lists some key safety features to look for in any car your teen gets. To find the safest used car for your teenage drivers, remember to look for:- Cars with low horsepower. Even though your teen might get excited by the idea of a fast car, they won’t be able to handle it. A teenager’s underdeveloped brain also put them at risk of participating in reckless behavior.
- Cars that are a little bit bigger. Bigger cars, trucks, and SUV’s are better at protecting drivers in accidents. With more room and space around a vehicle, your teen driver is less likely to get injured. Although you’d think a smaller vehicle will make it easier to park and maneuver, they increase the risk of injury during a crash. The HLDI reports that teen drivers are also less likely to crash in larger vehicles.
- Cars with an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. This feature helps drivers control their vehicles on curvy or slippery roads. It comes standard in most vehicles made after 2012. The IIHS rates this feature as important as wearing a seatbelt!
- Cars with top safety ratings and no major recalls. Even if the car is a little older, check to see if it has any safety ratings or reviews. In turn, you should also check to see if the car has any recalls. It’s not the end of the world if a car does have a recall, but remember to double check the extent of the recall and see if the issue was serviced by the previous driver.
Top Ten Safest and Most Affordable Cars for Teens
Your teen can doesn’t have to drain their savings to get a safe car. There’s also lots of other ways your teen can save money on all their vehicle expenses like getting an auto insurance quote before you buy. Here are some of our top picks for safe and affordable cars.| Vehicle Type | Year | Minimum Price |
| Volvo XC90 | 2005 and newer | $3,700 |
| Volvo S80 | 2007 and newer | $3,900 |
| Chevrolet Malibu | 2010 and newer | $4,900 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 2013 and newer | $6,600 |
| Volvo S60 | 2011 and newer | $7,900 |
| Ford Fusion | 2013 and newer | $8,100 |
| Subaru Legacy | 2013 and newer | $8,300 |
| Ford Flex | 2011 and newer | $8,700 |
| Honda Accord coupe | 2013 and newer | $8,900 |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 2015 and newer | $8,900 |
Review of the Safest Cars for Teens
These cars are the IIHS top-safety rated cars for teens. They include all the safety features the IIHS recommends, and are all under $10k. Each vehicle has its pros and cons, which we’ll go over. Remember to consider the safety features, along with the needs of your teen.Volvo xc90
Volvo s80
The Volvo s80 overall has great IIHS ratings, but it is on the smaller side. This vehicle was redesigned after 2007 to implement even more safety features. Volvo is known for their innovative safety features. You’ll often find cutting-edge safety features in Volvos years before they become an industry standard.
It’s an impressive car with highly-ranked technologies and features. To top it off, it’s also highly-rated as a reliable vehicle in itself.
Chevrolet Malibu
Newer models after 2010 have design features to the front door trim panels that improve passenger protection during a crash. This vehicle also has plenty of great safety features and has an overall acceptable IIHS safety rating.
It’s a good reliable car that’ll last your teen for years to come. It does not have additional design features other competitors may have, but it’s much safer than similar options.
Volkswagen Passat
This model includes side curtain airbags that protect passengers from upfront impact. The Passat is one of the most affordable midsized cars. Despite its affordability, it’s designed to feel like a luxury vehicle.
Volvo s60
The Volvo S60 was redesigned for the 2011 model year which was highly rated during the frontal crash tests. Both the sedan and hatchback models of this vehicle tested well for all safety features. The s60 has a good safety rating with the IIHS, but may have issues with driver restraint.
Despite this vehicle looking a little flashier and faster, it still has a relatively low horsepower for its design. Reviewers say the car still feels faster when driving, but it includes Volvo’s City Safety system.
Ford Fusion
This model has new structural changes which improve passenger protection upon frontal crashes. It has incredibly low maintenance costs, and has great fuel mileage. It’s a little slower than most cars, with only a 175 horsepower engine.
Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy has side curtain airbags which were reprogrammed to optimize driver safety in this design. The Legacy includes some top-rated safety features like lane departure warning and a pre-collision braking system for pedestrians. Like most Subarus, it comes with all-wheel drive, yet still has a low horsepower.
Ford Flex
The Ford Flex doesn’t have a lot of the same safety ratings as some of our other picks. It still has an acceptable safety rating and is a good alternative for teens who need a lot of cargo space without having to purchase a large truck.
This car does fit 7 people, so although it may be a good car for teens to learn on, it’s not the best for their everyday use. Additional passengers can contribute to distracted driving, another bad habit teens commonly commit.
Honda Accord Coupe
The Honda Accord has fantastic safety ratings despite it being a smaller vehicle. It is notorious for good safety features even after its redesign. Overall, this vehicle is rated as an acceptably safe vehicle with many highly-rated safety features.
This vehicle also has great resale value and is inexpensive to own, making it an ideal first car.
Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta was redesigned with side curtain airbags and was reprogrammed to improve passenger protection upon frontal impact. After the 2015 models, the A-pillars and door sills were improved to enhance passenger protection. Lots of parents may feel nostalgia towards the Jetta being their first car, and that’s because Jettas have always had ideal designs and features for new drivers.
The Jetta does have a poor rating for child seat anchors, so it may not be ideal for anyone who needs to transport little ones.
Being Safe Can Save You Money
Did you know being a safe driver can actually save you money on car insurance? Beyond ensuring your teen has the safest ride, ig also makes sure they also have all the tools they need to be a safe driver.
When helping your teen pick out their car, be sure to steer them in the right direction! Emphasize how important it is to be a safe driver. Motor-vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death in American teens. Informing your teen on vehicle safety is the most important part of teaching your teen to drive.
Want to know more about how you can save money on car insurance? Call one of our Quote Purple partners for a free quote today!