IIHS has just recommended used vehicles for teens though the firm just found out that most are not driving the safest ones. Now to help guide parents toward safer choices the firm has just compiled a list of recommended used cars for teens.
BEST CHOICES:
Recommended used vehicles for teens starting under $20,000
Vehicles on this list earn good ratings in the IIHS moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests. If rated by NHTSA, they earn 4 or 5 stars overall or 4 or 5 stars in the front and side tests under the old rating scheme. All come with standard ESC.
Prices, rounded to the nearest $100, were taken from Kelley Blue Book on July 1, 2014, for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year based on the following criteria: vehicle in good condition, typical mileage and private party purchase in Arlington, Va.
| LARGE CARS | MODEL YEARS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| Saab 9-5 sedan | 2010 and later | $17,500 |
| Lincoln MKS | 2009 and later | $15,500 |
| Buick Regal | 2011 and later | $13,500 |
| Ford Taurus | 2010 and later | $13,500 |
| Buick LaCrosse | 2010 and later | $12,900 |
| Volvo S80 | 2007 and later | $9,000 |
| MIDSIZE CARS | MODEL YEARS | PRICE |
| Toyota Prius v | 2012 and later | $19,100 |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan | 2009 and later | $16,000 |
| Honda Accord sedan | 2012 and later; coupe 2013-14 | $14,400 |
| Audi A4 | 2009 and later | $14,300 |
| Toyota Camry | 2012 and later | $14,300 |
| Buick Verano | 2012 and later | $14,100 |
| Subaru Outback | 2010 and later | $14,000 |
| Lincoln MKZ | 2010 and later; built after April 2010 | $13,500 |
| Kia Optima | 2011 and later | $13,300 |
| Hyundai Sonata | 2011 and later | $12,100 |
| Subaru Legacy | 2010 and later | $11,900 |
| Dodge Avenger | 2011 and later | $11,600 |
| Audi A3 | 2008 and later | $11,300 |
| Volkswagen CC | 2009 and later | $11,200 |
| Chevrolet Malibu | 2010 and later; built after November 2009 | $10,900 |
| Chrysler 200 sedan | 2011 and later | $10,700 |
| Mercury Milan | 2010-11; built after April 2010 | $10,700 |
| Ford Fusion | 2010 and later; built after April 2010 | $10,200 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 2009 and later | $10,000 |
| Volvo C30 | 2008 and later | $9,800 |
| Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen | 2009 and later | $9,400 |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 2009 and later | $8,200 |
| SMALL SUVs | MODEL YEARS | PRICE |
| Honda CR-V | 2012 and later | $18,100 |
| Kia Sportage | 2011 and later | $13,800 |
| Hyundai Tucson | 2010 and later | $13,100 |
| Subaru Forester | 2009 and later | $12,800 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | 2011 and later | $12,000 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | 2009 and later | $10,200 |
| Honda Element | 2007 and later | $8,900 |
| MIDSIZE SUVs | MODEL YEARS | PRICE |
| Volvo XC60 | 2010 and later | $18,000 |
| Saab 9-4X | 2011-12 | $17,800 |
| Toyota Highlander | 2008 and later | $17,100 |
| Toyota Venza | 2009 and later | $15,900 |
| Ford Edge | 2011 and later; built after February 2011 | $15,500 |
| Ford Flex | 2010 and later | $15,100 |
| GMC Terrain | 2010 and later | $14,900 |
| Kia Sorento | 2011 and later | $14,500 |
| Infiniti EX | 2008 and later | $14,400 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | 2010 and later | $13,700 |
| Dodge Journey | 2010 and later | $11,200 |
| Subaru Tribeca/B9 Tribeca | 2006 and later | $8,500 |
| Volvo XC90 | 2005 and later | $7,300 |
| LARGE SUVs | MODEL YEARS | PRICE |
| Buick Enclave | 2011 and later | $19,900 |
| GMC Acadia | 2011 and later | $17,800 |
| Chevrolet Traverse | 2011 and later | $16,600 |
| MINIVANS | MODEL YEARS | PRICE |
| Chrysler Town & Country | 2012 and later | $18,100 |
| Honda Odyssey | 2011 and later | $17,100 |
| Toyota Sienna | 2011 and later | $16,400 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan | 2012 and later | $15,200 |
| Volkswagen Routan | 2012 | $14,000 |
GOOD CHOICES:
Recommended used vehicles for teens starting under $10,000
Vehicles on this list earn good ratings in the IIHS moderate overlap front test and good or acceptable ratings in the side test. If rated by NHTSA, they earn 4 or 5 stars overall or 4 or 5 stars in the front and side tests under the old rating scheme. They also have standard ESC and a better-than-poor rating for head restraints and seats.
Prices, rounded to the nearest $100, were taken from Kelley Blue Book on July 1, 2014, for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year based on the following criteria: vehicle in good condition, typical mileage and private party purchase in Arlington, Va.
| LARGE CARS | MODEL YEARS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| Acura RL | 2005 and later | $9,700 |
| Mercury Sable | 2009 | $9,700 |
| Kia Amanti | 2009 | $9,500 |
| Ford Taurus | 2009 | $9,100 |
| Audi A6 sedan | 2005 and later | $8,300 |
| Hyundai Azera | 2006 and later | $5,700 |
| MIDSIZE CARS | MODEL YEARS | PRICE |
| Subaru Legacy | 2009 | $9,900 |
| BMW 3-series sedan | 2006 and later | $9,300 |
| Mazda 6 | 2009 and later | $8,900 |
| Saturn Aura | 2009 | $8,800 |
| Acura TL | 2004 and later | $7,900 |
| Volvo S40 | 2007 and later | $7,700 |
| Audi A3 | 2006-07 | $7,400 |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan | 2005-08 | $6,900 |
| Suzuki Kizashi | 2010 and later | $6,600 |
| Volvo S60 | 2007-09 | $6,500 |
| Audi A4 | 2005-08; built after October 2004 | $6,200 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 2006-08 | $5,100 |
| Saab 9-3 | 2005 and later | $4,000 |
| SMALL SUVs | MODEL YEARS | PRICE |
| Nissan Rogue | 2008 and later | $9,800 |
| Ford Escape | 2009 and later | $8,700 |
| Mazda Tribute | 2009 and later | $8,100 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 2007 and later | $6,300 |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 2006 and later | $5,600 |
| MIDSIZE SUVs | MODEL YEARS | PRICE |
| Mazda CX-9 | 2007 and later | $9,800 |
| Ford Edge | 2007-10 | $9,600 |
| Hyundai Veracruz | 2007 and later | $9,600 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 2007-10 | $8,900 |
| Honda Pilot | 2006 and later | $8,800 |
| Saturn Vue | 2008-09 | $7,700 |
| Ford Taurus X | 2008-09 | $7,500 |
| Mazda CX-7 | 2007-11 | $7,200 |
| Suzuki XL7 | 2008-09 | $6,200 |
| MINIVANS | MODEL YEARS | PRICE |
| Volkswagen Routan | 2009-11 | $8,600 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan | 2008-11 | $8,200 |
| Chrysler Town & Country | 2008-11 | $8,100 |
| Honda Odyssey | 2005-10 | $6,700 |
| Hyundai Entourage | 2007-08 | $6,300 |
| Kia Sedona | 2006 and later | $4,600 |
