As teens get closer to the age when they can legally drive, many parents and teenagers start looking for safe and cheap cars. It can be hard to find the right car for a teen driver because there are many things to consider, like cost, dependability, safety features, and insurance rates. Even though the price is often a top priority, it is also essential to put safety first to protect young drivers on the road.
Finding the finest affordable cars for teenagers among the various possibilities available might be a daunting task. The young decision drivers and their families make is consequential to their safety and financial stability. Considering variables like price, safety, dependability, and insurance costs, this article will delve into budget automobiles and list the best options for teenagers.
Whether you’re a parent looking for peace of mind or a teen ready to go behind the wheel, this article should help you choose the right vehicle for your needs. So, let’s dive into it and find the best option for you out there.
1. Honda Civic (2012)
The Honda Civic is a favorite among drivers of all skill levels. Since its introduction in the 1970s, this compact car has been regarded as one of the most reliable and secure vehicles. Its cabin is plush and roomy, and its entertainment system is simple. The Honda Civic has a great MPG, making it an excellent choice for new drivers on a budget.
It has excellent safety ratings because of its many standard safety equipment features, including airbags, anti-lock brakes, and stability control. The Honda Civic is perfect if your teen wants a practical and dependable car.
It is a reliable and cost-effective choice for teenage drivers. With excellent gas mileage and road grip, it is an ideal car for young drivers just starting. Honda Civic offers practicality and versatility, with simple to operate and roomy cabin options.
2. Toyota Corolla (2017)
The Toyota Corolla is another favorite among new drivers. Since its introduction in the 1960s, this compact automobile has earned its reputation as one of the most dependable and low-maintenance models. Many variants of the Corolla may easily reach 200,000 miles or more with regular maintenance.
Toyota is renowned for producing durable cars; the Corolla is no exception. The 2017 Corolla achieved outstanding reliability ratings from sources such as J.D. Power and Consumer Reports, which could make it a suitable choice for individuals looking for a solid compact car.
The Toyota Corolla has numerous safety measures, such as airbags, stability control, and anti-lock brakes, in addition to its reputation for safety. Furthermore, the vehicle’s high fuel economy might assist young drivers save money on gas.
Talking about legroom, both the front and rear passengers have plenty of legroom in a Toyota Corolla because of the car’s well-designed and spacious cabin. It features a quiet and stable ride, making it a good choice for first-time drivers.
3. Mazda 3 (2016)
Teenagers looking for a sleek and enjoyable car will enjoy the Mazda 3. This small automobile is stylish and has several body styles, including a sedan and a hatchback. Its agile handling and responsive steering make it a good choice for new drivers looking for a vehicle with a bit more excitement.
The Mazda 3 has several standard safety features that improve its impressive record in this area, including forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. It has also been given high marks for safety by crash test authorities such as the NHTSA and the IIHS.
Mazda 3’s standard equipment includes a color display in the instrument panel and a knob-style controller in the middle stack, just like in more expensive vehicles like Audis. Mazda takes the show even further, making it a touchscreen.
The Mazda 3 is popular among teenagers who value style, performance, and vehicle safety. It offers excellent safety features like airbags, anti-lock brakes, and stability control, contributing to its high safety rating. Low fuel consumption is an additional benefit for young drivers just starting.
4. Hyundai Elantra (2015)
The Hyundai Elantra offers a stylish design, a comfortable interior, and a range of standard features, making it an excellent choice for young teenagers. With two engine options, it provides fuel economy and performance flexibility.
The Hyundai Elantra has a comprehensive set of standard safety features, including frontal collision warning, lane keep assist, and driver attentiveness alert, making it a safe choice for young drivers. It has also received high ratings in collision tests conducted by reputable organizations, adding to its safety credentials.
The Hyundai Elantra’s inside is well-appointed, with a cutting-edge design and modern conveniences like a touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The cabin is roomy and pleasant, with plenty of room for people and their belongings.
The Hyundai Elantra offers a cost-effective option for young drivers with its reasonable price, the low total cost of ownership, and good fuel efficiency. It also boasts high safety ratings and comes with comprehensive safety features. Additionally, its warranty coverage provides added peace of mind in case of any mechanical issues.
5. Kia Soul (2016)
The Kia Soul is an exciting and unique choice for young car drivers. This small crossover has a special boxy appearance and comes in several vibrant hues. Teenage drivers who need room for passengers or baggage will like the Kia Soul’s roomy cabin.
Thanks to its standard safety features, the Kia Soul has been lauded for its excellent safety rating. Its cabin is roomy, with ample headroom in the front and enough legroom in the back. The unique boxy shape provides versatility, with foldable back seats to increase cargo space, making it a practical choice for those seeking safety and freedom.
The Kia Soul’s unique styling helps it stand out from the crowd of other tiny cars on the road. It has several personalization choices so teens can show off their unique style. The Soul’s ride quality is excellent, making it a good option for short rides around town and longer excursions.
The Kia Soul strikes an excellent balance between efficiency and power. It offers a range of engine options, from a simple four-cylinder to a powerful turbocharged motor. The Soul is fun to drive because of its sharp steering and comfortable suspension.
6. Hyundai Accent (2013)
The Hyundai Accent is an affordable and reliable car. It has a powerful engine, a smooth ride, and sufficient room inside. Because of its reasonable price and low annual operating costs, it is a favorite among young people as a vehicle option.
The Hyundai Accent achieved a four-star overall crash protection rating in government crash testing, with four stars for frontal-impact and side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Accent the highest rating of “Good” in frontal offset and roof strength tests and an “Acceptable” rating in the side impact test.
Its economical engine makes it a good pick for young drivers on a budget. There is plenty of space for passengers to stretch out, and Accent’s infotainment system is easy to operate thanks to features like Bluetooth and a touchscreen interface.
The smooth ride quality, supportive seats, and substantial interior room of the Hyundai Accent are praised in several evaluations. These compliments are explicitly directed toward the Hyundai Accent’s status as a subcompact vehicle.
7. Honda Fit (2016)
The Honda Fit is an adjustable subcompact car with a spacious cabin and flexible seating arrangements. The Fit’s engine is economical, so it gets great gas mileage, making it an excellent choice for kids concerned about their budget.
Honda Fit is delightful to drive around town because of its agile handling. The Fit’s standard safety features include a rearview camera, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, and airbags.
Its dependability and safety record make it a good choice for teenagers. It is also known for its reliability, making it a good option for parents shopping for a car for their teen.
In addition to being reasonably priced, it has minimal ownership costs, such as low maintenance and fuel expenditures, making it a good choice for new drivers on a tight budget. The Honda Fit is an excellent option for beginning drivers because of its manageable size and the ease with which it can be driven and parked.
8. Toyota Prius (2012)
The Toyota Prius hybrid has won praise for its high gas mileage and little environmental impact. Its modern appearance, roomy interior, and cutting-edge technology make it an excellent pick for eco-conscious young adults.
Prius drivers enjoy superior fuel economy and minimal pollution thanks to the hybrid vehicle’s gasoline engine and electric motor. This makes it an excellent option for young teenagers shopping for a car that is kind to the planet and their wallet.
The cabin of the Toyota Prius is spacious and well-appointed, with technologies like a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, and a rearview camera all included as standard equipment.
Several high-tech safety systems like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control support its safety credentials. The Prius is a reliable alternative for young drivers due to its outstanding safety ratings from agencies like the NHTSA and IIHS.
9. Kia Rio (2016)
Another subcompact car with a nice balance between price and dependability is the Kia Rio. It is attractive, has a powerful engine, and is quite pleasant to ride. Rio’s standard safety equipment includes stability and traction control systems and several airbags.
The cabin of the Kia Rio is roomy and modern thanks to the inclusion of amenities like a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, and a rearview camera.
Stability/traction control, several airbags, and modern safety features like front collision warning are all available, making this an excellent choice for new drivers. High marks from regulatory agencies, including the NHTSA and the IIHS, have supported Rio’s safety credentials.
The Kia Rio is a cheap option for teenagers who want to save on petrol because of its efficient performance. It has responsive steering and a comfortable ride, making it a breeze to drive around town. The Rio is reasonably priced, making it a good pick for families with teenagers on a tight budget.
10. Chevrolet Volt (2014)
The Chevrolet Volt is a fuel-efficient option for environmentally conscious teenagers interested in hybrid technology. Its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) technology, modern design, and comfortable interior offer a unique driving experience for young drivers.
The Chevrolet Volt offers the best of both worlds with its electric motor and gasoline engine, making it ideal for daily commutes and longer trips. Regenerative braking boosts fuel efficiency, making it a versatile choice for environmentally-conscious teenagers.
The Chevrolet Volt’s well-equipped interior, advanced safety features, and favorable safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS make it a reliable choice for teenagers. Its touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, and rearview camera add to its convenience and safety features.
The Chevrolet Volt delivers impressive fuel economy, smooth ride, and responsive handling, making it a cost-effective and enjoyable option for teenagers. However, access to charging stations and regular charging may be required for optimal electric performance.
11. Nissan Versa (2016)
The Nissan Versa is a popular subcompact because of its low price and high MPG ratings. It has a comfortable cabin, a quiet ride, and an intuitive multimedia interface. Stability control, traction control, and numerous airbags are optional safety features on the Versa.
The Nissan Versa is an excellent option for young people on a budget who need a reliable car. Its pleasant interior has many useful standard features, and its style is straightforward but effective. The Versa’s small and economical engine makes it an excellent pick for new drivers.
The Versa’s cabin is spacious and ideal for long car rides and storing belongings. It has safety features, including airbags and a touchscreen infotainment system as standard equipment. Versa’s reputation for dependability makes it a good option for parents shopping for a car for their teen.
The Nissan Versa offers a comfortable ride, agile handling, and sufficient power for daily commutes, making it a practical option for teens. It prioritizes affordability, dependability, and fuel efficiency, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious young drivers.
12. Ford Fiesta (2017)
The Ford Fiesta is another low-cost and valuable subcompact car for new drivers. The cabin is plush and modern, and many convenient extras are included in the price.
The Fiesta’s engine options, including a simple four-cylinder, make it a good pick for new motorists just starting. It also has a comfortable cabin with high-tech conveniences, including a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, and a rearview camera.
In addition to the usual array of airbags and stability/traction controls, this model also offers a slew of high-tech extras like rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring as extras. The NHTSA and IIHS have given the Fiesta top safety ratings, further supporting the vehicle’s safety reputation.
The Ford Fiesta is affordable for teenagers because of its efficient performance and low petrol price. It has quick steering and dynamic suspension for a fun-to-drive experience and snappy handling. The Fiesta’s inexpensive pricing makes it a good choice for teenagers and their families.
Conclusion
Finding an affordable, secure, and dependable automobile for teen drivers can be a top priority for many families. Considerations such as safety features, dependability, affordability, and ease of maintenance should be made when selecting the finest inexpensive cars for teenagers.
Models such as the Honda Fit, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra are excellent for teenage drivers due to their high safety ratings, reasonable prices, and overall value. To ensure a safe and cost-effective driving experience for a teen, it is essential to conduct extensive research, consider individual needs, and place a premium on safety when choosing the best cheap car.
