How to find the right car for your teen in 2023

It's a highly anticipated (and scary) time in a parent’s life: Your son or daughter has just turned 16 and is about to get their driver’s license.

Or maybe they're going off to college and will need their first vehicle. But what's the best car for a teen driver? Will you let them use the family vehicle or buy them a new or used one? New cars have more and better safety features, warranties, and are likely to be more reliable than cars even just a few years old. If you’re in the market for something new, how do you pick a safe car that meets your needs and budget?

Your teen might want a fast sports car or a big SUV. That’s understandable, but those aren’t the best match for new drivers. For one thing, teens may struggle to control their impulses, and buying them a sporty car might be an invitation to drive aggressively. Insurance costs are likely to be much higher, too. And big SUVs can be harder to control, especially for new drivers, and more prone to rolling over at their handling limits.

AAA recommends considering small or midsized sedans and crossover SUVs with available advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), automatic transmissions, and high crash-test scores.
 

• A midsized car—based on EPA interior volume classification—is big enough to protect occupants in a crash but small enough for a new driver to handle easily.
  
• A crossover can be a good alternative to a midsized car. With their higher seating position, crossovers afford a better view of the road.
• Cars with automatic transmissions are easier to drive, allowing teens to focus on steering, proper speed, and braking.
  
• Another important consideration is visibility. Many vehicles have good front visibility, but large C-pillars and small rear windows can greatly reduce side and rear visibility.
• Many states have graduated driver's license laws that limit when teen drivers can have young passengers. Even if your state doesn't, new drivers can easily get distracted by friends along for the ride. If your teen is driving a vehicle that can seat a lot of people (like a minivan), discourage them from having large numbers of friends ride with them. 
• Traffic crashes are the leading cause of teen deaths. A car with a high crash-test score could reduce the chance of your teen being killed or seriously injured in a crash.

Our recommended models for a teen's first car, from the AAA Car Guide

The Automotive Research Center, operated by the Automobile Club of Southern California, has developed the following list of 2022 and 2023 models that meet the above criteria. Crash-test scores come from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS); we chose only vehicles with a 4- or 5-star overall rating from NHTSA or an IIHS Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS.

All have a base price under $50,000; 23 of the vehicles have a base price under $40,000. For comparison, the current average price of a new vehicle is around $42,000. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices listed are for 2022 and 2023 base-model vehicles with automatic transmissions, including destination charges.

You may want to consider all-wheel drive for your teen’s new car, especially if you live in an area with a lot of rain and snow, because it improves traction in poor weather. Finally, avoid cars with too many electronic gadgets or complicated controls, as they can distract teens from the task at hand.