Searching for a automotive or truck could be worrying, and that is doubly true once you’re procuring in your teen son or daughter. These in search of info on the very best automobiles to purchase for his or her teenage drivers have any variety of respected sources that supply strong suggestions. Happily, the safety-minded Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security, a company that focuses on crash-testing autos and reporting the outcomes to American shoppers, has run the numbers on moderately priced autos for teen drivers.
The IIHS partnered up with Shopper Studies to publish an inventory of autos which are anticipated to be each dependable and secure, incomes good rankings in its personal average overlap entrance, facet, roof energy and head restraint checks, and an excellent or acceptable score within the driver-side small overlap entrance check. Additionally they cross-referenced their picks with crash-test knowledge from the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration to make sure any really helpful autos obtained both four- or five-star outcomes from the federal security company.
Armed with that knowledge, we break down a few of our personal strategies based mostly on what’s vital to oldsters and/or their children. In spite of everything, with nicely over 40 autos in each measurement and form making the record from the IIHS, we determine some dad and mom might wish to slim down the sector a bit. With out additional ado, listed here are our strategies for the very best automobiles for teenagers accessible for an inexpensive $20,000 price range.
Finest automobiles for teenagers:
2014-2020 Mazda3
A lot of lists for the very best automobiles for teenagers will focus in on the Toyota Corolla, and for good motive. It’s been one of the crucial dependable autos ever offered in America for many years, it’s moderately inexpensive, and there’s sure to be dozens of them on used automotive heaps inside just a few miles of anybody’s residence. However let’s say you’re an automotive fanatic who believes the apple doesn’t land removed from the tree. In the event you prefer to drive and assume your child will comply with in your footsteps, take into account a Mazda3 as an alternative. It’s much more enjoyable to drive than a Corolla and even most Honda Civics, with communicative steering and a trip/dealing with stability that leans to the sporty facet.
To be able to get probably the most security gear and finest styling, we’d counsel aiming for a 2017 or later mannequin if yow will discover one in your value vary.
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2013-2019 Chevrolet Volt
The Chevrolet Volt is greater than only a fuel-sipping different to the Toyota Prius (Be aware that the Prius Prime was on this record, however was eliminated as its value has crept up too excessive). As a result of it has a plug, the Volt’s giant(ish) onboard battery pack can retailer sufficient juice to energy the automobile for greater than 30 miles per cost. After that, the Chevy Volt nonetheless operates as an environment friendly hybrid automobile. Regardless of its sedan-shaped shell, the Volt is definitely a four-seat hatchback.
The Chevy Volt is without doubt one of the finest used-car bargains in America, whether or not you are searching for a teen or simply wish to park a strong commuter automotive in your driveway.
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2018 Subaru Impreza sedan or wagon
In the event you stay within the snowbelt or another space that commonly offers with inclement climate or muddy circumstances, the Subaru Impreza could also be an excellent wager in your teen driver. It comes normal with Subaru’s well-regarded Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive know-how and gives good visibility. It’s not as environment friendly as a few of its rivals, nonetheless, which implies its dirty-duty capabilities don’t come with out some sacrifice.
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2014-2019 Subaru Outback
Subaru’s long-running and much-loved lifted all-wheel-drive wagon obtained a significant replace and an all-new stiffer chassis for the 2014 mannequin yr, and that’s the place we’d begin our search.
In contrast to the smaller automobiles on this record, the Subaru Outback is obtainable with a variety of engine choices. The bottom 2.5-liter four-cylinder is probably going loads highly effective sufficient for brand spanking new drivers, although its constantly variable computerized transmission does drone below regular acceleration. A 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine can also be accessible.
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2017-2019 Volkswagen Passat
The Volkswagen Passat gives one of many roomiest interiors of any sedan in America. Actually, the Passat straddles the road between midsize and fullsize, with a rear seat that compares favorably with numerous automobiles which have way more sizable exterior dimensions.
In the event you resolve the Passat is the fitting alternative in your teen driver, we’d advocate in search of a 2018 or 2019 mannequin with the two.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed computerized transmission. Older variations of the engine, shared between VW and Audi, had issues that had been addressed within the third era of the engine present in these Passat fashions.
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2014-2019 Mazda6
Like many Mazdas, the midsize 6 sedan is without doubt one of the most fun-to-drive autos in its section. For any variety of causes, although, Mazda merchandise simply haven’t got the identical type of stellar repute amongst used-car consumers as competing merchandise from the likes of Honda and Toyota. Which means a fairly good Mazda6 might fall into the under-$20,000 price range of this record. It is price noting that the final time we seemed over decisions, the Honda Accord featured prominently. It appears that evidently used Accords are getting priced out of this fascinating value vary.
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2018 Kia Niro
Kia made a very good move when it launched a crossover automobile that prioritized gas effectivity and a number of powertrain choices with enticing styling and affordable pricing. The Niro is offered in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and pure electrical types. The one we’re highlighting right here is the PHEV, which might run round 26 miles on a completely charged battery earlier than its gasoline engine switches on the preserve the automotive shifting. In the actual world, we discovered the Kia Niro PHEV a compelling bundle when it was new again in 2018, and it stays a strong alternative as a primary automotive in your teen.
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2015-newer Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V has been on the best-sellers record for so long as most of us can keep in mind, and for good motive. It strikes wonderful balances between roominess and exterior dimensions, sportiness and effectivity. It is also fairly dependable, in line with sources that monitor that type of knowledge. Actually, in case you discover a well-priced and well-equipped CR-V in your space, having a look at it’s a no-brainer.
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2016 or newer Toyota Tacoma
There’s just one pickup truck on the record that matches the factors set out by the IIHS and Shopper Studies, and, not surprisingly, it is the Toyota Tacoma. With a well-earned repute for reliability and sturdiness (older fashions had points with body rust, however that is much less seemingly with a 2016 or newer truck), the Tacoma has lengthy been the midsize pickup truck gross sales chief in America. To discover a used Tacoma for lower than $20,000, you may want to contemplate pickups with larger miles than you may choose. You might also have to have a look at base or SR5 trims as an alternative of the higher or TRD fashions. We additionally counsel taking a Toyota Tacoma for a check drive earlier than committing to a purchase order — the inside dimensions are awkward for some drivers, with cramped headroom and a legs-forward seating association that is not comfy for some folks.
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Can you purchase a brand new automotive for lower than $20,000 in your teen driver?
Sure, technically, you possibly can. However we would not actually advocate it. There are presently three new automobiles on sale in America with a retail value beneath the $20,000 threshold: the Nissan Versa, the Kia Rio and the Mitsubishi Mirage. Of the three, we predict the Nissan Versa might be the very best purchase. However one of many used fashions listed above is prone to be a safer wager for the same, or seemingly even smaller, amount of cash.
In search of shopping for recommendation on different moderately priced autos? Finest New Vehicles Below $20,000