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Your teenager is precious cargo. And if you’re a teenager, you should know that everyone in your family and circle of trusted friends feels that way about you. As such, the best cars for teens in 2024 are affordable, on the less powerful side, and above all else, safe. Here are five of the best new cars for teens in 2024.

These are some of the very best cars for teens from the new market– but a young driver might be better off in a used model

Getting a license and a first car is a big, big deal for young drivers. Where mobility was once constituted by mass transit and hopping in with friends and family, there lies freedom and a sense of autonomy. I mean, everyone remembers the feeling. You hop into your car by yourself and hit the road, captain of your own vessel. It’s a momentous experience.

But the vessel in question could easily become a nightmare if it’s not the right ride. For instance, a teen driver in a late-model Ford Mustang GT is a recipe for disaster. Instead, the best cars for teens are reserved, sensible, safe vehicles. Here are a few of the new rides on the market just right for a teen driver.

  • 2025 Honda Civic
  • 2024 Honda HR-V
  • 2024 Hyundai Kona
  • 2024 Hyundai Elantra
  • 2024 Toyota Prius

For starters, the Honda Civic and HR-V are two of the brand’s more affordable options. Better yet, the sedan and the small SUV earned Top Safety Pick+ ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2024 Hyundai Kona earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating. While the Elantra didn’t quite match its larger sibling’s safety rating, both vehicles offer the brand’s industry-leading five-year, 60,000-mile basic warranty. 

Finally, the 2024 Toyota Prius earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating in addition to its teen-friendly counterparts. Better yet, with a combined EPA fuel economy of around 57 mpg, the latest Prius is a fuel sipper of the highest order. However, with a starting price of nearly $30,000, the Prius is far from a cheap first car for young motorists.

Of course, it should be said that a new car might not be the best option for a young driver. Teenage motorists are much more likely to make simple driving errors and cause damage to their vehicles. That said, a post-depreciation, dependable used car with a top-tier safety rating is likely the best option for a young motorist, like a late-model Toyota Avalon.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).