Affordable and Reliable: Best Used SUVs for Teen Drivers Under $15k
If anyone is worth finding a reliable SUV for, your new teenage driver is it. These are some of the best used SUVs for teen drivers from brands you trust, like Honda, Toyota, and Mazda. All of the sport utility vehicles below have good safety scores from national groups, but some require specific packages or trim levels to get the best protection.
What is one of the best used SUVs for teen drivers from Honda?
Kelley Blue Book gave a rundown of the best used SUVs for teen drivers, and the 2015 Honda CR-V had plenty to offer. In fact, the CR-V was one of the original compact SUVs on the market. This Honda looks nice from the outside but also has plenty of space in the interior. Comfortable seats and good fuel economy are just additions.
For teen drivers, the 28 mpg combined means fewer trips to the gas station. The 185 hp is enough to power the SUV around town but not enough to cause trouble. Most people find the CR-V easy to drive, but it is also safe enough for your teen.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2015 CR-V its Top Safety Pick award. If you can find one equipped with the optional Collision Mitigation Braking System, it earned the highest scores on the crashworthiness tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave it a four-star safety rating.
Mazda’s CX-5 is one of the best used SUVs for teen drivers
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 checks all of the boxes for one of the best used SUVs for teen drivers. With room for five passengers and a reputation for being a joy to drive, the CX-5 is an excellent option for teenagers or any driver. All five seats are comfortable, and the 64.8 cubic feet of cargo space is plenty.
Mazda’s fuel economy for the 2016 CX-5 sits between 26 and 29 mpg combined. Along with its above-average reliability, the SUV has enough positives to make any driver happy. It can even tow 2,000 pounds.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2016 Mazda CX-5 its Top Safety Pick Plus award when equipped with the optional i-Activsense Package. This adds Smart Brake Support and Smart City Brake Support, which offer superior vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also gave it a four-star overall safety rating.
Toyota has another good used SUV for teenagers
Going down in the budget, the 2009 Toyota RAV4 is more like $10,000, but still one of the best used SUVs for teen drivers. If you still need a reliable and safe option that your new driver can take around town, this year of the RAV4 is a good option. Back in 2009, this SUV was available in a five or seven-passenger configuration. Either one offered plenty of cargo space for the everyday vehicle.
Toyota equipped the 2009 RAV4 with traction control, enhanced stability control, and anti-lock brakes. It came with 179 or 269 hp, which was plenty to keep up with traffic. Even back in 2009, the RAV4 earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick award.
These are some of the best used SUVs for teen drivers that still come in under $15,000. If you can find the specific versions noted above, these offer the best protection and safety scores. While it might be a little harder to find, those systems add value.
