The Best SUVs for New Drivers: Safe, Practical, and Fun to Drive
Looking for a safe, new SUV for a young driver? These sport utility vehicles from Honda and Hyundai have all of the features and technology shoppers might want. The best SUVs for new drivers also have relevant safety scores and awards listed.
The best SUVs for new drivers include the Honda CR-V
What makes an SUV suitable for young drivers? U.S. News says the 2022 Honda CR-V is safe, offers plenty of room, and won’t break the bank. All-wheel drive is available for those who might want it, but it decreases fuel economy. With front-wheel drive, the CR-V gets 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. All-wheel drive is 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.
Some of the standard safety systems include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and road departure mitigation are also standard.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2022 CR-V a five-star overall safety rating. It also received the Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety when equipped with LED reflector headlights on the Touring and Hybrid Touring trim.
Hyundai’s Tucson is another one of the best SUVs for new drivers
There is plenty to like about the 2023 Hyundai Tucson. It has a revamped exterior design and updated technology. Hyundai offers a range of engine options, such as the Hybrid, which gets 38 mpg combined. Inside, a touchscreen infotainment system, wireless charging, and advanced safety features make it a great family vehicle.
Some standard driver-assistance features include Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and Lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist. Forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection and forward automatic emergency braking are also included, making it one of the best SUVs for new drivers.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2023 Tucson a five-star overall safety rating. It also received the Top Safety Pick Plus award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The compact Hyundai Kona is a fuel-efficient option
One of the best SUVs for new drivers is the 2023 Hyundai Kona, thanks to all the included features. With a combination of value and quality, drivers will be happy with the Kona’s fuel-efficient and comfortable cabin. Hyundai offers the 2023 Konda with three different engine choices: base, 1.6L turbo, and 2.0L turbo. With the front-wheel drive base option, the SUV gets 30 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel drive model gets 28 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
Some of the standard features on the 2023 Kona include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning are also standard.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Kona a five-star overall safety rating, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also gave it high scores.
The year isn’t quite as important for these options on the list of best SUVs for new drivers. 2022 and 2023 have very similar offerings, and due to supply chain constraints, some SUVs might be harder to find than others.
