Back to school: Tips for choosing the right vehicle for a young driver

For some students, going back to school may mean getting a new or new-to-them set of wheels. There are many factors to consider in choosing the right model for a young driver, though a used car is a smart place to start. A 2-3 year-old pre-owned vehicle can be a good value since it likely still has some factory warranty left and usually comes with cheaper insurance and taxes than a new vehicle. In addition, a used vehicle has already taken its biggest hit in depreciation and there may be less family stress over preserving it in showroom-caliber condition.

Buying used is often a way to get a better-equipped vehicle than you'd be able to afford new. Features such as electronic stability control, side curtain air bags, and antilock brakes are important especially for an inexperienced driver. These valued safety features will be more readily found on recent models. Buying a car for a young person is a compromise on features, style, and budget, but you should jump through hoops to buy a vehicle with the most safety features you can afford, plus good crash protection. Our model overview pages present crash test results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as well as our own dynamic test findings. 

Reliability is another key consideration when looking for a used car. You want a car that will last long and have few problems.

To make your search simple, see our list of best and worst used cars to find the most reliable vehicles that also scored well in our testing. Or target the best used cars for under $20,000. 

Besides safety and reliability, young drivers need versatility to transport luggage, furniture, and people—especially those who are heading off to college. Sedans and hatchbacks are good choices that offer additional cargo space when the rear seats are folded and roomier trunks. We do not recommend your young driver get into SUVs or pickups since they can have trickier handling and are more prone to rollovers. Sporty cars are too tempting to be driven fast and have a high crash and insurance rates. Plus, their fuel economy lags behind smaller vehicles.

Check out our list of recommended cars for teens and our best used car deals to find the models that will best suit your needs and wallet.

—Liza Barth

Comments

[david]

Another aspect that I believe needs to discuss more is teen (or adult for that matter) driver's education. So much time and effort have been made to make cars safer, but I rarely hear driver's education program. High school driver's education just teaches the basics. Most driver's education programs are in class - that is like teaching someone to swim or to improve swimming by reading a book.

[everett whitney]

To "ALL" . . .

At the risk of "outrage" - this Global Economy & the likelihood of it staying for many more Seasons / the next Presidency for our nation, etc., this IS definitely time to consider "giving up" the age-old past time or rite-of-passage of providing a private or dedicated vehicle to ANY high school student!

The probably financial ruin wrought by teen drivers upon any parent CAN be far worse than the scheduling mess / literal impossibilities of "doing' all the 101 after regular school activities!

Cars will not make for perfect or academically-superior students!

everett

[Ben]

I'm not quite sure why Consumer Reports thinks that the majority of its readers can afford a newer car for their kid. Most middle class families will likely give the teen a hand-me-down or buy something that's 10 years old. Obviously new cars are safer but practically speaking we can't all afford $12,000 for that "top safety pick" rated 2006 VW Jetta.

[DennisC]

Echoing the above comment, "under $20K" is so far from what the reality of most families can afford for a mostly-unnecessary car; for whom was this article written? Surely not the sensible family that only wants to offer their child some convenience.
Rather than support the upscale newer-used-car market, let's focus on the handmedown or Craigslist junker that kids may be more likely to be attracted to.
Qualifying such low-priced vehicles for safety and affordability (and not blatant consumerism) is reality. How about discussing the real issue: teen accidents - driving while distracted (iPods, cell phones, car stereos) or driving with other teens (friends) in the car, or joyriding. We should be concerned with that rather than finding a newer, flashy car for inexperienced drivers.

[Bob]

The issue is that states allow teenagers to get their permits too soon... why not let them get a learner's permit only when society considers them mature enough to drink responsibly... at age 18? Getting a driving license is also too easy, but that's a different topic of discussion.

[Mark Gerard]

I agree that most teenager's first cars are likely in the 10 year old category. CU's emphasis seeems to be on safety, but you can't have all the bells and whistles if you're on a budget. In addition, the teen's cars have to be something they WANT to drive....I doubt if many teens would want to own a Volvo, despite how "safe" they are supposed to be. Here in the midwest, it is practically mandatory that teens have their own cars, as there is no public transportation to get them to school, and the schools are cutting back their bussing services due to budget considerations. Teens here are still allowed to drive to school at age 14 and get their full licenses at 16. I disagree with raising the driving age to 18, as kids need to get the hands-on experience, and I want them to have a few years of driving experience before sending them off to college.

[Jim Riggs]

The best car for a teen is one that they work and pay for

[hgvlgv]

Legislation has changed here in the UK. Persons aged 18 can now drive all classes of Heavy Goods Vehicles. What are the rules in the States?