Here are the safest, most affordable used cars for teen drivers, according to recent research

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Shopping for a car is hard.

It’s even harder when that car is for your teen driver, as most parents obviously want to get something safe, but don’t want to break the bank on their kid’s first ride.

Couple that with the ongoing microchip shortage that has limited inventories and driven prices through the roof, and finding the right car at the right price can feel like a nightmare.

Luckily for prospective buyers, Consumer Reports has teamed up with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to create a list of the safest, most affordable used cars for teen drivers.

“We know firsthand how difficult it is to find the vehicle you want these days because we buy most of the vehicles that we crash-test from dealers just like everyone else,” said IIHS Chief Research Officer David Zuby. “We hope this list takes some of the stress out of car shopping by identifying lots of safe, reliable options at reasonable prices.”

The list of 49 vehicles, ranging from approximately $6,000 to $19,900, includes Good Choices and Best Choices, with the Best Choices offering slightly more safety than the Good Choices.

However, all vehicles in the Good Choices or Best Choices categories meet the following requirements: standard electronic stability control (ESC); above-average reliability based on Consumer Reports surveys; average or better score on the Consumer Reports emergency handling test; dry braking distances of less than 145 feet from 60 mph in Consumer Report’s brake tests; four or five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; good ratings in four IIHS crashworthiness tests — moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints.

“As the pandemic has altered both the way people travel and the way they spend, demand for reliable used cars is notably high — meaning it may be more challenging to make your budget meet your needs,” said Jennifer Stockburger, director of operations at the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center. “This list is designed to help you stretch your dollars further.”

No sports cars were included on the list due to the potential temptation of the high horsepower, with mini-cars left off due to safety concerns, and large SUVs not included due to their increased handling difficulty.

Here’s a look at the safest, most affordable used cars for teen drivers, according to Consumer Report and IIHS:

BEST CHOICES

Small cars

Ford C-Max Hybrid – 2014-2015 – $8,400

Mazda 3 sedan or hatchback – 2014 or newer – $8,700

Chevrolet Volt – 2014 – $10,500

Subaru Impreza sedan or wagon – 2015, 2018-2020 – $11,000

Toyota Corolla hatchback – 2019 or newer – $18,700

Honda Insight – 2019 or newer – $19,800

Subaru Crosstrek – 2018 or newer – $19,900

Midsize Cars

Subaru Legacy – 2013 or newer; built after August 2012 – $8,300

Subaru Outback – 2013 or newer; built after August 2012 – $8,800

Volkswagen Passat – 2015, 2017 – $10,400

Mazda 6 – 2014-2019 – $10,800

Toyota Prius v – 2015-2017 – $12,400

Lincoln MKZ – 2015 or newer – $13,200

Volvo S60 – 2018 – $19,100

Audi A6 – 2016-2019 – $19,400

Large cars

Toyota Avalon – 2015 or newer – $15,700

Hyundai Genesis – 2016 – $18,100

Small SUVs

Mazda CX-5 – 2014 or newer; built after October 2013 – $10,200

Honda CR-V – 2015 or newer – $14,900

Hyundai Kona – 2018, 2021 – $18,100

Mazda CX-3 – 2019 – $19,200

Volvo XC60 – 2017 – $19,400

Midsize SUVs

Ford Edge – 2015, 2020; built after May 2015 – $12,900

Nissan Murano – 2015 or newer – $14,700

Chevrolet Equinox – 2017 – $15,600

GMC Terrain – 2017 – $16,000

Lexus NX – 2015 or newer – $16,700

Hyundai Santa Fe – 2017-2019; built after March 2016 – $17,800

Toyota Highlander – 2014 or newer – $17,800

Minivans

Toyota Sienna – 2015-2018 – $14,700

Kia Sedona – 2017 – $15,200

Honda Odyssey – 2017, 2020 or newer – $17,100

GOOD CHOICES

Small cars

Mazda 3 sedan or hatchback – 2011-2013; built after December 2010 – $6,000

Honda Civic sedan – 2012-2015, 2019 or newer – $7,100

Toyota Prius – 2011 or newer – $8,100

Chevrolet Volt – 2013 – $8,800

Toyota Corolla sedan – 2014 or newer – $10,900

Lexus CT200h – 2012-2013 – $11,100

Midsize cars

Toyota Prius v – 2012-2014 – $8,500

Toyota Camry – 2012 or newer – $9,400

Honda Accord sedan – 2012 or newer or coupe 2013 or newer – $9,900

Volkswagen Jetta – 2016 – $10,900

Ford Fusion – 2015, 2018 – $12,200

BMW 3 series sedan – 2016 – $14,500

Nissan Altima – 2017, 2020 – $14,700

Large cars

Ford Taurus – 2011 – $6,300

Hyundai Genesis – 2011 – $6,900

Toyota Avalon – 2011-2014 – $9,400

Small SUVs

Nissan Rogue – 2014-2020 – $11,000

Prices are provided by Kelley Blue Book, rounded to the nearest $100, as of Apr. 28.

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