For many families with teenage drivers, a new car just isn't in the budget.
According to an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety survey, 83 percent of parents who bought cars for their teen drivers said they purchased a used vehicle.
The IIHS has compiled a list of the safest, affordable used cars for teenage drivers. The recommendations are based on four principles: young drivers should avoid high horsepower; bigger, heavier vehicles are safer; Electronic stability control (ESC) is a must; and vehicles should have the best National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety rating possible.
The IIHS also recommends looking at the Vehicle Identification Number to check for outstanding recalls before buying a used vehicle.
Here are IIHS' best choice cars for your teenage driver under $20,000.
LARGE CARS
- Volvo S80
2007 and newer
$4,000 - Toyota Avalon
2015 and newer
$18,800 - Infiniti M37/M56/Q70
2013 and newer
$19,800
MIDSIZE CARS
- Dodge Avenger
2011-14
$5,300 - Chrysler 200 sedan
2011 and newer
$5,900 - Kia Optima
2011 and newer
$7,600 - Volkswagen Passat
2013 and newer; built after October 2012
$8,700 - Volkswagen Jetta
2015 and newer
$9,200 - Nissan Altima sedan
2013 and newer; built after November 2012
$9,500 - Ford Fusion
2013 and newer; built after December 2012
$9,600 - Volvo S60
2011 and newer
$9,800 - Subaru Legacy
2013 and newer; built after August 2012
$10,700 - Chevrolet Malibu
2014 and newer
$10,900 - Honda Accord sedan and coupe
2013 and newer
$11,100 - Toyota Camry
2014 and newer; built after December 2013
$11,200 - Mazda 6
2014 and newer
$11,400 - Hyundai Sonata
2015 and newer
$11,900 - Acura TL
2012-14; built after April 2012
$12,400 - Lincoln MKZ
2013 and newer
$13,300 - Subaru Outback
2013 and newer; built after August 2012
$13,600 - Chevrolet Malibu Limited
2016
$13,700 - Toyota Prius v
2015 and newer
$16,300 - Volvo V60
2015 and newer
$18,400 - Audi A3
2015 and newer
$18,500 - Infiniti Q50
2014-15
$19,100
SMALL SUVS MODEL YEARS PRICE
- Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
2011 and newer
$6,900 - Mitsubishi Outlander
2014 and newer
$10,700 - Chevrolet Trax
2015 and newer
$11,800 - Fiat 500X
2016 and newer; built after July 2015
$12,600 - Nissan Rogue
2014 and newer
$12,900 - Buick Encore
2015 and newer
$13,800 - Subaru Forester
2014 and newer
$14,900 - Honda CR-V
2015 and newer
$15,600 - Hyundai Tucson
2016 and newer
$16,000 - Toyota RAV4
2015 and newer
$16,000 - Mazda CX-3
2016 and newer
$16,600
MIDSIZE SUVS
- Volvo XC90
2005 and newer
$2,500 - Ford Flex
2010 and newer; built after January 2010
$7,200 - Chevrolet Equinox
2014 and newer
$12,100 - GMC Terrain
2014 and newer
$13,300 - Nissan Pathfinder
2015 and newer
$15,800 - Kia Sorento
2016 and newer
$16,500 - Volvo XC60
2013 and newer
$16,500 - Ford Edge
2015 and newer; built after May 2015
$17,400 - Nissan Murano
2015 and newer
$19,100
MINIVANS
- Kia Sedona
2015 and newer
$14,700 - Honda Odyssey
2014 and newer
$16,100 - Toyota Sienna
2015 and newer
$18,100
PICKUP
- Toyota Tundra extended cab
2014 and newer
$15,600
The IIHS has also compiled a list of "Good Choices" vehicles for teens starting under $10,000. You can see that list here.
