Insurance Institute’s recommended used cars for teens
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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released its first list of recommended used vehicles for teens Wednesday after finding in a survey of 500 parents that 83% bought a used, rather than new, car for their teen to drive.
The institute reviewed crash ratings and safety features -- such as electronic stability control systems -- for used cars and then obtained price data from Kelley Blue Book to build its list.
The insurance group found that, on average, parents spend about $9,800 on a car for a teen. But the median point of car purchases for teens is far lower, at just $5,300.
Prices on the “best choices” list start at $7,300, while the least expensive “good choice” is $4,000.
BEST CHOICES:
Recommended used vehicles for teens starting under $20,000
LARGE CARS | MIDSIZE CARS | SMALL SUVs | MIDSIZE SUVs | LARGE SUVs | MINIVANS
Vehicles on this list earn good ratings in the IIHS moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests. If rated by NHTSA, they earn 4 or 5 stars overall or 4 or 5 stars in the front and side tests under the old rating scheme. All come with standard ESC.
Prices, rounded to the nearest $100, were taken from Kelley Blue Book on July 1, 2014, for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year based on the following criteria: vehicle in good condition, typical mileage and private party purchase in Arlington, Va.
| LARGE CARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Years | Price |
| Saab 9-5 sedan | 2010 and later | $17,500 |
| Lincoln MKS | 2009 and later | $15,500 |
| Buick Regal | 2011 and later | $13,500 |
| Ford Taurus | 2010 and later | $13,500 |
| Buick LaCrosse | 2010 and later | $12,900 |
| Volvo S80 | 2007 and later | $9,000 |
| MIDSIZE CARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Years | Price |
| Toyota Prius v | 2012 and later | $19,100 |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan | 2009 and later | $16,000 |
| Honda Accord sedan | 2012 and later | $14,400 |
| Audi A4 | 2009 and later | $14,300 |
| Toyota Camry | 2012 and later | $14,300 |
| Buick Verano | 2012 and later | $14,100 |
| Subaru Outback | 2010 and later | $14,000 |
| Lincoln MKZ | built after April 2010 and later | $13,500 |
| Kia Optima | 2011 and later | $13,300 |
| Hyundai Sonata | 2011 and later | $12,100 |
| Subaru Legacy | 2010 and later | $11,900 |
| Dodge Avenger | 2011 and later | $11,600 |
| Audi A3 | 2008 and later | $11,300 |
| Volkswagen CC | 2009 and later | $11,200 |
| Chevy Malibu | built after Nov. 2009 and later | $10,900 |
| Chrysler 200 sedan | 2011 and later | $10,700 |
| Mercury Milan | built after April 2010 and later | $10,700 |
| Ford Fusion | built after April 2010 and later | $10,200 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 2009 and later | $10,000 |
| Volvo C30 | 2008 and later | $9,800 |
| Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen | 2009 and later | $9,400 |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 2009 and later | $8,200 |
| SMALL SUVs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Years | Price |
| Honda CR-V | 2012 and later | $18,100 |
| Kia Sportage | 2011 and later | $13,800 |
| Hyundai Tucson | 2010 and later | $13,100 |
| Subaru Forester | 2009 and later | $12,800 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | 2011 and later | $12,000 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | 2009 and later | $10,200 |
| Honda Element | 2007 and later | $8,900 |
| MIDSIZE SUVs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Years | Price |
| Volvo XC60 | 2010 and later | $18,000 |
| Saab 9-4X | 2011-12 | $17,800 |
| Toyota Highlander | 2008 and later | $17,100 |
| Toyota Venza | 2009 and later | $15,900 |
| Ford Edge | built after Feb 2011 and later | $15,500 |
| Ford Flex | 2010 and later | $15,100 |
| GMC Terrain | 2010 and later | $14,900 |
| Kia Sorento | 2011 and later | $14,500 |
| Infiniti EX | 2008 and later | $14,400 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | 2010 and later | $13,700 |
| Dodge Journey | 2010 and later | $11,200 |
| Subaru Tribeca/B9 Tribeca | 2006 and later | $8,500 |
| Volvo XC90 | 2005 and later | $7,300 |
| LARGE SUVs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Years | Price |
| Buick Enclave | 2011 and later | $19,900 |
| GMC Acadia | 2011 and later | $17,800 |
| Chevrolet Traverse | 2011 and later | $16,600 |
| MINIVANS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Years | Price |
| Chrysler Town & Country | 2012 and later | $18,100 |
| Honda Odyssey | 2011 and later | $17,100 |
| Toyota Sienna | 2011 and later | $16,400 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan | 2012 and later | $15,200 |
| Volkswagen Routan | 2012 | $14,000 |
GOOD CHOICES:
Recommended used vehicles for teens starting under $10,000
LARGE CARS | MIDSIZE CARS | SMALL SUVs | MIDSIZE SUVs | MINIVANS
Vehicles on this list earn good ratings in the IIHS moderate overlap front test and good or acceptable ratings in the side test. If rated by NHTSA, they earn 4 or 5 stars overall or 4 or 5 stars in the front and side tests under the old rating scheme. They also have standard electronic stability control and a better-than-poor rating for head restraints and seats.
Prices, rounded to the nearest $100, were taken from Kelley Blue Book on July 1, 2014, for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year based on the following criteria: vehicle in good condition, typical mileage and private party purchase in Arlington, Va.
| LARGE CARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Years | Price |
| Acura RL | 2005 and later | $9,700 |
| Mercury Sable | 2009 | $9,700 |
| Kia Amanti | 2009 | $9,500 |
| Ford Taurus | 2009 | $9,100 |
| Audi A6 sedan | 2005 and later | $8,300 |
| Hyundai Azera | 2006 and later | $5,700 |
| MIDSIZE CARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Years | Price |
| Subaru Legacy | 2009 | $9,900 |
| BMW 3-series sedan | 2006 and later | $8,900 |
| Mazda 6 | 2009 and later | $8,900 |
| Saturn Aura | 2009 | $8,800 |
| Acura TL | 2004 and later | $7,900 |
| Volvo S40 | 2007 and later | $7,700 |
| Audi A3 | 2006-07 | $7,400 |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 2005-08 | $6,900 |
| Suzuki Kizashi | 2010 and later | $6,600 |
| Volvo S60 | 2007-09 | $6,500 |
| Audi A4 | built after Oct. 2004 to 2008 | $6,200 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 2006-08 | $5,100 |
| Saab 9-3 | 2005 and later | $4,000 |
| SMALL SUVs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Years | Price |
| Nissan Rogue | 2008 and later | $9,800 |
| Ford Escape | 2009 and later | $8,700 |
| Mazda Tribute | 2009 and later | $8,100 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 2007 and later | $6,300 |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 2006 and later | $5,600 |
| MIDSIZE SUVs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Years | Price |
| Mazda CX-9 | 2007 and later | $9,800 |
| Ford Edge | 2007-10 | $9,600 |
| Hyundai Veracruz | 2007 and later | $9,600 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 2007-10 | $8,900 |
| Honda Pilot | 2006 and later | $8,800 |
| Saturn Vue | 2008-09 | $7,700 |
| Ford Taurus X | 2008-09 | $7,500 |
| Mazda CX-7 | 2007-11 | $7,200 |
| Suzuki XL7 | 2008-09 | $6,200 |
| MINIVANS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Years | Price |
| Volkswagen Routan | 2009-11 | $8,600 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan | 2008-11 | $8,200 |
| Chrysler Town & Country | 2008-11 | $8,100 |
| Honda Odyssey | 2005-10 | $6,700 |
| Hyundai Entourage | 2007-08 | $6,300 |
| Kia Sedona | 2006 and later | $4,600 |
Note: Some listed models include a "built after" date. This applies when a manufacturer makes changes to improve safety in the middle of a model year. Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured can be found on the certification label typically affixed to the driver door or near it.
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