There are several safe and economical solutions available if your kid wants to have his or her wheels even though no car can shield your teen from damage. The most important thing to remember is safety if you take nothing else away from this. That’s the top rating for each of our recommendations and the purpose of this list of nice affordable cars for teens.
Also, any car for a teenager should be relatively inexpensive to insure, maintain, and repair. It should (at least) have a driver’s airbag and be slow enough not to show off at high speeds.
I will note that I steer clear of most SUVs because they are more expensive to operate and maintain, are generally more difficult to drive and park due to their larger dimensions, and for the most part, are not as fun to drive.
As a high schooler parent, you need to shop or research a good looking car, whatever it is new or used. These cheap cool cars for teens are also easy to maintain and afford for the long run.
In this task, not only does price play an important role, but also safety. Worry not, here is a directory of the best and most affordable cars for teens available in 2023.
Whether you are buying a car for yourself as a teenager or a parent is helping you with the search, buying a car for the first time is an extremely exciting time and offers a path into adulthood.
Deciding which car to buy for the first time is not easy and many aspects need to be considered. Be it reliability, security or prices. In general, the best vehicles for teens and first-time drivers are smaller and more urban.
We cover all aspects and present the 7 top-rated nice affordable cars for young adults.
Table of Contents
1. 2017 Mazda3
- Price: $18,700
- Engine: 2.0 Liter / Inline 4 Cylinder
- Horsepower: 155 Hp
- Mileage: 26 city / 35 highway
The Toyota Corolla is a popular choice for inclusion in lists of cool cheap cars for teenage guys and with good reason. It’s been among the most dependable cars ever sold in America for decades, it’s reasonably priced, and there are probably hundreds of them sitting on used car lots within a few miles of anyone’s house.
However, suppose you’re a fan of the automobile and you hold the opinion that the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. Consider a Mazda3 if you enjoy driving and believe your child will do the same.
With communicative steering and a ride/handling balance that leans to the sporty side, it’s much more enjoyable to drive than a Corolla or even most Honda Civics.
2. 2017 Toyota Prius Prime
We’re going, to be honest with you. The Prius is unsightly. Furthermore, it’s not particularly enjoyable unless your idea of joy involves driving sparingly about fuel use. We would choose to travel in a Chevy Volt. But the Toyota Prius is effective.
Therefore, if your kid defines joy as driving to reduce fuel consumption—and there is nothing wrong with that at all—then the Prius is about as entertaining as it gets. You’ll see that this list lacks any fully electric cars.
However, the 2017–2019 Toyota Prius Prime does have a plug, indicating that it has a battery pack powerful enough to propel the car for at least some pure electric driving; anticipate travelling close to 25 miles per hour.
3. 2014 Subaru Outback
- Price: $17,500
- Engine: 2.5 Liter / Inline 4 Cylinder
- Horsepower: 173 Hp
- Mileage: 24 city / 30 highway
If your young driver qualifies for the Toyota Prius in every way but needs or wants an extra-large vehicle, have a look at the Outback.
For the 2014 model year, Subaru’s long-running and cherished raised all-wheel-drive wagon had a significant overhaul and an all-new stronger chassis, so that’s where we’d start our search.
The Subaru Outback is available with a variety of engine options, unlike the smaller vehicles on this list. Although its continuously variable automatic transmission drowns under constant acceleration, the standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder is probably more than powerful enough for novice drivers. Additionally offered is a 3.6-litre six-cylinder engine.
4. 2017 Volkswagen Passat
- Price: $22,995
- Engine: 1.8 Liter / Inline 4 Cylinder
- Horsepower: 280 Hp
- Mileage: 23 city / 34 highway
One of the most spacious interiors of any American sedan can be found in the Volkswagen Passat. With a back seat that compares favourably to many vehicles that have much larger outward dimensions, the Passat sits between a midsize and full-size vehicle.
When choosing a Passat for your young driver, we advise you to go for a 2018 or 2019 model with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automated transmission.
The third generation of the engine used in these Passat models fixes issues that existed in earlier iterations of the engine that VW and Audi shared.
5. 2016 Honda Accord
- Price: $6,995 to $34,998
- Engine: 3.5 Liter / V6
- Horsepower: 278 Hp
- Mileage: 27 city / 37 highway
The Honda Accord appears on every list of good cheap cars for teens that are highly recommended. It’s simple to comprehend why. For good reason, the Accord is among the best affordable cars for teens in America; durability, resale value, safety, technology, and driving dynamics are all advantages of the Accord.
With an Accord, it’s practically impossible to make a mistake, but we especially advise the 2016 and 2017 model years. Before being replaced in 2018, the ninth version of Honda’s midsize sedan had a mild facelift in 201.
And added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to its in-car entertainment system. It is the only two-door vehicle to reach the list and comes in coupe and sedan body styles.
6. 2018 Hyundai Kona
- Price: $22,450
- Engine: 2.0 Liter / Inline 4 Cylinder
- Horsepower: 175 Hp
- Mileage: 28 city / 32 highway
Teenagers choose sedans and hatchbacks because of their easy maneuverability, effective drivetrains, and low pricing. However, the crossover reigns supreme in America, so if that’s what you’re looking for affordable cars for teens, your young driver might like the Hyundai Kona.
The best of the two engines available for the Kona is turbocharged and has a lot of power. Some owners who reside in places with bad weather may find the all-wheel drive to be attractive.
The Kona has a lot of distinctive styling and vibrant hues, which could appeal to teens, unlike many other cars available in America.
7. 2017 Kia Sorento
- Price: $26,000
- Engine: 3.3 Liter / Inline V6
- Horsepower: 290 Hp
- Mileage: 21 city / 28 highway
Due to its possible third-row seat and large load space, the Kia Sorento offers greater utility than several smaller, well-liked crossovers. However, it isn’t as large as a truck-based SUV would be, especially in confined urban parking places.
The Kia Sorento may make a lot of sense for teen drivers as an intermediate vehicle. The Kia Sorento we’re recommending is from the model years 2016–2020. The 2017 and 2018 versions, which are quite nice, are recommended by the IIHS.
If you can find cool cheap cars for teenage guys in your price range, a refresh in 2019 makes those even more appealing.
FAQ
Q. 1) What is a good first car for a 15-year-old?
Ans. 1) The Honda Civic has been one of America’s best-selling small cars for years, with a winning combination of price, features, safety, reliability, and resale value. So it’s no surprise that it’s also one of the best first cars for a 15-year-old.
Q. 2) What’s a good budget for cheap cool cars for teens?
Ans. 2) Experts recommend that you spend between $5,000 and $10,000 on your first cool cheap cars for teenage guys. But honestly, it depends on what you can afford.
Conclusion
All of the cars listed above offer exactly what every teenager desires, whether it’s comfort, speed, performance, attractiveness, technology, sound, or safety.
Each of these cool cheap cars for teenagers, all of which are available at very reasonable prices, falls into the ideal teenage vehicle category.
- What Types of Windshield Damages Require Replacement Services - November 25, 2024
- Common Issues in Kia Picanto Cars - November 1, 2024
- What Makes Windshield Protection Film Essential for Outdoor Adventures - October 29, 2024
