How to choose the best car for your teen driver

(BPT) - Your teenager just got his or her driver's license - congratulations! Having another driver in the family can be a big help to parents. You no longer have to ferry your child to activities and lessons, and your newly minted driver can help shuttle around younger kids in the family. Did you forget an ingredient for dinner? Now you can send your teen to the grocery store! But with all the excitement also comes worry. If you're like many parents, you don't rest easy until the car safely pulls back into your driveway.

That worry is not unfounded. According to the United States Department of Transportation, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for kids between the ages of 15 and 18 in this country - new drivers, in other words. There are a lot of dangers out there on the road, including weather, other drivers and accidents just waiting to happen. Most of it is beyond your control. That's why it's vital to do what you can to keep your child safe when he or she is behind the wheel, and it all starts with the car they're driving.

How do you choose the best car for your teen driver? A flashy car may be great for a kid's ego, but when it comes to teen driving, safety is the most important concern. And because no family budget is the same, rest assured that quality safety features can be found at a variety of price points. Here are some tips on choosing the best car for your new teen driver, from the pros at Kelley Blue Book.

Safety features are essential. Whether you're shopping for a new or used car, look for models equipped with these recommended must-haves:

• Front, side and curtain airbags to protect the driver and passengers during collisions.
• Anti-lock brake systems (ABS) prevent wheels from locking up during braking, thereby helping your teen maintain control of the vehicle.
• Backup cameras make it safer when going in reverse.
• Blind spot alerts and monitoring systems warn drivers when vehicles are in their blind spots.
• Lane departure alerts warn drivers when they're veering out of their lane.
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) monitors the car's steering, wheel speed and acceleration to prevent skids and loss of traction.
• Forward collision warning works with front automatic braking to monitor what's in front of the car and your speed. If it senses an imminent crash, it sounds an alert; if the driver doesn't respond, it automatically applies the brakes.

Avoid certain types of cars. Tiny city cars may be popular for their lower price point and great gas mileage, but they simply do not provide as much protection in a crash as a sedan or small SUV. On the opposite end of the spectrum, large SUVs or pickup trucks may provide "more car" around your teen, but they may be too big for your teen to handle and difficult to park - not to mention, the fuel economy issue. High-horsepower cars may be a thrilling idea for some teens, but usually increased horsepower translates into higher insurance premiums and more opportunities for trouble.

Consider key safety and crash-test ratings. Kelley Blue Book incorporates data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) into their picks for the best cars for teens.

Rely on Kelley Blue Book research. Let the pros guide your research and offer their expert recommendations. Every year, Kelley Blue Book announces its picks for the best new and used cars for teens from a variety of different price points. Here's their list for 2024.

Kelley Blue Book's Best New Cars for Teens Under $30,000

1. 2024 Toyota Prius

2. 2025 Honda Civic

3. 2024 Toyota Corolla

4. 2025 Kia Seltos

5. 2024 Subaru Crosstrek

6. 2025 Hyundai Kona

7. 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer

8. 2025 Nissan Kicks

Kelley Blue Book's Best Used Cars for Teens Under $20,000

1. 2017 Toyota RAV4

2. 2018 Mazda CX-5

3. 2017 Honda CR-V

4. 2020 Toyota Corolla

5. 2019 Mazda3

6. 2017 Honda Accord

7. 2017 Toyota Prius

8. 2018 Kia Sportage

9. 2020 Honda Civic

10. 2019 Chevrolet Equinox

Kelley Blue Book's Best Used Cars for Teens Under $15,000

1. 2018 Kia Sportage

2. 2019 Kia Soul

3. 2017 Toyota Corolla

4. 2018 Mazda3

5. 2016 Honda CR-V

6. 2016 Mazda CX-5

7. 2015 Toyota Prius

8. 2013 Honda Accord

9. 2013 Toyota Camry

10. 2015 Honda Civic

Kelley Blue Book's Best Used Cars for Teens Under $10,000

1. 2014 Mazda3

2. 2013 Toyota Corolla

3. 2009 Toyota RAV4

4. 2010 Honda Element

5. 2011 Toyota Avalon

With this expert research, you can choose the safest car for your new driver within your family's budget.