U.S. News Unveils the Best Cars for Teens
Hybrid models make strong showing; Hyundai wins most in new-car categories; Toyota wins most in
used car categories
We are pleased to partner with U.S.News to bring you a special report on Best Cars, this time it is Best Cars for Teens.
Washington, D.C. – August 17, 2021 – U.S. News & World Report, publisher of Best Cars for Families
and Best Cars for the Money, today unveiled the Best Cars for Teens.
“The winners of the Best Cars for Teens awards all have active safety features that can help teens safely
develop their driving skills while lowering the risk that they’ll be involved in a collision,” said Jamie
Page Deaton, executive editor of U.S. News Best Cars. “The winners also have strong crash test ratings,
so if a collision occurs, there’s a better chance of occupants being protected.”
Hyundai won the most awards in the Best New Cars for Teens categories, with three. Across the eight
new-car categories, five of the winners are hybrids, which should appeal to climate- and
budget-conscious teens. In the used car categories, Toyota won four of the five awards.
All 2021 Best New Cars for Teens are available with forward collision warning and forward automatic
emergency braking, as well as lane departure warning and lane keep assist. All winners also have teen
driver controls or available smartphone apps that send parents alerts when the car goes over a set speed
or is driven outside a set geographic area or time period. These features allow parents to set limits for
teen drivers and have an ongoing conversation with their teens about responsible driving habits.
The 2021 Best New Cars for Teens
Best Car for Teens $20K to $25K 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
Best SUV for Teens $20K to $25K 2021 Hyundai Kona
Best Car for Teens $25K to $30K 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
Best SUV for Teens $25K to $30K 2021 GMC Terrain
Best Car for Teens $30K to $35K 2021 Nissan Altima
Best SUV for Teens $30K to $35K 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid
Best Car for Teens $35K to $40K 2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Best SUV for Teens $35K to $40K 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
The 2021 Best Used Cars for Teens
Large Car 2017 Toyota Avalon
Midsize Car 2018 Honda Accord
Midsize SUV 2017 Toyota Highlander
Small Car 2018 Toyota Corolla
Small SUV 2017 Toyota RAV4
To be named one of the Best New Cars for Teens, a vehicle has to have the best combination of
predicted reliability ratings, crash test scores, available advanced driver assistance features and top
critics’ recommendations in the U.S. News Best Cars rankings in its price category. To be named a Best
Used Car for Teens, a vehicle must be from the 2016 through 2018 model years and have the best
combination of dependability and safety ratings, projected ownership costs, positive reviews from critics
when it was new, and available tech that can help prevent crashes or lessen their severity.
