Parents of newly licensed teen drivers often seek safe vehicles for their children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and injury for teens aged 13 to 19. Inexperience, risk-taking, and distraction contribute to these statistics. To minimize risks, parents can ensure professional driving instruction, model safe behavior, and choose the safest possible vehicle. Edmunds has compiled a list of five used SUVs under $20,000 that meet high safety standards.
Each recommended SUV earned a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and an overall five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Clean examples with under 60,000 miles can be found within budget. The list includes various sizes and types, all with favorable crash test ratings, presented alphabetically.
2021-2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer
The Chevrolet Trailblazer is compact but offers surprising roominess and fuel efficiency. While blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was optional, it is a beneficial feature for teens. The Trailblazer includes Teen Driver technology, allowing parents to monitor driving habits remotely.
2019-2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
The redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe comes with a comprehensive set of standard driver assist features. An active Bluelink subscription enables parents to set speed alerts, curfew times, and geofence boundaries. The standard four-cylinder engine provides adequate power without encouraging risky driving.
2018-2023 Mazda CX-5
From 2018 onward, the Mazda CX-5 includes standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, earning top safety ratings. The i-Activsense package, standard from 2020, equips the vehicle with all available driver assists. The infotainment system features automatic 911 emergency assistance in case of a collision.
2019-2023 Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester offers excellent visibility, standard all-wheel drive, and raised ride height for outdoor activities. The 2019 redesign added many standard driver assists, including a feature that alerts when traffic ahead moves. However, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were unavailable on the base trim, so buyers should seek higher trims.
2021-2023 Volkswagen ID.4
The electric Volkswagen ID.4 is a safe choice with rear- or all-wheel drive and an EPA-estimated range of 209-275 miles. An active Car-Net Safe & Secure subscription provides emergency assistance and crash notification. The ID.4 also includes Emergency Assist, which can stop the vehicle if the driver becomes unresponsive.
With a $20,000 budget, parents can find safe used SUVs for teen drivers. These models offer collision protection and modern technologies to prevent accidents. However, this list is not exhaustive; buyers should prioritize crash test ratings and driver assist features when researching.
This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds. Christian Wardlaw is a contributor at Edmunds.
