Best Cars for Teens Under $10K
If your teen is ready to hit the road, check out our list of the best cars that are safe, reliable, and affordable.
Written by John Pickhaver
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
If your teenager just got their license, you may be in the market for a new car. It’s a big step and there are a lot of factors to consider—namely safety, reliability, and affordability. And it’s gotta be a sweet ride, too! Check out our list of the best cars for teens under $10K like the
Volkswagen Jetta
or the Kia Soul
. It may seem like just yesterday you were installing a car seat for your son or daughter. Then suddenly, they are ready to get behind the wheel. Relax—this is an exciting time! You can finally hang up your chauffeur’s cap and let your teen hit the open road.
Okay, that may sound scary. But thankfully, this list from
Jerry
, the trusted comparison tool
for car insurance
shopping, put together a list of some of the best cars for teenagers that won’t cost a fortune. RECOMMENDED
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Honda Civic (2012 to 2015)
Starting Price: $7,995
Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 4.5
The
Honda Civic
is the go-to car for your teen’s first ride. It’s safe, reliable, and affordable. It also has excellent fuel economy and solid mechanics, providing an intuitive driving experience. The aerodynamic design of this era of Civics gives it a nice, sleek look and high style scores. Under the hood, you won’t find the most powerful engine, but you get that Honda dependability. Civics have an average lifespan of 15–20 years and 200,000–300,000 miles!
As a mid-size sedan, your teen won’t have trouble navigating narrow streets and tight parking spaces. Plus, there’s also a lot of modification potential, so your teenager can get creative with their daily driver.
Kia Soul (2010 to 2011)
Starting Price: $7,995
Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 4.5
If you don’t want your teen driving around in a gas-guzzling SUV but would prefer the added protection of a bigger vehicle, then you can’t go wrong with the Kia Soul. This subcompact crossover SUV does well at the pump for its class and has an excellent
safety rating
. Not only is it practical, but the Kia Soul also has a big, bubbly personality with its unique cube shape and lively color options. Ample cargo space allows your teen to take their whole crew to school in the morning and haul all their sports gear and musical instruments.
The best part: the 2010 model comes with an iPod station—which means you get to explain to your teen what an iPod is!
Volkswagen Jetta (2011 to 2013)
Starting Price: $8,995
Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 4.5
No matter how old you are, a Volkswagen Jetta is a cool car to drive. And it’s always a big win when you get both German engineering and a price tag under $10K.
The Jetta’s clean diesel engine isn’t as powerful as other Volkswagen models that are equipped with a V6, but that’s easy to forget once you see that it gets a staggering 40 miles per gallon!
The Jetta checks all the right safety boxes in terms of the best cars for teenagers. Yet it still provides a fun driving experience with its dynamic handling and cornering ability, making it a smooth, comfortable ride.
Subaru Outback (2013)
Starting Price: $7,500
Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 4.3
The
Subaru Outback
is not your average station wagon—it’s a sport utility wagon! It may not have the highest consumer rating on our list, but the Outback has everything a teen wants and needs in a car under $10K. The Outback is a spacious, joyful ride built for adventuring. Its all-wheel drive can take on any terrain, whether it’s the bumpy school parking lot or rough and rugged mountain roads.
If you wish you had an extra pair of eyes as your teen heads out on the road, you’ll love the Outback’s EyeSight Driver Assistance Technology (available on some trims) for that extra peace of mind.
Toyota Prius (2011)
Starting Price: $9,995
Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 4.7
Just sneaking under the $10,000 price point is the king of hybrids: the
Toyota Prius
. It’s definitely one of the most sensible choices on our list, mainly due to its unmatched fuel efficiency with over 50 miles per gallon. Your teen will love the Prius’s Bluetooth—not-your-average feature in an affordable used car. And the hatchback design gives it a sharper look than most other sedans in its class.
All in all, it's a comfortable and quiet ride, and because it’s a Toyota, the Prius is built to last!
Hyundai Tucson (2012)
Starting Price: $7,900
Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 4.2
With a high safety rating and more interior room than its competitors, the
Hyundai Tucson
is another one of the best cars for teens under $10K. Slimmer and sprier than its boxier counterparts, the Tucson will stand out in the senior parking lot. Speaking of parking, the Tucson's agile maneuverability makes getting in and out of tight spaces a breeze. It boasts secure and responsive handling and many higher-tech features like remote keyless entry come standard.
Other cars in its class may be faster, but the Tucson’s 170-horsepower, 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine still gets the job done. Besides, a slower top speed isn’t a bad thing with a new driver behind the wheel.
Jeep Wrangler (2004)
Starting Price: $9,500
Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 4.6
Not only does every teen want one, but the
Jeep Wrangler
also scores well on safety and performance—there was no way it wasn’t making our list. However, you might have to look at Wranglers manufactured the year your teen was born to find one under $10K.The good news is these iconic Jeeps know how to soldier on—and maintain their value. And a tilt steering wheel is standard on all Wranglers, allowing for easy adjusting (which could come in handy as your teen gets taller).
Rumbling under the hood is a 2.4-liter I-4 engine that can get up to 190 horsepower. The ride may be noisy and bumpy, but it will be a blast for any teen—especially with the top open!
MORE: Your questions about teenage car insurance, answered
How to save money on car insurance for teens
Even if you get an awesome deal on a car, the expenses don’t end there—especially when it comes to new drivers. Insurance providers know that teenagers are the riskiest to insure, which is why they charge more for young drivers’ car insurance.
But you can still find a great rate.
Car insurance
comparison app Jerry
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