10 Safe Cars For Teens According To The IIHS

When looking at safe cars for teens it's important to keep in mind that the safest vehicle in the world is no good for a young driver if they can't afford it. With that in mind, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety issued a list of used cars and SUVs that represent the safest affordable options for teenagers looking to get behind the wheel for the first time. The list is weighted towards larger and heavier automobiles that perform well in crash safety testing - which means no subcompact cars are included - and it also excludes high horsepower models which offer a greater potential for the kind of teenage shenanigans that can end in tragedy.

Parents chaperoning their kids through used car showrooms can use all the help they can get when looking for an economical ride that will protect their children as much as possible in the event of an accident. With that in mind, we've picked 10 of the most appealing safe cars for teens from the IIHS list and gathered them here for easy reference.

1. 2012-2014 Honda CR-V

The most recent generation of used Honda CR-V stretches from 2012 to 2014, and it brings with it the most comprehensive suite of safety features to date for the entry-level SUV. All versions of the Honda CR-V come with electronic stability control and traction control, along with side impact airbags up front, dual forward airbags, and side impact airbags that run their entire length of the five-passenger vehicle's cabin. The CR-V was rated 'Good' - the highest score available from the IIHS - in side impact testing, roof strength testing, and moderate overlap front crash testing, making it a Top Safety Pick from the organization for the 2012 and 2013 model years.

2. 2010-2014 Ford Taurus

2010-2014 Ford Taurus full-size sedans are the flagships of the Blue Oval's passenger car fleet, and as such they benefit from some of the sturdiest design elements available from the brand. You'll want to avoid the EcoBoost turbocharged V-6 model and stick with the standard 288 horsepower, 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine - a level of output that sounds mighty until you consider the Ford Taurus' substantial bulk and mass. Electronic traction control and stability control are standard with the Taurus, as are dual forward airbags, side impact airbags for the two front positions, and side curtain airbags. It's also possible to order the car with a blind spot warning system as well as a forward collision warning system, and the Taurus owns a rating of 'Good' in each major IIHS crash test category (making it a Top Safety Pick from 2010 to 2013).

3. 2009-2013 Subaru Forester

The 2009-2013 Subaru Forester presents teen drivers with a five-passenger SUV that has a strong reputation for safety. In addition to offering the additional traction of standard all-wheel drive, the Subaru Forester also include side impact airbags up front, dual forward airbags, side curtain airbags, and electronic traction control and stability control. Like the Taurus, the Forester owned a Top Safety Pick ranking from the IIHS (for the model years 2009 to 2013) due its repeated 'Good' rating in front, side, and roof crush crash testing - the latter being an area where Subaru has developed a reputation as a stand-out.

4. 2005-2014 Volvo XC90

The 2005-2014 Volvo XC90 isn't a surprise entry on any list of safe cars for teens, but you might notice that the near 10-year range of models to pick from indicates that this SUV went many moons before any major redesign took place. In addition to enjoying Top Safety Pick status for long stretch in that period of time, the Volvo XC90 includes the standard complement of Swedish safety equipment, including electronic stability and traction control, side curtain airbags, seat-mounted side impact airbags in the front of the cabin, dual forward airbags, and unique front seats designed to prevent whiplash. It's also possible to find versions of the large SUV featuring a blind spot monitoring system to go with its 'Good' rating from the IIHS in off-set, roof strength, and side-collision crash testing.

5. 2007-2011 Honda Element

Despite its status as an entry-level crossover option, the practical Honda Element offered excellent crash safety ratings from its 2007 refresh all the way to the sun-setting of the model in 2011. The Honda Element didn't provide any advanced safety equipment, but its electronic stability control and traction control, side curtain airbags, seat-mounted side impact airbags for front passengers, and dual forward airbags combined with a strong crash structure afforded it with Top Safety Pick status from 2008 to 2001 from the IIHS. It also fits in with the low-powered mojo that helps identify safe cars for teens, what with the Element's modest 166 horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (plus the bonus of available all-wheel drive).

6. 2011-2014 Volkswagen Jetta

In 2011 the Volkswagen Jetta switched to a new platform that offered more size, which is an important factor in keeping teens safe in the event of an accident. The Volkswagen Jetta had long been a strong performer in crash tests, but the redesign helped cement its status as an IIHS Top Safety Pick (2011-2013). Also included with the Jetta is electronic traction control, electronic stability control, side curtain airbags, active front head restraint seats, seat-mounted side impact airbags in the front, and dual forward airbags, each of which contribute to the car's safe environment.

7. 2011-2014 Kia Optima

The 2011-2014 Kia Optima isn't just one of the IIHS' safe cars for teens - it's also a great value on the used market, especially when considering the features and style offered by this mid-size sedan. You'll want to stick with the 200 horsepower, entry-level 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that comes with the Kia Optima and avoid its mightier turbocharged unit, but even this version of the car comes with side curtain airbags, side impact airbags, dual forward airbags, and electronic traction control and stability control. By 2014 the Optima (which qualified as a Top Safety Pick from 2011-onwards) also offered an optional blind spot monitoring system.

8. 2012-2014 Toyota Camry

The 2012-2014 Toyota Camry is the less visually exciting, but still excellent alternative to the Optima if you are looking for a safe mid-size sedan for your teenager. The base 2.5-liter, 178 horsepower four-cylinder engine that comes with the Toyota Camry is going to be all of the go your offspring will need, and the car can be found with a blind spot monitoring system to accompany its side impact airbags (front and rear), side curtain airbags, dual forward airbags, and knee airbags for the first two positions. Although ranked as a Top Safety Pick from 2012 to 2014, the 2014 model offers the best performance in small overlap frontal collision testing out of the group.

Photo by Toyota Media

9. 2010-2014 Hyundai Tucson

The entry-level Hyundai Tucson SUV has been a popular choice for those seeking the best bang for their buck from a five-passenger people mover. The Hyundai Tucson from 2010-2014 also happens to be one of the safe cars for teenagers recommended by the IIHS, where it was ranked as a Top Safety Pick for its crash test performance in all of those years save 2014. Side curtain airbags, dual forward airbags, active headrests up front, electronic traction control and stability control, and side impact airbags for forward passengers are all standard with the Tucson, which also features the availability of all-wheel drive to go with its four-cylinder engine.

10. 2007-2014 Volvo S80

Rounding out our list of safe cars for teens is another elder statesman from Volvo - the 2007-2014 Volvo S80. This full-size sedan has long been a technological test bed for Volvo, and although it's a little long in the tooth by modern standards the S80 can be found with safety features such as a blind spot monitor, a forward collision warning system, braking assistance, an automatic braking system that operates at low speeds, a lane departure warning system, and a driver fatigue monitor (depending on which model year you target). This is on top of its seat-mounted side airbags up front, its side curtain airbags, dual forward airbags, and active front head restraints. Stick with the 240 horsepower, entry-level V-6 and enjoy the S80's seven-year reign as an IIHS Top Safety Pick.