Choosing the right vehicle for a teenager is a significant decision for any parent. Safety, reliability, and affordability are paramount. For many families, SUVs offer the perfect blend of these crucial factors, providing both enhanced protection and practicality. To simplify this process, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR) have collaborated to identify vehicles that excel in these key areas. This guide focuses specifically on the Best Affordable Suvs recommended by IIHS and CR, making it easier to find a safe and budget-friendly option for your young driver.
SUVs are increasingly popular due to their higher driving position, which offers better visibility, and their substantial size, which can provide increased protection in a crash. However, the market is flooded with options, and navigating through them can be overwhelming. This article highlights the best affordable SUVs, breaking down recommendations into used and new categories to suit various budgets. We’ll explore models recognized for their safety ratings, reliability, and reasonable prices, ensuring you can make an informed decision when selecting an SUV for your teen driver.
Remember, regardless of the vehicle you choose, always check for recalls. Utilize the vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate to check for outstanding recalls before purchasing any used vehicle. To stay informed about future recalls, ensure you notify the manufacturer of your purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also recommends that vehicle owners regularly check their database for new recalls, approximately every six months.
Top Used Affordable SUVs: Best Choices
Updated May 22, 2024
The “Best Choices” list represents used SUVs that offer an excellent balance of safety and features at an affordable price point. These SUVs meet stringent safety criteria, ensuring your teen driver is well-protected. All vehicles in this category have a curb weight exceeding 2,750 pounds and have earned “good” ratings from IIHS in key crash tests, including the original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraint tests. They also achieve an “acceptable” or “good” rating in the driver-side small overlap test. If rated by NHTSA, these SUVs have earned a 4 or 5-star overall safety rating.
Furthermore, “Best Choice” SUVs come standard with automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems that have earned an “advanced” or “superior” rating from IIHS in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention tests. Reliability is also a key consideration; all recommended SUVs have above-average reliability scores from Consumer Reports (4 or 5 out of 5) for the majority of listed model years and maintain CR emergency handling scores of 3 out of 5 or higher. They also exhibit short dry braking distances, stopping from 60 mph to zero in 145 feet or less.
Prices listed below are provided by Kelley Blue Book and are rounded to the nearest $100. These figures represent average U.S. values from April 19, 2024, for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year, based on a vehicle in good condition with typical mileage and purchased from a private party.
| Small SUVs | Model years | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Equinox | 2020, 2023 | $13,800 |
| Kia Sportage | 2020 or newer | $14,400 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 2017 or newer | $14,700 |
| Hyundai Tucson | 2020 or newer | $14,900 |
| GMC Terrain | 2020, 2023 | $16,100 |
| Mazda CX-5 | 2021-23 | $17,600 |
| Lexus UX | 2019-21 | $18,100 |
| Honda CR-V | 2020 or newer | $18,700 |
| Nissan Rogue | 2021 | $19,000 |
| Subaru Forester | 2021 or newer | $19,000 |
| Mazda CX-30 | 2022 or newer | $19,900 |
| Midsize SUVs | Model years | Price |
| Volvo XC60 | 2017 | $12,100 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 2019, 2020, 2023 | $15,200 |
| Toyota Highlander | 2017 or newer | $15,700 |
| Nissan Murano | 2019, 2020 | $15,900 |
| Ford Edge | 2020 or newer | $16,700 |
| Lexus NX | 2018-21 | $17,100 |
| Infiniti QX60 | 2019 | $17,800 |
| Mazda CX-9 | 2020, 2022 | $18,800 |
Good Used Affordable SUV Choices
Updated May 22, 2024
The “Good Choices” list expands the range of affordable used SUVs while still maintaining strong safety standards. These SUVs also have a curb weight over 2,750 pounds and achieve “good” ratings from IIHS in the original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraint tests, along with an “acceptable” or “good” rating in the driver-side small overlap test. They also meet the NHTSA 4 or 5-star overall safety rating if tested.
Similar to the “Best Choices,” these “Good Choice” SUVs have above-average reliability scores from CR (4 or 5 out of 5) for most model years and CR emergency handling scores of 3 out of 5 or better. They also have dry braking distances of 145 feet or less when stopping from 60 mph.
Prices are sourced from Kelley Blue Book, rounded to the nearest $100, and reflect average U.S. values from April 19, 2024. These prices are for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year, assuming a vehicle in good condition, typical mileage, and a private party purchase.
Some models in this category include a “built after” date. This specification is important when a manufacturer implements safety improvements during a model year. The manufacturing date for a specific vehicle can be found on the certification label, usually located on the driver’s side door or nearby.
| Small SUVs | Model years | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-5 | 2016 | $10,100 |
| Hyundai Kona | 2018-19 | $11,000 |
| Honda CR-V | 2015-19 | $11,400 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | 2018-19 | $11,600 |
| Honda HR-V | 2017-22; built after March 2017 | $11,600 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 2015-16; built after November 2014 | $12,000 |
| GMC Terrain | 2018-19 | $12,700 |
| Midsize SUVs | Model years | Price |
| Nissan Murano | 2016 | $9,900 |
| Toyota Highlander | 2014-16 | $11,700 |
| Lexus NX | 2015-17 | $12,100 |
| Acura RDX | 2016 | $13,500 |
| Mazda CX-9 | 2018 | $14,200 |
Recommended New Affordable SUVs
Updated May 22, 2024
For those considering a new vehicle, these recommended SUVs represent the highest standards of safety currently available. All listed SUVs are 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award winners and come equipped with standard vehicle-to-vehicle automatic emergency braking.
In addition to superior safety performance, these new SUVs also meet high standards for reliability and usability. They all have average or better reliability ratings based on Consumer Reports member surveys, average or better scores in CR’s emergency handling tests, and short dry braking distances of less than 140 feet from 60 mph in CR’s brake tests. Furthermore, they receive a “good” rating or better from CR for the ease of use of their controls.
Prices are rounded to the nearest $100 and reflect Kelley Blue Book New Car Fair Purchase Prices as of April 19, 2024, for the least expensive trim level.
| Small SUVs | Price |
|---|---|
| Mazda CX-30 | $25,700 |
| Kia Sportage | $27,300 |
| Hyundai Tucson | $27,800 |
| Honda CR-V | $29,700 |
| Mazda CX-50 built after August 2023 | $31,200 |
| Lexus UX | $35,300 |
| Midsize SUVs | Price |
| Subaru Ascent | $35,000 |
| Kia Telluride | $36,300 |
| Hyundai Palisade | $37,000 |
| Honda Pilot | $37,200 |
| Mazda CX-90 | $38,800 |
| Lexus NX | $39,600 |
Choosing an SUV for your teen driver doesn’t have to mean compromising on safety or breaking the bank. By considering these recommended best affordable SUVs, you can find a vehicle that provides excellent protection, reliability, and peace of mind as your young driver takes to the road. Remember to prioritize safety features and regularly check for recalls to ensure the ongoing safety of the vehicle.
