For teenagers, getting their hands behind the steering wheel of a new car is always a dream come true. However, for parents, there is always that dilemma of finding the right vehicle for their reckless teens that won’t leave them with traffic tickets in their mailbox.

Driving is always a hot topic of discussion when it comes to teenagers, as their immature personalities and lack of experience make them more vulnerable to potential road accidents. Thus, parents should always prioritize safety, affordability, reliability, and a plethora of their features when considering a car for their youthful driver.

After careful consideration and research, we conclude that buying a Mazda 3, or any other car from this list will be the best choice for aspiring teenagers who strive to be responsible drivers in the future. All these cars are top choices when it comes to sportiness and spaciousness and is equally strong on the safety frontier as well.

Mazda 3 is a great teen car

Most Valuable Car for Teens

Our pick- Mazda 3
Cost- $20650+
Strong points- Incredible practicality and safety with refined driving dynamics

Why this is our pick: The Mazda 3 is an excellent pick for newbie drivers, as it satisfies all the requirements of an excellent all-around car. The Mazda 3’s streamlined looks are in sync with the unique taste buds of its young audience. The sedan combines all the traits like practicality, reliability, drivability, and safety in a single package.

With a 2.5-liter inline-4 engine under its hood, the Mazda 3 provides 155 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. This power is adequate to cruise through tight city streets efficiently. Combined with its above-average handling dynamics, the Mazda 3 is easily one of the easiest cars to handle for a teenager.

The sedan packs in plenty of tech inside to woo the tech-savvy teenagers like a 9-speaker Bose audio system for that extra acoustic experience and a heads-up display. Parents have to shell out extra for these features though. The infotainment interface is also very easy to handle thanks to the rotary controller. This way your teen can keep his eyes on the road. Parents can also equip the car with all the advanced safety techs like autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Hyundai Ioniq is a great teen car

Most Fuel-Efficient Car for Teens

Our pick- Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
Cost- $28000+
Strong points- Frugal fuel economy and engaging ride quality

Why this is our pick: The Hyundai Ioniq is specifically designed by the Korean automaker to extract the maximum juice out of its powertrain in terms of fuel efficiency. This humble hatchback is available in a variety of 3 extremely fuel-efficient configurations, ranging from a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and a fully electric powertrain.

Regardless of the powertrain, the Ioniq is an extremely frugal car in every avatar. The Ioniq Hybrid shells out an EPA-estimated combined MPGe of 55 while the Blue trim in its lineup gets an even better 58 MPGe. The Ioniq PHEV can travel 29 miles with just the power of electrons and offers an EPA-estimated combined MPGe of 119. The Ioniq EV is rated at 170 miles of electric range and a combined MPGe of 133. Thus, by driving the Ioniq around, your teenage driver can save up a ton of cash on fuel expenses.

Besides, Hyundai has also put in a lot of effort to ensure that the Ioniq doesn’t feel like just a regular hatchback. The Ioniq Hybrid and the PHEV both use a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Hyundai has also included paddle controls to let drivers control the regenerative braking features. Thus, thanks to the focus on both driving dynamics and fuel efficiency, the Hyundai Ioniq is the perfect green car for teenagers.

Subaru BRZ is a great teen car

Sportiest Car for Teens

Our pick- Subaru BRZ
Cost- $28845+
Strong points- Sporty ride quality that raises adrenaline levels to an all-time high

Why this is our pick: The Subaru BRZ is an affordable sports car that offers the very basics of sporty handling dynamics in a very exciting rear-wheel-drive-based coupe package. While the BRZ may not offer the breathtaking speeds of high-end sports cars, its dedication to providing an exciting driving experience is commendable. This rings in as good news to parents, who certainly don’t want their reckless teenagers breaking speed limits. Inside the hood, the BRZ sports a 2.0-liter flat-four engine, which packs in just enough power with its 205 hp that keeps teenagers happy.

Besides, the Subaru BRZ is a popular car in the aftermarket scene as well, with plenty of opportunities for awesome modifications. So as your teenager’s driving skills and income increase, he can consider tuning the BRZ to add more adrenaline into his ride.

Toyota Tacoma is a great teen car

Strongest Hauler for Teens

Our pick- Toyota Tacoma
Cost- $26150+
Strong points- Easy to maneuver, impressive capability and reliability

Why this is our pick: For teens who are just learning how to drive, a midsize pickup is the best choice thanks to much easier maneuverability than full-size pickups. And a familiar name leading the line of midsize pickups is the Toyota Tacoma. The Tacoma is one of the oldest pickup trucks in the market yet it looks as fresh as ever. The redesign in 2016 reformed the truck’s exterior design to a tough-looking one, and also added a bunch of cutting-edge tech features.

Even the previous-gen Tacoma is a stellar choice for parents who don’t want to splurge too much money on their teen’s first pickup. Tacoma’s stellar reliability and resale value make it an especially valuable long-term buy for teenagers. With its classic 4-wheel drive and a functional interior, the Tacoma is a solid choice for hauling cargo for first-time drivers.

Jeep Renegade is the perfect teen car

Most adventurous crossover for teens

Our pick- Jeep Renegade
Cost- $23000+
Strong points- Chic compact styling, excellent urban commuter

Why this is our pick: The Renegade is the entry-point vehicle of the Jeep lineup and is one of its funkiest vehicles. Unlike other compact crossovers, the Renegade has all the traits of an SUV and boasts of genuine off-roading capabilities as well, especially if you consider its Trailhawk trim. Its compact size and car-like handling make it a treat to drive in the city. The Selec-Terrain system and a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system combined with a tall ride position make the Renegade a perfect companion for an adventure in the woods. Inside, a trendy interior set up and the UConnect infotainment system will impress teen drivers as well.

black audi A3 a great teen car

Most exciting luxury car for teens

Our pick- Audi A3
Cost- $33300+
Strong points- Compact luxurious car with plenty of high-tech features

Why this is our pick: The A3 is a fun-to-drive sedan, packing in a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine under its hood that generates 184 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. Thus, the A3 is a potent sedan to breeze past busy highways with ease. Also with its perky handling abilities and optional all-wheel-drive, young drivers will find it easier to drive in rainy or snowy weather as well.

Audi offers you a plethora of customizations and options if the parents are willing to shell out a fat paycheck. After all, your young driver deserves the best car in terms of luxury and comfort, and the Audi A3 is definitely the most valuable choice for that.