Written by: Extended Auto Warranty
Last updated: January 6, 2025
Having a teen driver in your household can be difficult, even if you have done everything possible to ensure they drive safely and defensively. There are still so many factors out on the road that are out of your control.
The best way to let yourself rest easy is to get them a vehicle that you know is safe and practical. Even if you don’t want to spend a lot of money, there are plenty of options out there for used cars under $20,000 that your teen can feel secure in and will give you confidence whenever they are driving it.
What Makes a Vehicle Good for Teen Drivers?
When looking for a vehicle for a teen driver, safety is the number one thing you want to be on the lookout for. Many late-model cars have fantastic safety features and driver-assistance equipment to help your teen keep their attention on the road and protect them in every situation. Keep an eye out for vehicles with things like blind-spot monitors and lane-keeping assist, which will give your teen an extra set of eyes on the road.
You should also look for vehicles that are more practical than powerful. Sensible vehicles with low-horsepower four-cylinder engines will almost always be your best bet. The less power a vehicle has, the less tempted your teen will be to push its limits and get themselves into trouble. Plus, lower-powered vehicles tend to get better gas mileage, so you don’t have to worry about spending a fortune on fuel as they shuttle themselves back and forth across town.
Best Used Cars for Teens Under $20,000
We’ve broken down the best cars for teens at an affordable price. Here are some options for you child under $20,000:
2018 Honda Accord
The Honda Accord has been a consistently practical vehicle for drivers of all kinds over the years. For the most part, you can find a 2018 Accord for well under $20,000, even if you opt for one of the higher trim levels. The 2018 Accord has a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and always scores incredibly high on crash tests with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, earning it a Top Safety Pick rating. Plus, the 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that comes with the base version only puts out 192 horsepower, making it a great choice for new drivers.
2019 Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is another sensible “new car” for teen drivers, and the 2019 model can easily be used for under $20,000. This model year has a wide range of safety features, including a forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Camry was also an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, the highest possible accolade a vehicle can get from the organization. With that kind of equipment and test results, you can have confidence that your teen will be in good hands.
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe
For those who want to give their young driver a little extra room for cargo, the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe is readily available for under $20,000 and is one of your best choices. Hyundai has a legendarily long powertrain warranty of ten years or 100,000 miles, so you can be sure your teen can keep their vehicle in good condition for as long as possible. The 2020 Santa Fe also comes with features like lane-departure warning and automated emergency braking. It has good ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA. The standard 185-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is also slow enough to put your mind at ease whenever your teen is out and about.
2019 Mazda CX-5
If you want to treat your teen driver to something that feels a little more premium than they might expect, the Mazda CX-5 is an excellent option. Even with the high-quality interior materials, you can still find a 2019 CX-5 for well under $20,000 on the used market. The base version of the CX-5 comes with a 187-horsepower four-cylinder engine, which will help keep the top speed low. It also has standard low-speed automated emergency braking and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS on top of its five-star safety rating from the NHTSA.
2022 Kia Soul
The 2022 Kia Soul is most likely the newest vehicle you can find for under $20,000, making it a great choice for your teen driver. With a small 147-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the Soul has a zero-to-60 time of eight seconds, perfect for teens still trying to get their bearings on the road. The Soul also gets 35 mpg highway fuel economy and 27 mpg city, which will help keep gas bills low.
2021 Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue is an excellent compact SUV with attractive exterior styling and top-notch handling. You can almost certainly find a 2021 version of this small SUV for well under $20,000, even if you opt for some of the higher trim levels. Should you decide to go for the higher-end version of the Rogue, it could be a good choice for some of the extra driver-assistance features. These include things like semi-autonomous driving, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, all of which can be indispensable to new drivers.
Protect Your Teen’s Car With an Extended Warranty
Finding the right used vehicle for your teen can make all the difference regarding how comfortable you are with them out on the road. By finding a vehicle you know they will be safe in, you can rest easy and get the peace of mind you need. If you want to ensure their car is always in the best condition, an extended warranty can be a big help.
With a good protection plan in place, your teen can take care of any repairs that come up so their vehicle will always be safe and secure. Plus, many extended warranties come with extra perks like 24/7 roadside assistance or maintenance coverage, giving them even more protection. Explore our extended warranty provider reviews and buying guide to determine which extended warranty will work best for you and your vehicle.
