Best Cars for Teens Under $10K | GetJerry.com (2024)

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.

Starting Price: $7,995

Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 4.5

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.

Starting Price: $7,995

Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 4.5

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!

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.

Starting Price: $7,500

Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 4.3

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.

Starting Price: $9,995

Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 4.7

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!

Starting Price: $7,900

Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 4.2

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.

Starting Price: $9,500

Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 4.6

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!

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.