Best cars for your teenager

Your children have passed their driving test at the ripe old age of 16 and think they’re God’s gift to the road.

It’s understandable that you’d be a little anxious about their safety out there.

Luckily, you’re able to help them out a little with a new car, so what do you choose?

We’ve put together a list of 10 cars that should keep your kids safe, happy, out of the house and limit the amount of anxiety-induced grey hairs on your dome.

Cars are not as cheap as they were; $15,000 starting prices are no longer the norm. But that’s okay, because they’re now much safer. In fact, safety is probably your number one consideration, so the inclusion of accident-avoiding autonomous emergency braking (AEB) is worth pointing out.

With stricter safety standards, some strong contenders may not score a full five stars in ANCAP testing – don’t worry, we’ll outline what the reasons for not obtaining a maximum score are and whether you should be worried about them.

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Jump ahead

• Kia Picanto
• Mazda CX-3
• Suzuki Swift
• Volkswagen Polo
• Kia Cerato
• Skoda Scala
• Toyota Yaris Cross
• Hyundai Venue
• MG ZS EV
• Fiat 500

Kia Picanto S auto – $19,990 (drive-away)

AEB – Yes
Crash safety – Four stars (ANCAP 2017)

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Kia’s compact Picanto is a winner when it comes to affordability, with an auto S able to be driven home for less than $20,000. Easy to drive and spacious for its size, it's a cinch to park thanks to its ultra-compact proportions. Those after a hot hatch on a budget could do much worse than the peppy turbo-triple GT manual.

AEB is standard as well, minimising the chance of front-to-rear accidents, however the Picanto only scores four stars in ANCAP testing due to low results in pedestrian protection, safety assist and child occupant protection. Adult occupant protection, meanwhile, was rated highly.

Mazda CX-3 Neo Sport manual - $23,390 (MLP)

AEB – Yes
Crash safety – Five stars (ANCAP 2015)

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The Mazda CX-3 has been updated many times since its 2015 release date and is still very much in-vogue. Sure, others have moved on in infotainment terms, but the CX-3 retains an affordable purchase price and quality cabin feel. It’s a shame the boot is so small.

Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder that’s plenty adequate for the CX-3’s spry 1185 kilogram kerb weight. The six-speed manual is a sweet thing, and an auto is only a small up-charge of $2000.

Suzuki Swift GL S Plus – $25,990 (MLP)

AEB – Yes
Crash safety – Five stars (ANCAP 2017)

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This may have been the default car for years, but this third-gen that launched in 2017 is no longer available for the same bargain basement price it once was with its peppy ‘Boosterjet’ turbo triple.

Still, you can get a GL S Plus fitted with a 66kW 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and CVT automatic for under $30k on-the-road. It features; climate control, touchscreen infotainment with navigation, adaptive cruise control and – crucially – AEB that helps it net a solid safety rating.

Volkswagen Polo 70TSI Life - $25,250 (MLP)

AEB – Yes
Crash safety – Five stars (ANCAP 2022)

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This is one classic first car that’s really jumped in price over the years – the facelift’s $25,250 starting price came as quite a shock when an auto 85TSI Comfortline could previously be had for a whisker over $20k.

But there are reasons: a centre airbag, renewed 2022 five-star ANCAP rating, premium cabin feel, generous touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring, incredibly efficient one-litre turbo and a driving experience from the size class above in refinement terms.

Kia Cerato S auto - $25,990 (drive-away)

AEB – Yes
Crash safety – Five stars (ANCAP 2021)

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Refreshed and re-rated by ANCAP in 2021, you know the Cerato is a safe vehicle. It also happens to look mature and grown up. You could hop out of a black Cerato sedan in the city wearing a suit and not look too out of place.

That 2.0-litre multi-point injected engine isn’t a highlight, but for a first car, going fast is the enemy of safety anyway.

Skoda Scala 110TSI Ambition – $31,990 (drive-away)

AEB – Yes
Crash safety – Five stars (ANCAP 2019)

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For kids who like bike riding, drum smashing or surfing, an affordable, spacious vehicle (that isn’t an SUV) is hard to come by these days – especially with the loss of Skoda’s Fabia wagon in Australia.

The Scala is an alternative, being Golf-sized but with more tech than the base VW and nearly as affordable as a Polo. It’s got all the safety gear, a very benign chassis and a really swish interior.

Toyota Yaris Cross GX auto – $26,990 (MLP)

AEB – Yes
Crash safety – Five stars (ANCAP 2020)

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The Toyota Yaris was always a go-to first car, but the high-riding Yaris Cross SUV looks way cooler – especially in the fetching latte beige hue. There’s also something to be said for its higher driving position aiding safety.

As is typical for Toyotas, maintenance required is minimal and affordable absolutely. Being based on the brand’s GA-B platform means Yaris Cross is a perky SUV to drive around town. The option of an ultra-efficient hybrid powertrain for just $2k more makes it a winner.

Hyundai Venue manual – $21,740 (MLP)

AEB – Yes
Crash safety – Four stars (ANCAP 2019)

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The Hyundai Venue is among the cheapest of the new SUVs you can buy, yet it manages to look convincing in mid and upper trims.

What may not be so convincing is its four-star ANCAP rating. Don’t fret too much, as it scored very well for adult and child occupant protection, but was marked down as its camera-based AEB system cannot detect cyclists.

MG ZS EV Excite – $44,990 (drive-away)

AEB – Yes

Crash safety – Five stars (ANCAP 2019)

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Ok, the MG ZS EV stands out in this list. It is the most expensive car here, and it's no secret we don’t rate its driving experience particularly highly at Wheels.

But this is currently the cheapest brand-new electric vehicle, so if you're a CO2 conscious enviro-warrior on a budget – you aren't exactly spoiled for choice.

The MG ZS electric has a driving range of 320 kilometres in the WLTP combined cycle from a 50.3kWh battery and has a 50kW DC fast-charge speed. There’s plenty of technology to be found inside, including a 10.1-inch touchscreen and digital driver’s display, as well as a five-star ANCAP rating.

Fiat 500 Lounge – $23,100 (MLP)

AEB – No
Crash safety – Five stars (ANCAP 2008)

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If your kid keeps up-to-date with influencers on Tik Tok, has themselves pinned as a future fashion or furniture designer, and lives in the inner city, then the fashionable Fiat 500 simply must be considered.

And anyway, with the price of new cars skyrocketing in general, the fashion-forward 500 is relatively affordable – mainly because it hasn’t changed much since its 2007 release. The 500 scored five stars in crash testing…way back in 2008. Things have moved on since then and the 500 isn’t equipped with must-haves such as AEB or blind-spot monitoring.

The Lounge variant starts at under $25k and, while you do get an entirely unremarkable 1.2-litre four-cylinder, your offspring may simply fall in love with what this car stands for.