One of the most stressful times of a parent's life is when their teenager finally gets their driver's license and, inevitably, their first car. While this period of parenting may be highly stressful, you may gain some peace of mind by ensuring that your teen is driving the safest car possible. Karns & Kerrison is here to help with our list of safe first cars.

In compiling this list, we only considered cars that have been given a 5-star safety rating by the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) and named a 2021 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+.

Our Top Picks for 2021's Safest Cars for Teenage Drivers

Honda Civic

Hondas are a long-time favorite of teen and adult drivers alike, as they are affordable, reliable, compact, and, most importantly, have high safety ratings. They also tend to be very fuel-efficient: The Civic itself gets up to 32 miles per gallon (MPG) in the city and up to 42 MPG on the highway. You and your teen can save on gas and reduce your household's carbon footprint.

Mazda6

A mid-size sedan, the Mazda6 is known for its affordability, reliability, and style among parents and teens. Critics often call the Mazda6 a “fun” car, so your teen won't feel as though they have to give up their personal flair for safety.

Subaru Forester

Subarus are known for their high safety ratings, making them ideal first cars. For instance, the Subaru Forester has been named an IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ every single year since 2012. And there are many reasons why you may have seen plenty of older Subarus on the road, two of which include their durability and high resale value.

Kia K5

Formerly known as the Kia Optima, the K5 champions safety and affordability. In fact, it is one of the least expensive starter cars on this list. With many dealerships offering a 10-year or 100,000-mile warranty on the Kia K5, make sure to shop around to ensure you get the best deal if you choose to buy or lease a K5 from a dealer.

Toyota Camry

Another long-time consumer favorite, the Toyota Camry is known for being a well-rounded family sedan. It is not the flashiest car, but it gets consistently high safety ratings. And the Camry is quite affordable, so there is no need to break the bank.

About Karns & Kerrison

Backed by more than 85 years of collective experience, our attorneys at Karns & Kerrison help accident victims maximize their compensation. We believe that drivers should act with care for the safety of others on the road—fortunately, the law agrees. If you or your family member has been injured in an accident caused by someone else's negligence, you have the right to seek compensation from that negligent party. Our Rhode Island attorneys will fight for you, and we won't charge you a dime unless we win your case.

Contact Karns & Kerrison online today to get your complimentary consultation. We can also be reached at (888) 281-3100.