Critical Shifts:
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Subaru Dominates Teen Safety Recommendations: A total of nine Subaru models were jointly recommended by the IIHS and Consumer Reports for teen drivers, spanning both new and used categories. This includes specific designations for popular models like the Crosstrek, Forester, Legacy, Outback, Solterra, Impreza, and the new 2026 Ascent.
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Affordability Meets Safety: The recommended vehicles are part of a broader list designed to help families find safe options on a budget, featuring 45 used vehicles priced under $10,000 and 29 used vehicles under $20,000.
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Rigorous and Multi-Layered Criteria: To earn a spot, vehicles had to pass strict, combined evaluations from both organizations. This included achieving average or better scores for braking and handling, intuitive controls that prevent driver distraction, "Good" or "Acceptable" IIHS crash test and headlight ratings, and 2026 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK awards for new models.
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Subaru of America, Inc. announced nine models were jointly recommended by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Consumer Reports for both new and used vehicles for teen drivers.
Families looking for safe, affordable vehicles for new teen drivers or other young drivers can choose from among 45 used vehicles starting for less than $10,000 or 29 used vehicles for less than $20,000 in this year’s list compiled by the IIHS and Consumer Reports.
The recommendations are based on a comprehensive evaluation by both organizations on various criteria, including vehicle cost, vehicle type, size, reliability, emergency handling, braking distance performance, and safety ratings.
“We are proud at Subaru of America to offer a wide range of affordable and safe vehicles that families can trust with younger drivers, including the nine models listed in this year’s report,” said Jeff Walters, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “Value, safety, and affordability are at the heart of every Subaru, and we’re proud to be recognized again by the IIHS and Consumer Reports in their annual list for teen drivers.”
To make the list, all used and new vehicles must have average or better scores from Consumer Reports for braking and for emergency and routine handling. The vehicles must also have controls judged by Consumer Reports’ engineers and usability experts to be neither overly complicated nor distracting. A “Good” rating by the IIHS in the driver’s-side small-overlap front crash test is required as well.
Models designated as “Best Choices” must have headlights that earn a “Good” or “Acceptable” rating from the IIHS across all trim levels and must be equipped with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection that performs well in daytime IIHS track tests. New vehicles that made the list for teen drivers must be winners of the 2026 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK or TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards.
Used Vehicles: Best Choice
- Subaru Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid (2019-2023)
- Subaru Legacy (2020-2025)
- Subaru Outback (2020-2025)
- Subaru Forester (2019-2025)
- Subaru Solterra (2023-2025)
Used Vehicles: Good Choice
- Subaru Impreza sedan or wagon (2014-2025)
- Subaru Crosstrek (2016-2025)
- Subaru Legacy (2015-2019)
New Vehicle
- 2026 Subaru Ascent
Subaru has eight Consumer Reports Recommended Models for 2026 and is the Best Overall Automotive Brand for two years in a row. The Subaru Crosstrek is the 2026 Top Subcompact SUV, and the Subaru Forester is the Top Compact SUV for 13 years in a row, according to Consumer Reports.
