Best Cars For Teens - Two Subaru Models Are Top Picks And One That’s Missing

What are the best used cars for teen drivers that are safe, reliable, and get the best fuel efficiency? In a new list from iSeeCars, you should have the 2017 Subaru Outback, 2019 Subaru Impreza, and 2012 Subaru Impreza on your shopping list. Furthermore, one Subaru model is missing from the iSeeCars list.

The 2017 Subaru Outback is the best Small SUV under $25,000

2017 Subaru Outback
iSeeCars Safety and Reliability Score: 9.2
Average Used Car Price: $24,894

iSeeCars says, “The Subaru Outback’s ambiguity as a wagon-like SUV offers the smooth driving dynamics of a car and the utility of an SUV. What is the Outback safety rating? The 2017 Outback was awarded the Top Safety Pick+ safety designation from IIHS.

Available safety features include blind spot monitoring, forward and rear collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and steering-responsive automatic headlights.”

What is the 2017 Outback fuel mileage?

The 2017 Outback with the 2.5-liter engine gets an EPA estimated 25/32 city/highway and 28 combined mpg with the automatic transmission.

The 2019 Subaru Impreza is the best Small Hatchback under $25,000

2019 Subaru Impreza
iSeeCars Safety and Reliability Score: 8.5
Average Used Car Price: $23,784

iSeeCars says, “The Subaru Impreza offers standard all-wheel drive, which is rare for its class. It is one of the best AWD cars on the market because of its quality and value; it is also fuel efficient, with a combined mpg of 31. The reliable and safe Impreza comes standard with a rearview camera, and driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking are available.

What is the Impreza safety rating? The Impreza earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation for its 2019 model.

What is the 2019 Impreza fuel mileage?

The EPA says the Subaru Impreza gets 31 mpg combined city/highway and 28/36 city/highway mpg in the non-Sport CVT trims. The Impreza 4-Door sedan with the 5-speed manual gearbox has the same fuel mileage. The Impreza 4-Door sedan gets 26 combined city/highway and 23/31 city/highway mpg in the non-Sport CVT trims.

The 2012 Subaru Impreza is the best Small Hatchback under $15,000

2012 Subaru Impreza
iSeeCars Safety and Reliability Score: 8.5
Average Used Car Price: $13,455

The 2012 Subaru Impreza also earned the top Safety Pick award from the IIHS.

What is the 2012 Impreza fuel mileage?

The EPA says the Subaru Impreza gets 30 mpg combined city/highway and 27/35 city/highway mpg in the CVT automatic transmission trims. The Impreza 4-Door sedan with the 5-speed manual gearbox gets 28 combined city/highway and 24/33 city/highway mpg.

The best new Subaru model for college students

The one Subaru model iSeeCars skipped is the popular Subaru Crosstrek subcompact SUV. Kelley Blue Book says the best Subaru model for college students is the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek if you buy a new car today.

Starting Price: $23,645 | Rating: 4.2

Kelley Blue Book says, “Subaru’s go-anywhere Crosstrek comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD). While the Crosstrek comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, spending an extra $1,350 to get the continuously variable transmission (CVT) adds some key safety features. The CVT-equipped Crosstrek also comes with a system where you can choose between optimizing fuel economy or power. When equipped with the CVT, fuel economy is better, too. The combined mileage is 30 mpg, compared to 25 mpg with the manual.

KBB says Crosstrek is an IIHS Top Safety Pick; the base Crosstrek provides Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology when you opt for the CVT. With the CVT, the Crosstrek also comes with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert is optional or standard on upper trim levels. Connectivity includes one USB port, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and hands-free phone integration.

What is the price of the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek?

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek now comes in six trim levels for U.S. customers. The base trim is priced from $24,870, Premium, ($26,020), Special Edition ($27,970), Sport ($29,220), Limited ($30,720) and Crosstrek Hybrid ($38.070). Prices include destination and delivery fees ($1,225).

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek earned the top Safety Pick award from the IIHS.

The best used Subaru model for college students

Kelley Blue Book says the best used Subaru model for college students is the 2016-2018 Subaru Crosstrek if you buy a used car today.

Price: $15,600-$19,700 | Rating: 4.4-4.7

KBB says, “In 2016, the Subaru Crosstrek dropped the “XV” from its name and received updated styling. This subcompact SUV has impressive ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive, a tailor-made combination for a weekend adventure and all-season safety.”

KBB says that the Crosstrek’s Top Safety Pick+ rating adds to the safety quotient, its available blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert, and EyeSight safety tech. Its diminutive size makes parking on campus or in the city easy. The Crosstrek was all-new for 2018, so seek out this year for standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, more safety features, and more refinement.”

The 2016-2018 Subaru Crosstrek earned the top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.

If you are looking for a used vehicle for your teen or college student, check out the 2017 Subaru Outback, 2019 Subaru Impreza, 2012 Subaru Impreza, and 2016-2018 Subaru Crosstrek. If you are looking for a new vehicle for your teen or college student, check out the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek.

You Might Also Like: Consumer Reports Says Subaru Outback Is Your Best 10-Year-Old SUV Pick

Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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