2024 Best Cars for New Drivers: U.S. News Top Picks

Alright, buckle up parents and teens - U.S. News just unveiled their picks for the best cars to get your new driver kitted out in style and safety for 2024.

These awards spotlight the new and used rides that check all the boxes - critics love 'em, they've got a solid track record for reliability, and most importantly, they're packing some serious safety cred with top-notch crash test ratings and driver assist features galore.

Hуundai won the new cars section in a big waу, securing four wins for their 2024 Elantra, Tucson, Elantra Hуbrid and Tucson Hybrid models. They also nabbed three more awards for their used 2021 Elantra Hуbrid, 2019 Santa Fe and 2020 Sonata Hуbrid. Clearly these guys are churning out vehicles that keep teen drivers secure without skimping on the fun stuff that gets them excited.

But Hyundai wasn't the only star of the show. The 2024 Kia Soul, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback and Toyota Camry Hybrid models also took home awards for best new cars. And on the used side, hybrids were a force with the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid and 2021 Nissan Maxima cleaning up too. Smart move - hybrids offer that ideal blend of eco-friendliness and penny-pinching fuel efficiency that teenagers and parents alike can get behind.

Liz Opsitnik, the executive editor at U.S. News, summed it up perfectly: "As summer break kicks off, these awards give families the inside scoop on vehicles that'll have their new drivers cruising confidently and safely."

All the new car winners like the Elantra, Tucson, Soul and others come locked and loaded with must-have safety gear like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist - the whole nine yards. Some even have cool parental controls that'll send you alerts if your teen is speeding or ignoring curfew in rides like the Hyundai models. Talk about peace of mind!

So whether you're in the market for a fresh set of wheels like the Outback or Camry Hybrid or looking to hand down a reliable used ride like the Santa Fe, give these award recipients a long, hard look. Your teen's safety is covered, and they'll still be rolling in style. Everybody wins!