Best Used Vehicles For New Texas Drivers

Front three-quarter view of a row of Mazda SUVs parked in a dealership lot, starting under an overcast sky.
Explore Certified Pre-Owned Models

Finding the best used cars for new Texas drivers requires some careful consideration, including which body style and fuel type can suit your needs. Of course, a history of exceptional safety and dependability is also paramount. Fortunately, our CertifiedPreowned.com inventory often includes some of the best options for first-time drivers. Learn more below.

What To Check When Choosing a Used Car for a First-Time Driver

There are several things you'll want to check when choosing among used cars for new Texas drivers, including:

  • Safety Features: Modern safety features like Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking are more easily found on used vehicles these days, while other things like contemporary airbags and stability control are nearly a given.
  • Tires: Checking the tires on a used vehicle can help indicate more than just how safe they'll be in a sudden downpour. Uneven wear can indicate suspension or alignment issues you'll want taken care of before you put your new driver behind the wheel.
  • Fuel Economy: It's likely that the new driver in your family isn't cruising on an unlimited budget, so it can often be a boon to shop fuel-efficient models.
  • Service Records: The last thing you want is for one of your loved ones to be left stranded. Choose a used vehicle with adequate service records for some additional peace of mind.
Close-up view of an auto technician in blue overalls inspecting and mounting a vehicle tire on a tire changer machine inside a service bay.Close-up view of a person wearing a red jacket holding a green fuel nozzle to refuel a silver car at a gas station.High-angle close-up view of a fresh motor oil from a bottle into the engine bay of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle during routine maintenance.

Best Used Fuel-Efficient Cars for New Drivers

Polestar 2

Some may steer first-time drivers away from EVs. We disagree with that approach, especially in Texas – we're among the states with the most public EV charging locations, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.1 EVs generally have lower maintenance costs than gas automobiles. Our inventory of this luxurious electrified fastback generally consists of examples priced below $30,000, and some variants offer up to 320 miles of range.2

Volvo S60 and S60 Recharge

As you'll see below, this nameplate is recommended by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports as excellent used cars for teens.3,4 Iterations for suggested years, such as a 2018 S60, are often highly affordable, too. Choose the S60 Recharge (plug-in hybrid), and you could get up to 74 MPGe, depending on the year.5

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Pairing the familiar feel and safety of a midsize sedan with a hybrid powertrain designed for efficiency, a used Toyota Camry Hybrid is a sensible choice for any new driver. Recent versions offer between 44 and 54 MPGe (Combined),6 depending on the year and trim.

Front three-quarter view of a 2026 Polestar 2 in Snow driving along a winding asphalt road through a dense forest setting.Front three-quarter view of a 2026 Volvo S60 in Fusion Red Metallic parked in front of a modern red brick building.Front three-quarter view of a 2026 Toyota Camry in Dark Cosmos driving through a sunny suburban residential neighborhood.

Best Used SUVs for New Drivers

Volvo XC40 and XC40 Recharge Pure Electric

Affordably priced, luxuriously comfortable, and built on a stellar foundation of safety by the brand that invented the three-point seat belt, the mild-hybrid XC40 and its EV variant are one of the best used cars for new Texas drivers seeking the practicality of an SUV. They're compact and maneuverable while providing a more commanding presence on the road than a sedan.

Volvo XC60

The midsize, two-row Volvo XC60 is another of our used Volvo SUVs heralded by the IIHS and Consumer Reports for teen drivers.3,4 With an IIHS accolade every year from 2010 to 2024,3 you can't go wrong with just about any XC60 SUV we have in stock.

Honda CR-V & CR-V Hybrid

The Honda CR-V is a seven-time Car and Driver 10Best award winner. These used Honda SUVs make for a value-packed and safe first vehicle – check out the hybrid version if you want over an EPA-estimated 35 MPG in most cases.7

Front three-quarter view of a 2026 Volvo XC40 in Vapour Grey parked against a minimalist textured concrete wall.Front three-quarter view of a 2026 Volvo XC60 in Heather Bronze parked under dramatic angled lighting against a modern concrete wall backdrop.Front three-quarter view of a 2026 Honda CR-V in Canyon River Blue Metallic driving along a scenic highway against a mountain backdrop.

Highest Safety-Rated Used Cars for New Drivers

Safety ratings can vary depending on testing criteria and model year, but these vehicles are generally considered some of the safest used cars for new Texas drivers. In fact, select years for these models are all recommended as safe used vehicles for teens in a joint publication by the IIHS and Consumer Reports.3,4 See some popular models and their recommended years, along with corresponding IIHS safety awards, below:

Volvo S60 (2012-2025)

  • Top Safety Pick+: 2013-2017; 2021-20223
  • Top Safety Pick: 2012; 2018; 20203

Volvo XC60 (2013-2021)

  • Top Safety Pick+: 2013-2017; 20213
  • Top Safety Pick: 2018-20203

Volvo XC90 (2013-2024)

  • Top Safety Pick+: 2013; 2016; 2020-20243
  • Top Safety Pick: 2014; 2017; 20193

Toyota Camry & Camry Hybrid (2019-2025)

  • Top Safety Pick+: 2019-2023; 20253
  • Top Safety Pick: 20243

Subaru Outback (2020-2025)

  • Top Safety Pick+: 2020-20233
  • Top Safety Pick: 2024-20253

Mazda CX-5 (2018-2025)

  • Top Safety Pick+: 2018-20223
  • Top Safety Pick: 2023-20243
Front three-quarter view of a 2026 Volvo XC90 in Crystal White Pearl parked along a modern city street with contemporary architecture in the background.Low-angle front three-quarter view of a 2026 Subaru Outback in Geyser Blue with a loaded roof cargo basket, navigating over rocky terrain.Front three-quarter view of a 2026 Mazda CX-5 in Soul Red Crystal Metallic driving along a city street.

What To Avoid for New Texas Drivers

  • Rear-wheel drive: Rear-wheel drive vehicles are more challenging to control, especially on wet roads and loose surfaces.
  • Convertibles: Unfortunately, most convertibles trade a good deal of practicality in favor of style.
  • High-performance: High-performance models are better suited for drivers with more experience on the road.

Turn to CertifiedPreowned.com for Reliable First Cars in Texas

Now that you know a bit more about what to look for when exploring used cars for new Texas drivers, browse our inventory at CertifiedPreowned.com to see what we have available. Whether you want to focus on efficiency, safety, versatility, or a blend of all three, our extensive selection generally gives you plenty of options to choose from, like used Subaru SUVs.

Consider our CPO offerings, such as certified pre-owned Volvo XC90 models, for extended warranty coverage.

1Reference to this third-party review/claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://afdc.energy.gov/data/10366

2Results may vary based on environment, road conditions, driving style, and vehicle load. This is an electric vehicle. Since electricity is not measured in gallons, a conversion factor is used to translate the fuel economy into miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent (MPGe). EPA-estimated 124 city/ 106 highway/ 115 combined MPGe. Use for comparison purposes only. Your MPGe will vary for many reasons, including but not limited to, driving conditions, how and where you drive, how you maintain your vehicle, battery-package/condition, and other factors. See https://www.fueleconomy.gov.

3Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit https://www.iihs.org

4Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, Consumer Reports members can visit https://www.iihs.org/ratings/safe-vehicles-for-teens#best

5Estimated range according to the EPA driving cycles. The actual range achieved under real conditions varies depending on driving behavior, driving conditions, how you maintain your vehicle, battery and other external factors. Visit www.fueleconomy.gov for further information.

6MPGe is the EPA-equivalent of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric operation. Use for comparison purposes only. Your MPGe will vary for many reasons, including your vehicle's condition and how/where you drive. See www.fueleconomy.gov.

7Based on 2020-2025 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, and other factors.