The Best Kia Models for Young Drivers

Gone are the days when parents buy their young drivers a cheap used car, especially as cheap, reliable, and safe used cars are difficult to find. As automakers like Kia are outfitting their new models with impressive suites of safety features, parents are finding value in putting their teen drivers in new, safe, and reliable vehicles.

Kia leads the way in engineering affordable vehicles with standard safety features and many models have earned Top Safety Pick+ ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. These top ratings make several Kia models great choices for young drivers. When you’re on the hunt for the perfect car or SUV for your teen driver, the Spitzer Kia Cleveland sales team can show you all the great options in the Kia lineup.

Safe, Reliable, and Fuel-Efficient Cars

One of the best cars for teens is the 2023 Kia Forte. The safe and reliable vehicle has a base price of under $20,000. The entry-level LX trim has a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower, an automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. The compact car has Forward Collision Warning, Forward Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Driver-Attention Monitoring, Rearview Camera, and Automatic High-Beam Assist. The inside is larger than expected, and the spacious trunk fits your teen’s practice gear.

Another good choice for teen drivers is the Kia K5. The midsize sedan is attractive inside and out, and the LXS trim has available all-wheel drive. The entry-level LXS comes with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower. The Kia K5 has the same safety features as the Forte, and Kia includes Blind-Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Rear-Seat Alert, and Safe-Exit Assist.

If affordability matters, the Kia Rio is perfect. The 2023 models have a starting sticker price of under $17,000. The Rio is available as a four-door sedan or hatchback and is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 120 horsepower and a continuously variable automatic transmission. Kia puts a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty on the Rio, making it practically perfect for young drivers.

SUVs with Space and Technology

Kia also engineers several affordable, safe, and reliable SUVs that are perfect for drivers aged 16 to 19. Young drivers need a well-built car with a tame, yet capable engine, and the Kia Soul, Niro, and Sportage fit the bill.

The 2023 Soul has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a CVT transmission that produces 147 horsepower. Kia outfits the Niro with a four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a six-speed automatic transmission that delivers 139 horsepower. The Kia Sportage also has a four-cylinder engine but produces 187 horsepower. All models have standard front-wheel drive making them perfect for winter driving around Brooklyn, OH.

Explore the Teen-Friendly Lineup of Kia Vehicles in Cleveland, Ohio

Parents can rest assured that their teen drivers will be safe in a new Kia. Don’t just take our word for it – visit our dealership near Parma to take our teen-friendly vehicles for a test drive. We’re confident you’ll find them just right for young drivers.