When your teenage driver is going out on the road for the first time, you want to make sure they are driving a car that is as safe as possible. Cars.com has put together a list of cars that they feel are the safest choices for first time drivers. http://www.cars.com/go/criteriaSearch/lifestylecritieriasearch.jsp?styletype=First-Time+Drivers

Top picks from the list include cars like the Chevrolet Sonic, which Cars.com praises for driving like a bigger car than it actually is. The styling is more unique than other cars in its class, and the tech features make it a standout. Chevrolet’s MyLink system includes hands-free voice texting and phone calls and newer models include Apple’s Siri Eyes Free program.

Also making the list is the Toyota Prius c, the newest hybrid entry from Toyota introduced last year. The hybrid’s estimated 53 mpg city rating is the highest for all non-plugin cars. The Prius c is easy to drive, functional and best of all cheap to drive. It is even available in fun colors such as Habanero Orange.

Even though buying a shiny new car would make any teen driver happy, buying a model a year or two old will still get you the same car with the same level of safety for a much lower price. You can find good deals on recent models like the Toyota Prius c at http://www.enterprisecarsales.com/toyota, and look for other recommended models on the Cars.com list.