If you’re a patriotic parent hoping to put your teen behind the wheel of a safe and affordable all-American ride, I’ve got bad news. The latest “Best Used Cars for Teens” list from IIHS featured 55 vehicles, but no sedans from the Detroit Three. And barely any SUVs. Zero Dodges, Jeeps, or Buicks made the cut. Not one. The foreign automakers? They ran the table. [Entire list below].

Just three Detroit SUVs earned a spot on the top-tier “Best Choices” of used vehicles for teens list:

• Chevrolet Trailblazer (small SUV)
• Ford Bronco Sport (small SUV)
• Ford Explorer (midsize SUV)

How IIHS picked the safest teen car options

The IIHS and Consumer Reports ranked cars based on crash test results, reliability, braking, and emergency handling. All top picks earned good ratings in five IIHS crash tests and had solid marks for usability. “Best Choices” vehicles also include automatic emergency braking and top-rated headlights. Every vehicle on the list weighs more than 2,750 pounds. As I previously wrote, being able to stop quickly and protect its occupants if the worst happens puts it right in the crash safety sweet spot. Much smaller and it crumples, much bigger and it becomes a cannonball.

The IIHS added: “As in past years, the list doesn’t include anything with excessive horsepower relative to weight or anything marketed for performance. Such vehicles can entice young drivers to take risks or lead them to speed unintentionally.”

What didn’t make the cut? Anything sporty, oversized, or weirdly tiny. Think Dodge Charger, Chevy Tahoe, or Fiat 500. They’re either too powerful, too heavy, or too fragile. All no-gos for a first-time teen car.

Honorable mentions from Detroit

The lower-tier “Good Choices” list had more American metal—but only certain model years. These include:

• Chevrolet Volt (2014 and newer)
• Chevrolet Bolt (2017 and newer)
• Chrysler 200 (2015–2017)
• Ford Fusion (2017–2020)
• Lincoln MKZ (2017 and newer)
• Buick Encore (2016 and newer)
• Jeep Compass (2017–2021)
• GMC Terrain (2014 and newer)
• Chevrolet Equinox (2016–2017 built after Jan 2016; 2018 and newer)
• Chevrolet Traverse (2018 and newer)
• Lincoln MKX (2016–2018)
• Chrysler Pacifica (2017 and newer)

Only one Detroit vehicle made the “Best New Cars for Teens” list:

• GMC Acadia (built after January 2025)

The full “best choices” list for a used car for a teenager

Small cars:

• Toyota Corolla
• Honda Insight
• Mazda 3
• Toyota Prius
• Toyota Prius Prime
• Honda Civic
• Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Midsize cars:

• Toyota Camry
• Mazda 6
• Subaru Legacy
• Nissan Maxima
• Kia K5
• Lexus IS
• Subaru Outback
• Volvo S60
• Hyundai Sonata
• Mercedes-Benz C-Class
• Honda Accord

Large cars:

• Genesis G80
• Genesis G90
• Acura RLX

Small SUVs:

• BMW X2
• Mazda CX-3
• Subaru Forester
• Mazda CX-5
• Chevrolet Trailblazer
• Ford Bronco Sport
• Nissan Rogue
• Hyundai Tucson
• Mazda CX-30
• Kia EV6
• Mitsubishi Outlander
• Toyota Corolla Cross

Midsize SUVs:

• Acura MDX
• Volvo XC90
• Lexus NX
• Honda Pilot
• Ford Explorer
• Volkswagen Tiguan
• Toyota Highlander
• Honda Passport
• Nissan Murano
• Mazda CX-9
• Audi Q4 e-tron
• Acura RDX
• Subaru Ascent

Detroit isn’t winning the safe teen car race

If you grew up believing American cars were built like tanks, this list is a wake-up call. When it comes to teen safety, Detroit’s no longer leading the charge. In fact, it barely qualified for the game. Learn more about how the list’s developed in the video below: