Consumer Reports advises against buying larger trucks or full-size SUVs for inexperienced drivers because of the higher rollover risk. Also inappropriate: sports cars and any vehicle that can zoom from zero to 60 mph in less than eight seconds. (See "Some new cars are too hot to handle.")

To compile the following list of good cars for teens, Consumer Reports reviewed its own test results as well as government crash tests and picked cars that did well on its 2007 reliability survey. Its winners include:

Acura RSX

Mazda 3 (with side air bags)

Acura TSX

Mercury Milan

Ford Focus sedan (2003 or later)

Pontiac Vibe (2006 or later)

Ford Fusion

Subaru Impreza (not WRX)

Honda Accord (4-cyl.)

Subaru Forester

Honda CR-V EX

Toyota Camry (4-cyl.)

Honda Civic EX

Toyota Corolla

Honda Fit

Toyota Matrix (2006 or later)

Hyundai Sonata (4-cyl., 2006 or later)

Toyota Prius

Hyundai Tucson

Toyota RAV4 (2001 or later, no third row)

Kia Optima (2006 or later)