Lincoln MKZ Among 2025’s Best Used Cars For Teens

When it comes to used vehicles, consumers have many things to consider – value, safety, and reliability chiefly among them. This is especially true when teens and their parents are looking for a suitable vehicle, as they typically have less money to spend on one and also generally drive in a riskier manner than their elders. For parents of teens, Consumer Reports has historically put out a list of the best used vehicle options for those younger folks, but recently, it teamed up with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with that same goal in mind. When the results were tabulated, the Lincoln MKZ made the list of the best used options for teens.

In this new list, the 2017-2019 Lincoln MKZ was among a few “good” choices for the best mid-size cars for teens, thanks in part to its $8,900 average price tag, along with some inherent safety features. To make the cut on the CR/IIHS “good choice” list, vehicles must have a curb weight greater than 2,750 pounds and earn good ratings from IIHS in the original moderate overlap front, driver-side small overlap front, original side, roof strength and head restraint tests. They also have average or better scores from CR for braking and emergency/routine handling, plus usability scores for controls and displays of at least two out of five.

The Lincoln MKZ was among a handful of Blue Oval models that made the cut as suitable choices for teenagers, joining the Ford Bronco Sport (a “best choice” among small SUVs), the Ford Explorer (a best choice for mid-size SUVs), the Ford Fusion (a best choice among mid-size sedans), and the Lincoln MKX (a good choice for mid-size SUVs).

“Given consumers’ economic anxiety and the uncertainty around future vehicle prices, the availability of a wide range of safe, affordable used options is welcome news,” said Jessica Jermakian, IIHS senior vice president for vehicle research. “Helping your kid achieve a milestone of independence shouldn’t require compromising on safety.”