One of the best new cars for teenagers, who urgently need vehicles with excellent safety ratings according to research, is the 2025 Chevy Trailblazer, which placed sixth after several Toyota, Honda, Subaru, and other vehicles with origins in Asia.
The 2025 Chevy Trailblazer won a spot on the list thanks to its affordability – with a $24,395 starting MSRP for the FWD LS trim that’s well below the $30,000 threshold – and its 4.2-star NHTSA safety rating (out of 5 stars), per the report by Kelley Blue Book.
The KBB study highlights the numerous standard safety features offered on the Bow Tie’s compact crossover, including Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and GM IntelliBeam automatic high-beam headlamps as among the best of this tech. The Driver Confidence Package (RPO code ZL5) is recommended, though this $395 option can only be had on the LT, RS and Activ trims only and is not available on the entry-level LS.
Kelley Blue Book also gave the 2025 Chevy Trailblazer a thumbs-up for its styling, along with its fuel economy, cargo space and interior legroom. The choice focuses heavily on safety technology, since “per mile traveled, teen drivers crash about four times as often as drivers 20 and older,” according to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Joseph Young.
The 2025 Chevy Trailblazer made the list because of its relatively rare combination of pricing under $30,000 and significant amounts of modern safety technology. Furthermore, Chevrolet vehicles feature available GM Teen Driver technology, accessed via Chevrolet MyLink. This tech provides functions such as preventing other safety tech from being switched off, a speed limiter, audio and visual speed alerts, seat belt audio mute, a report card feature, and more.
As a reminder, the 2025 Trailblazer is motivated as standard by the new E85-compatible turbocharged 1.2L I3 LBP engine developing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, replacing the 2024 model year’s turbocharged 1.2L I3 LIH gasoline engine. Another powerplant – the turbocharged 1.3L I3 L3T gasoline, good for 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque – is available as an option. FWD is standard and AWD is available.
For structure, the third-gen Trailblazer uses the GM VSS-F platform, while production for North America takes place at the GM Bupyeong plant in South Korea.
Comments
What an asinine study. When I’M sqwalking about the high prices, including of the TB, like hell I’d buy one for a teen. A $10K beater, max. Bet 90% of Americans would agree. KBB has gone off the deep end.
Buying a brand new $30k vehicle for a teenager? Tell me you are out of touch with most of America without telling me you are out of touch with most of America.
Ten thousand dollar beater sounds good for the first few years of learning to drive and deal with traffic. Then tell your kid you will pay for half of whatever car they can afford. But some parents have more money than brains, so some kids receive new cars to start with.
It’s a nationwide epidemic that, unfortunately, only a WAY overdue “Great Recession 2.0” will fix by bringing folks with unearned gains back to reality. And prices pumped up during the pandemic also back to reality.
A teenager and a new car? are you out of your minds? A good thousands of dollars less used one is a much wiser and more economical choice.
Agreed. I think those with the 3.8 would make for a good beater…
What teens get a new 2025 Blazer?