It can be a challenge, however, to find a suitable car from 2012 and after for less than $10,000, she said. Some carmakers included electronic stability control on earlier models, however, and those may be found at lower prices. For a list, check the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Also, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety offers a list of recommended used cars for teenagers. (Consumer Reports does, too, but you need to be a subscriber to see the details.)

For families willing to consider a new car, many models have advanced safety features.

One challenge, Mr. Epstein said, is that different manufacturers use different names for the same technologies and may offer them in a bewildering array of combinations, so shoppers should read up on the different systems before buying.

Toyota, for instance, offers a Safety Sense bundle on many models; Subaru markets an EyeSight driver-assist package. Mazda has made automatic emergency braking at lower “city” speeds standard on most of its 2018 cars, but getting the feature at highway speeds generally means pricier trim lines. (Automatic emergency braking is expected to become standard on most new cars by September 2022.)

“You really have to learn what your individual vehicle does,” Mr. Epstein said.

In a follow-up email, he also advised having the auto dealership explain how the safety features work, and taking time to read the owner’s manual.

“If you are not accustomed to driving with these features,” he said, “they can be a bit confusing or disorienting at first, just like getting used to any new feature.”

One option for keeping monthly payments lower while getting advanced safety features is leasing a new car, Ms. Stockburger said. Typically, Consumer Reports doesn’t recommend leasing because it is often less economical in the long term. But giving a new driver a safer car is a possible exception; leases may be available for around $200 a month, or even less, depending on your credit history.