3. 2006 Lexus IS

Why young drivers like it: The IS series is an entry point to Lexus cachet, offering a quiet, if not overtly muscular, ride along with the luxury appointments for which the brand is known. But many of those are optional — and like its BMW 3 Series arch nemesis, the base price can easily swell with added features: Leather seats up the sticker by $1,290 and a navigation system will run $2,550 more.

What mom and dad think: It’s a good choice, safety-wise, with solid ratings including a Silver Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. For those who endure tough winters, the AWD option on the IS 250 is worth considering.