When parents step onto the used-car lot to help their teen pick out a first car, many have two top concerns: affordability and safety.

And many parents struggle with how to satisfy both those needs in the same used vehicle.

In response to this need, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released a few lists this week that will prove helpful for both parents and dealers trying the find the right vehicles for those new to the driver seat.

IIHS released Wednesday a list of the safest used vehicles for teens, as research showed “many aren’t driving the safest ones,” the organization stated.

This marks the organization’s first-ever list of recommended used vehicles for teens.

"A teenager's first car is more than just a financial decision," says IIHS president Adrian Lund. "These lists of recommended used vehicles can help consumers factor in safety, in addition to affordability."

There are two tiers of recommended vehicles with options at various price points, ranging from less than $5,000 to nearly $20,000, “so parents can buy the most safety for their money, whatever their budget,” according to IIHS.

The list compiles recommended used vehicles for teens starting under $20,000, as well as a separate list for those searching for a vehicle under $10,000.

The lists break the vehicles up by segment, as well, and provides model-year suggestions.

The more expensive list includes vehicles such as the 2009 model year and later Lincoln MKS, as well as the Toyota Prius v in the midsize cars segment, for example.

In the $10,000 and under list, dealers will find older models, such as the 2005 and later Acura RL and the 2009 Ford Taurus.

IIHS also offered a little more insight into why lists like these can save parents time, money, and the potential injury of their teens.

The organization fielded a series of studies, one which showed minicars or small cars were the most commonly purchased type of vehicle for teens, among the 500 parents surveyed.

A little over 28 percent of the responders were buying for their teens from this category, which tends to not hold up as well as larger models during a crash.

Furthermore, a little more than half of newly purchased vehicles for teens, according to the survey, were from the 2006 model-year or earlier.

IIHS pointed out this can be a problem because older vehicles are much less likely to have safety features such as electronic stability control (ESC) and side airbags.

IIHS also offered a list of four factors parents should consider when buying a vehicle for their teens; this list will also be helpful to dealers looking for vehicles for teens on the lot:

According to IIHS:

• Young drivers should stay away from high horsepower.
• Bigger, heavier vehicles protect better in a crash.
• ESC is a must.
• Vehicles should have the best safety ratings possible.

And though this may be difficult for some families, IIHS said parents may want to consider shelling out a bit more for vehicles bought for their teens.

In the parent survey, the the mean purchase price for a teen's vehicle was about $9,800, while the median was just $5,300.

"Unfortunately, it's very difficult to get a safe vehicle for a teenager at the prices most people are paying," says Anne McCartt, IIHS senior vice president for research. "Our advice to parents would be to remember the risks teens take and consider paying a little more."

To view the complete lists of recommended vehicles for teens from IIHS, click here.