You are a good dad to be thinking this through! Lucky daughter.
Interesting to read others' experience and suggestions. IMO, safety has to be a high priority, especially in a big crowded city.
We have 3 sons but no daughters so my experience with their high school vehicles may not apply but....
4WD Ranger pickup was reliable, tough, and durable. It survived and kept 2 of them safe through multiple bumps and bashes. Went over 180K with only minor issues and was cheap and easy to repair. 4WD got them home in snow and fit their desire for "adventure" in the foothills. A Jeep Cherokee 4.0 we had was similar but more expensive to operate.
Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 not so much. POS and not a good choice. Was in the shop more than I care to remember and expensive for a teen.
Honda Civic was too small and vulnerable. I was never comfortable with that one.
VW Jettas (we had 4) were great teenager cars. Good safety equipment and reputation, responsive, and were reliable for us. When they broke, though, they were difficult to repair.
If I had to do it again, I like the small SUV/pickup idea the best. Extended cab holds friends and there was always stuff to haul around.
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