The Safest Cars For Your Teenage Driver

May 5, 2023 | Industry News

One of the hardest choices for parents to make is what kind of vehicle their child should drive.

The 2014-20 Mazda3 is among the recommended vehicles.

This is not a query to be treated casually. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), car accidents are the main cause of mortality among teenagers in the U.S. While road fatalities rose 10% in 2021, teen road deaths have followed the same pattern, increasing 11% to 3,058 in 2021.

“With road safety statistics headed the wrong way, it’s more important than ever that inexperienced, young drivers have vehicles with a high degree of occupant protection as well as good emergency handling, braking and reliability,” said IIHS Chief Research Officer David Zuby.

That’s why the IIHS and Consumer Reports have released the cars they consider to be the best choices for young drivers. 

“As parents, we can’t control what happens on the road once our teen driver pulls out of the driveway,” said Jennifer Stockburger, director of operations at CR’s Auto Test Center. “But we do have some say in the type of vehicle they drive off in, and that can make a huge difference. This list can help parents find vehicles that check all the boxes.”

Before you buy

Ultimately, the car they want will most likely not be on this list, but even before you consider which car to purchase, there are other things to keep in mind.

First, is your child mature enough to operate a vehicle safely? Has he or she earned the right to operate a vehicle?

Next, decide who will be responsible for paying for it, including any parking fees, maintenance, insurance, and fuel costs.

Then, be sure the driving school you select has to hold a state department of motor vehicles license and be completely accredited. Additionally, look into the comprehensive training that some automakers and racing schools offer expressly for teenagers.

Finally, lead by example. Your children will undoubtedly emulate your driving behaviors, both good and not-so-good. So, when driving, be sure to always wear a seat belt, don’t use your cellphone while driving and, above all, be courteous to other drivers.

Car considerations

While the list offers plenty of options, the ideal choice is a used family sedan because midsize and full-size sedans handle predictably in emergency circumstances, which is useful for inexperienced drivers. Consider a vehicle that can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in between eight and 11 seconds and has adequate engine power. New drivers lack the knowledge necessary to use high engine power safely. 

Also, be sure to check a vehicle’s crash rating as modern automobiles all have crash test ratings. There are two tests so be sure to look at both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the IIHS. Look for vehicles that scored “top pick” or “good” on IIHS tests, while the top vehicles scored four or five stars in NHTSA tests.

The IIHS suggests avoiding cars that are too small. In its list, no car weighs less than 2,750 pounds because small, light vehicles don’t provide enough protection in multiple-vehicle crashes. But officials also warn against opting for a vehicle that’s too large, such as a full-size SUV or pickup because they can be difficult to handle and are more likely to have increased braking distances.

Which vehicles top the list

The vehicles that made the list have top ratings in crash tests, and have substantially higher than average insurance claim rates for injury coverage.

In addition, all have above-average reliability scores from Consumer Reports. They also have emergency handling scores greater than or equal to 3 out of 5 and dry braking distances from 60 mph of 145 feet or less in the magazine’s tests. Finally, all cost $20,000 or less according to Kelley Blue Book.

Recommended new vehicles

The report also recommends new vehicles, which have earned top crash safety ratings and come with standard vehicle-to-vehicle automatic emergency braking. 

In addition, all vehicles have average or better reliability, based on Consumer Reports’ member surveys; average or better scores from Consumer Reports’ emergency handling tests; and dry braking distances of less than 140 feet from 60 mph in Consumer Reports’ brake tests. They also receive a rating of good or better from Consumer Reports for ease of use. To more top recommendations for new and used vehicles not seen here, please click here.

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