These are the best new cars and SUVs for young drivers
The Toyota Corolla is one of the most affordable models on the list of the best vehicles for young drivers, according to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Consumer Reports
Handing over the car keys to a son or daughter for the first time is certainly a life-changing experience. For a newly licensed driver, it means finally having the freedom to leave home without having to worry about getting a ride. For a parent, however, it is a milestone that is often fraught with fear and paranoia.
There, of course, eventually comes a point where a young driver needs a ride, whether it's to go to college or start a career with a diploma in hand. While many parents or young adults can buy an older car for a couple thousand dollars or less as a first vehicle, experts suggest that this is not always the best course of action. Instead, families should dig deep into their pockets to help a young driver get a new vehicle that is designed for safety and comes with many of the latest features to prevent accidents. After all, car accidents are still the leading cause of death for Americans ages 15 to 19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Fortunately, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has partnered with Consumer Reports (CR) to compile a short list of 18 new cars and SUVs that are best for young drivers based on various criteria. Prices range from $ 20,000 to $ 30,000, but it could well be money well spent helping someone new to life pilot a trip that is considered safe and sound.
"It can be tempting to buy a small, basic model for a teenager," says IIHS President David Harkey. “But we know that teens are among the riskiest drivers, so it's important not to skimp on safety. Spending a little more on state-of-the-art protection and accident prevention features is a worthwhile investment in your child's future. "
Each of the recommended models comes standard with automatic emergency braking to help prevent or at least reduce the severity of a frontal collision with a stopped vehicle or other obstruction. The IIHS has named all of them a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick + for 2020.
Additionally, each model is rated for its average or better reliability, based on CR member surveys. They also scored average or better on CR's emergency driving and brake tests. As if that wasn't enough, each got a good or better rating from CR for the ease of use of its controls to help prevent distracted driving.
You won't find any powerful sports cars on this list, which should be for obvious reasons, and there are no small cars that weigh less than 27,000 pounds. Despite advances in occupant protection, the Laws of Physics continue to dictate that a larger, heavier vehicle provides its occupants with greater protection in a collision than a smaller, lighter automobile.
Additionally, none of the vehicles on the list filed insurance claims more frequently than average under medical payment or personal injury protection coverage in recent model years and has not been significantly redesigned since.
Here's the IIHS and CR's list of the 18 most rational vehicle options for young drivers, with their starting prices included:
Small cars
Honda Insight: $ 22,930
Mazda 3: $ 21,500
Toyota Corolla (XLE / XSE with specific headlights): $ 19,600
Midsize cars
Honda Accord (except Touring models): $ 24,270
Mazda 6: $ 24,100
Nissan Altima SR, SV, SL and Platinum trims): $ 24,100
Subaru Legacy: $ 22,745
Subaru Outback (built after October 2019): $ 26,645
Small SUV
Chevrolet Equinox (LT only): $ 23,800
Honda CR-V (Touring and Hybrid trims): $ 25,150
Lexus UX (with specific headlights): $ 32,300
Kia Sportage (SX Turbo only, built after September 2019): $ 23,990
Mazda CX-3: $ 20,640
Mazda CX-5: $ 25,190
Subaru Forester: $ 24,495
Toyota RAV4 (Hybrid Limited with specific headlights only): $ 25,950
Midsize SUV
Hyundai Santa Fe (SEL with Premium Package or Limited Version): $ 26,275
Mazda CX-9 (built after December 2019): $ 33,890
0 Comments