Your child is finally 16 and getting their driver’s license. The idea of your baby learning to drive can be a stressful one! And parents are right to be concerned. A study by Liberty Mutual found that 90 percent of teen drivers admitted to talking on the phone while they were driving. Almost 80 percent admitted to sending a text while driving. Both of these practices can be hazardous and even fatal while driving. Having conversations with teenagers about maintaining focus and avoiding distractions is one of the biggest keys to safety on the road today.
When you choose a car for a new teenage driver, many factors come into play. Cost, of course, is one factor, but for most parents, safety is the biggest issue in buying a car for their teenager. The safer the vehicle a parent can choose for their teenage driver, the better. US News and World Report chose its best new and used cars for new teenage drivers for 2018, based upon the car’s reliability, quality, safety ratings and technologies to avoid accidents. Newer cars, of course, had higher safety ratings than used cars as they usually included more up-to-date safety measures. Your choice of car for your teenager also depends upon your budget, of course. Some of the vehicles they recommend for new, teenage drivers within various price ranges include:
Newer Cars Recommended:
2019 Honda Fit was chosen as the best new car for teens priced under $20,000. Safety features include a rear view camera, forward collision warning, and blind spot monitoring.
2018 Hyundai Ioniq is their choice for the best new car for teenage drivers within the $20,000 to $25,000 price range. Its blind spot monitoring, rear view camera, lane keep assist and automatic emergency braking were praised.
2018 Toyota Camry is the selection for best new car for teens from $25,000 to $30,000 in price. Safety features include forward collision warning, lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking.
2018 Kia Sportage was chosen as the best new SUV for teens priced from $25,000 to $30,000. Blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning are just a few of its many safety features.
2018 Hyundai Tucson is the choice for the best new SUV for teens priced from $30,000 to $35,000. Rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking are some of its safety features.
2018 Toyota Prius Prime is their choice for the best new car for teens priced from $30,000 to $35,000. It includes forward collision warning, lane departure warning and lane keep assist.
2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid is the selection for the best new car for teens priced from $35,000 to $40,000. It includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning and lane departure warning.
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is chosen as the best new SUV for teens priced from $35,000 to $40,000. Its 360-degree camera system (optional), front and rear parking sensors and automatic emergency braking are great for new teen drivers.
Used Cars Recommended:
2014-15 Buick Verano was chosen by the editors as the best used small car for teenagers. These model years include rear parking sensors, rear view camera and blind spot monitoring.
2014 GMC Terrain is their choice for the best used small SUV for new teenage drivers. Blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning and lane departure warning are some of its safety features.
2015 Toyota Camry was selected as the best used midsize car for teenagers. This model year features a standard rear view camera, with other safety options like automatic emergency braking available.
2015 Chevrolet Traverse is the choice for the best used midsize SUV for teen drivers. Blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and forward collision warning are a few of its safety features.
2015 Buick LaCrosse is the best used large car for teens according to the editors. Forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking are all available on this model year.