April 2008
Cars for teen drivers
Find a suitable vehicle for your young motorists
When buying a vehicle, safety and reliability are important considerations, especially if it’s for a young driver, since they
usually do not have a lot of driving experience or money. When shopping for a car for that young driver, look for ones with
advanced safety features and good crash-test results. Generally speaking, bigger and heavier vehicles perform better in crash
tests. But larger vehicles can have unwieldy handling and offer poor fuel economy.
Large pickups and SUVs are not recommended for young, inexperienced drivers because their high centers of gravity make them more prone to roll over than other vehicles. Sports cars are also a poor choice for young drivers. They beg to be driven too fast and have a higher rate of accidents than other cars.
In the list above, we’ve identified vehicles that Consumer Reports has tested that we think are appropriate for young drivers. The list is based on our test results, and government and insurance-industry crash-test results. These vehicles also showed average or better reliability, according to our 2007 subscriber survey. (Find out how you can compare these cars and get unlimited price reports with the Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Kit.)
We did not consider autos with 0-to-60-mph acceleration times faster than 8 seconds or slower than 11 seconds, those with braking distances longer than 145 ft. in dry conditions, or those with mediocre emergency-handling scores. Many vehicles that have been tested in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) side-crash test without side air bags have been rated poor, the lowest rating. Therefore, we recommend that you look for a vehicle with head-protecting side air bags. You can see all IIHS crash-test ratings at www.hwysafety.org. Vehicles with electronic stability control may also provide benefits for less experienced drivers.
Newer models generally offer more safety features and provide better crash protection. Try to buy the most safety that your budget can afford, since no one needs these safety advantages more than a teenage driver.
CR'S RECOMMENDATIONS
Choosing a car for a young person will usually involve compromises between budget and desirable features. The best bet is to buy the newest, most reliable model with the most safety equipment you can afford. If your budget can handle a newer car with multistage advanced front air bags, side and head-protection air bags, antilock brakes, and electronic stability control, so much the better. The assistance these systems can provide in an emergency situation can be especially beneficial to an inexperienced driver. Tremendous advances in crash protection have been made in the past 10 years. Check the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Web sites to see crash results for models you are considering. Both sites post results that go back to the 1990s.
Consumer Reports maintains reliability Ratings on our Web site going back eight model years. Check the Ratings for any car you're considering, but also keep in mind that every used car gets treated differently. The older a car gets, the more its care and maintenance history will affect its overall performance and reliability.
As with any used car, we recommend having it thoroughly inspected by a qualified mechanic before you buy.
Large pickups and SUVs are not recommended for young, inexperienced drivers because their high centers of gravity make them more prone to roll over than other vehicles. Sports cars are also a poor choice for young drivers. They beg to be driven too fast and have a higher rate of accidents than other cars.
| Acura RSX | Mazda 3 (with side airbags) |
| Acura TSX | Mercury Milan |
| Ford Focus sedan (2003 or later) | Pontiac Vibe (2006 or later) |
| Ford Fusion | Scion tC |
| Honda Accord (4-cyl.) | Subaru Impreza (not WRX) |
| Honda CR-V EX | Subaru Forester |
| Honda Civic EX | Toyota Camry (4-cyl.) |
| Honda Fit | Toyota Corolla |
| Hyundai Sonata (4-cyl., 2006 or later) | Toyota Matrix (2006 or later) |
| Hyundai Tucson | Toyota Prius |
| Kia Optima (2006 or later) | Toyota RAV4 (2001 or later, non-3rd row) |
In the list above, we’ve identified vehicles that Consumer Reports has tested that we think are appropriate for young drivers. The list is based on our test results, and government and insurance-industry crash-test results. These vehicles also showed average or better reliability, according to our 2007 subscriber survey. (Find out how you can compare these cars and get unlimited price reports with the Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Kit.)
We did not consider autos with 0-to-60-mph acceleration times faster than 8 seconds or slower than 11 seconds, those with braking distances longer than 145 ft. in dry conditions, or those with mediocre emergency-handling scores. Many vehicles that have been tested in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) side-crash test without side air bags have been rated poor, the lowest rating. Therefore, we recommend that you look for a vehicle with head-protecting side air bags. You can see all IIHS crash-test ratings at www.hwysafety.org. Vehicles with electronic stability control may also provide benefits for less experienced drivers.
Newer models generally offer more safety features and provide better crash protection. Try to buy the most safety that your budget can afford, since no one needs these safety advantages more than a teenage driver.
CR'S RECOMMENDATIONS
Choosing a car for a young person will usually involve compromises between budget and desirable features. The best bet is to buy the newest, most reliable model with the most safety equipment you can afford. If your budget can handle a newer car with multistage advanced front air bags, side and head-protection air bags, antilock brakes, and electronic stability control, so much the better. The assistance these systems can provide in an emergency situation can be especially beneficial to an inexperienced driver. Tremendous advances in crash protection have been made in the past 10 years. Check the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Web sites to see crash results for models you are considering. Both sites post results that go back to the 1990s.
Consumer Reports maintains reliability Ratings on our Web site going back eight model years. Check the Ratings for any car you're considering, but also keep in mind that every used car gets treated differently. The older a car gets, the more its care and maintenance history will affect its overall performance and reliability.
As with any used car, we recommend having it thoroughly inspected by a qualified mechanic before you buy.
