With kids heading back to school, it may be time to research a new set of wheels to make sure they have reliable and safe transportation. With a selection of nearly 6,000 new and pre-owned vehicles, LaFontaine Automotive Group has the selection and knowledge to help you make the right decision for what vehicle is the best fit for your teen driver.
While cool tech features and eye-catching style may appeal to teenage drivers, crash test scores, active safety tech, and reliability should top the priority list for concerned parents. Accordingly, safety and dependability are the foundation of the U.S. News Best Cars for Teens awards. Parents can rest assure that all the vehicles on this list are sensible choices for new drivers.
Mom and dad’s concern is understandable. Teen drivers’ inexperience, combined with some destructive driving habits, make young drivers more likely to be involved in a crash. Distracted driving is a leading culprit in accidents involving teen drivers. According to a recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, distracted driving accounted for 57% of crashes involving a teen driver.
Unsurprisingly, a recent study by Liberty Mutual found that 90% of teen drivers admit to talking on the phone while driving, while 78% say they’ve sent a text from behind the wheel. Furthermore, 33% of teens were found to have been driving while drowsy.
In light of those unsettling statistics, crash avoidance technology and strong crash test scores are rightfully high priorities for parents of inexperienced drivers. All of the Best Cars for Teens have top-notch safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), along with an array of advanced accident avoidance features, strong reliability records, and positive reviews from the automotive press. They may not be the flashiest picks in their respective classes, but the Best New and Used Cars for Teens will help keep your teenager safe and happy.
First up, let’s have a look at the best new cars for teens, per US News’ rankings. Like previous studies, it capped segments into price categories: There’s a choice for best new car and new SUV under $20,000 and selections within $5,000 increments. New cars are no more expensive than $40,000 on the list.
The most affordable new-car choice on the list is the Hyundai Accent. The Korean subcompact car falls under $20,000 in the Limited trim, and to parents’ delight, it comes with a suite of active safety features. Namely, automatic emergency braking is standard. Looking at cars between $20,000 and $25,000, the Volkswagen Jetta earns the pick. Select the SE trim and a slew of active safety features will be onboard keeping young drivers safe at all times.
For SUVs, the Honda HR-V received the nod for the $20,000-$25,000 category, while the Kia Soul was the top pick for the $25,000-$30,000 category. Both have high predicted reliability ratings, return good fuel economy and offer active safety equipment within the price bracket. US News places a heavy emphasis on standard safety features to ensure teen drivers are in good hands.
Climbing up the price hierarchy, the Kia Forte, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota RAV4 and Camry Hybrid all earn a spot on the best new cars for teen drivers.
Let’s face it: Most teen drivers and parents are likely on a tighter budget. That’s where a pre-owned car may fit the bill, US News broke its picks down by size since used-car prices vary. Each car comes from the 2016 model year.
For a small car, the Toyota Prius is the recommended pick, while the Hyundai Tucson earned the choice for a small SUV. Both are Top Safety Pick Plus winners from the IIHS. The Toyota Camry shows up again on the used-car list for best midsize sedan, while the Buick LaCrosse was named the best large luxury car for teens. Back on the SUV front, the Chevrolet Traverse topped the list. The GM vehicles each come with a Teen Driver System to help parents monitor driving habits and set parameters. Want the music to stay muted until everyone is buckled? No problem.
With these top recommendations in mind for the right vehicle, head over to FamilyDeal.com and start the search for the right vehicle that meets the needs and safety requirements for your family.
**Some information in this blog post was pulled from U.S. News & World Report**
