Yahoo Autos 8 safest new cars for teens
Choosing a car for a teen driver means making tough financial decisions at a time when college bills and lodging expenses loom on the horizon. The temptation, and often necessity, is to buy a cheap, bare-bones model or pass down a family car. But given that the car will be transporting precious cargo, careful consideration should be given to choosing the best car your budget will allow.
The sad reality is that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 14-18 year olds. In fact, almost half of teens involved in a crash die, according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
While choosing a car with a solid reliability track record and excellent safety marks is a great start, we suggest going further to pick a model that is well-suited to inexperienced drivers.
Generally speaking, bigger and heavier vehicles perform better in crash tests. But very large vehicles can have unwieldy handling, offer poor fuel economy, and allow for more passengers—a potentially dangerous distraction that has been shown to increase a young driver’s crash risk.
Large pickups and SUVs are not recommended for 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. Consequently, they often carry high insurance premiums for young drivers.
Check our guide to teen driving.
Smart choices
For this list, we did not consider cars with 0-60-mph acceleration times faster than 8 seconds or slower than 11 seconds, those with braking distances longer than 145 feet in dry conditions, or those with mediocre emergency-handling scores.
Each car here carries a Consumer Reports Recommendation, meaning it meets our stringent standards for test performance, reliability, and safety. Carrying it a step further, each featured car has also earned Top Safety Pick Plus accolades from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. To be designated as a Top Safety Pick Plus, a car has to earn at least an Acceptable rating in the small-overlap front-crash test and a Good rating in all other crash tests. In addition, it has to have a front-crash-prevention system equipped with an automatic emergency-braking (autobrake) feature that earns an advanced or superior rating in their front-crash-prevention ratings. Electronic stability control is a must-have for inexperienced drivers (and recommended for all). Good news is that ESC was made standard on all passengers cars in 2012.
Mazda3
Base MSRP price range: $16,945 - $26,595
Whether as a sedan or hatchback, the Mazda3 is really fun to drive and gets great fuel economy. It also offers a host of luxury features rarely matched by any other small car. At 33 mpg, the Mazda3 is the most fuel-efficient compact that isn't a hybrid or a diesel. High-tech features include a multimedia system with a large touch screen, as well as active safety features such as a blind-spot monitoring system. On the downside, the car can be loud on the highway, and ride comfort is acceptable but far from class leading. The multimedia controls can be cumbersome, and other small cars have roomier rear seats. Ultimately, the fun-factor, with an engaging driving experience, is what may most appeal to a teen.
Mazda CX-5
Base MSRP price range: $21,545 - $29,220
Think of the CX-5 as bundling fun with sport/cute versatility and impressive fuel economy. It has taut, agile handling and quick, well-weighted steering. The trade off is the ride can be a bit choppy, and the cabin lets in too much road and wind noise. The 2.0-liter and the more responsive 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines returned a very competitive 25 mpg overall in our tests. The 2.0-liter, available only with front-wheel drive, is slow at launch and requires prodding to keep up with traffic. The 2.5-liter provides noticeably quicker acceleration. The six-speed automatic is fairly smooth; a six-speed manual is available on base versions. The interior is roomy and versatile, with simple controls, but cheap touches are evident. Reliability has been above average. Updates for the 2016 model year include a new audio system with a controller knob.
Subaru Forester
Base MSRP price range: $22,195 - $33,095
Following its back-to-basics redesign, the Forester sets a high standard in the small SUV class. Its positives include large windows, big doors, an excellent driving position, and unusually spacious rear seating. In our tests, the 2.5-liter four-cylinder and CVT averaged a near-class-leading 26 mpg overall. Downsides include the somewhat choppy ride and less-than-agile—although ultimately secure—handling. Engine noise is pronounced at times, too. Controls are very simple, and in 2015 the infotainment and connectivity systems will finally be updated. Midtrim Foresters bring a lot of content for the money. The optional X-Mode gives it some off-road ability. New for 2015 is a standard backup camera for all trim lines.
Subaru Impreza
Base MSRP price range: $18,195 - $23,295
The Impreza is a particularly well-rounded package and is among our top-scoring compact sedans. The ride is very absorbent and controlled. Handling is responsive and secure. Acceleration is adequate, and fuel economy of 27 mpg overall for the sedan is excellent given the standard all-wheel drive. The hatchback gets 26 mpg overall and has a handy-sized cargo area. The road and engine noise of past models has been smoothed out for the 2015 Impreza. The infotainment system has been updated and includes a handy touch screen. The interior is spacious for the class, controls are straightforward, and visibility is good. Crash-test results are excellent, and Subaru's EyeSight suite of advanced safety gear is available.
Subaru Legacy
Base MSRP price range: $21,695 - $29,595
The redesigned Legacy is roomier, quieter, and much more refined, helping it become our top-scoring midsized sedan. Its ride is better than some luxury cars, and handling is sound and secure. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder is no rocket, but it gets the job done and returns 26 mpg overall. A 3.6-liter six-cylinder is also available. Both engines use a CVT that behaves much like a conventional automatic. The much-needed infotainment improvements include a 6.2-inch touch screen and multifunction display with Internet radio and Bluetooth. Uplevel models add a larger screen and upgraded audio. New safety features include a standard rear-view camera and an available rear radar system with blind-spot, cross-traffic, and lane-change warnings.
Subaru XV Crosstrek
Base MSRP price range: $21,595 - $29,295
The Crosstrek is a small quasi-SUV version of the Impreza hatchback, with a raised ride height that gives it enough altitude to slosh through deeply rutted roads and enough attitude to look cool on campus. Sure, the cabin is a bit noisy, the ride is stiff, and the 148-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine has to work hard to maintain highway speeds, but fuel economy is a gratifying 26 mpg. The costlier Hybrid barely improves on that, at 28-mpg. At least the Hybrid is a little quieter and sounds less strained. Either way, the regular Impreza hatch may be a better choice: It's quieter, quicker, cheaper, and better riding.
Toyota Camry
Base MSRP price range: $22,970 - $31,370
After just three years into its current generation, Toyota reskinned America's most popular car, trying to inject more excitement. Interior appointments have been upgraded and center dashboard controls simplified. Suspension changes improved ride and handling, but only slightly. Handling is sound and secure, and the ride remains calm. The interior has been further isolated from road noise. The three impressive powertrain choices are the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder; a 3.5-liter V6; and the Hybrid, which gets an amazing 38 mpg overall. Save money all around and get the 2.5.
Toyota Prius
Base MSRP price range: $24,200 - $34,905
Particularly well-suited to students with an environmental mindset and/or a long commute, the Prius is extremely economical, averaging 44 mpg overall and 55 mpg on the highway in our tests. With light throttle input, it can quietly drive on electric power up to 25 mph. The ride is firm yet steady, and handling is sound and secure though not particularly agile. Road noise is pronounced. The interior is roomy, but fit and finish is just so-so and some controls take time to master. The plug-in version typically delivers around 12 miles on electricity, boosting mileage to the equivalent of 67 mpg. When the electric range is depleted, the car reverts to regular Prius performance, averaging 43 mpg overall. Reliability has been well above average for the regular Prius and the plug-in.
More from Consumer Reports:
Hits and misses from Consumer Reports’ testing
Best & worst car values
Best new cars for under $25,000
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