How to Choose the Best Car for New Drivers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While there are many factors to consider when buying a car, there are three that you must not overlook when choosing a car for a young or new driver. These are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reliability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Teenagers aren\u2019t the best drivers. They\u2019re far more prone to crashes<\/strong><\/a> than other kinds of drivers \u2013 Consumer Reports states that teens have four times the crash rates of drivers 20 years and older. And when they experience unexpected breakdowns, these inexperienced drivers are less likely to know how to address the situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As such, it\u2019s essential to find a car that has a reputation for reliability. These are cars that require minimal maintenance and repairs, have a low record of breakdowns and recalls, can run smoothly for decades, and as a result, top reliability rankings from places like Consumer Reports and J.D. Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the old saying goes, \u201cprevention is better than cure.\u201d The best cars for teen drivers come with an abundance of safety features that can help warn and even prevent drivers from collisions. Here are some of the key features you should look for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aside from driver-assist features, it\u2019s also important for parents to look up a vehicle\u2019s car safety ratings. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are issued and are given to vehicles after rigorous crash tests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re paying for your kid\u2019s gas allowance or they\u2019re shouldering the cost themselves, a fuel-efficient vehicle should make things easier for everyone. Sedans and compact cars are typically more fuel-efficient than SUVs and trucks. Hybrids and electric cars are also gaining more popularity these days, but they tend to be more expensive to insure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Gen Z is also known as the most environmentally-conscious generation, and thus it\u2019s important to consider your teen\u2019s values when it comes to emissions. If your teenager is concerned about their carbon footprint, you can consider getting them a plug-in hybrid or a hybrid<\/strong><\/a> vehicle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n New and used cars come with their own sets of pros and cons. New vehicles come with more advanced safety and driver-assist features and have better fuel efficiency all around. They also have the advantage of having never been driven before \u2013 thus having zero issues from wear and tear, weather damage, and collisions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Used cars, on the other hand, typically come cheaper than new cars. This is exacerbated by the fact that cars will depreciate by 10 percent the minute they\u2019re driven off the lot and by up to 20 percent after one year of driving. A vehicle\u2019s gas mileage can also bring down its price \u2013 the more it\u2019s been driven, the cheaper it sells for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, used car prices depend on market conditions and availability too. And no thanks to the pandemic, used car prices<\/strong><\/a> in 2021 are said to be up by 18 percent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are 12 cars that have a reputation for being reliable, practical, and generally safe vehicles for young and inexperienced drivers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Honda Civic frequently tops lists of the most reliable cars of all time. At the time it came out, it was only offered as a sedan. But since 2018, Honda has released a coupe and hatchback version as well. It\u2019s conservative when it comes to sipping gas, and it is one of the most low-maintenance vehicles you\u2019ll ever find. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For parents who prioritize safety above all, the Kelley Blue Book recommends the 2018 Honda Civic EX<\/strong><\/a>, which comes with a full suite of advanced safety features. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Consumer Reports called the Toyota Camry \u201cone of the best models among midsize sedans.\u201d Not only is it affordable and fuel-efficient, but it comes with \u201ceasy-to-use controls\u201d and a quiet cabin \u2013 making it an excellent choice for new drivers who are still getting the hang of driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Camry also comes in a hybrid version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Hyundai Sonata doesn\u2019t have as big a reputation or fan base as the Camry or the Civic. However, Car and Driver called it \u201cexceedingly fuel efficient\u201d and went on to say that the Sonata<\/strong><\/a> provided one of the \u201cbest values in its class.\u201d It also earned a Top Safety Pick badge from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It doesn\u2019t hurt that it stands out looks-wise, too, with its unique grille and headlight design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Jetta is on Consumer Reports\u2019 list of the best-midsized cars for teens. Like the Sonata, the 2017 Jetta has a Top Safety Pick badge from the IIHS and gained the highest rating (Good) in roof strength and head restraints in the crashworthiness test. In addition, the headlights have an acceptable rating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Volkswagen also packs many neat driver-assist features into the small car, from a forward warning collision system, blind-spot monitor, autonomous emergency braking, rear traffic alert, park pilot, and adaptive cruise control. With all this in place, you can rest easy knowing your teen driver has all the help they can get on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite being on the smaller end, this subcompact has a spacious cabin \u2013 living up to its name. Moreover, for its affordable price, the Fit comes with a whole range of safety features you won\u2019t find on most of its peers, from automated emergency braking to lane-keeping assist. Like the others on this list, the Fit also boasts a five-star rating from the NHTSA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, this car is a good fit for budget-conscious parents who want to equip their kids with a safe, practical, and spacious ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like its cousin, the Toyota Camry, the Corolla is a fuel-efficient sedan that has long been known for its practicality and reliability. It\u2019s been around for ages, but it\u2019s still able to measure up to newer contenders. Young parents may even remember driving their own or riding in a friend\u2019s Corolla in their teens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kelley Blue Book<\/strong><\/a> recommends the LE trim level with the Convenience Package to parents who want to be extra cautious. It has advanced safety features such as hill-start assist, lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Kia Soul is a subcompact crossover SUV that stands out for its exciting cube shape. It\u2019s spacious enough for four passengers and all their cargo, making it an excellent car for summer road trips with friends. In addition, there is an EV version for those who want to reduce their carbon emissions and save on fuel money. It runs up to 280 miles on a single charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The EV version has several driver-assist features, such as forward collision-avoidance assist, lane following assist, lane-keeping assist, and intelligent cruise control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among the list of midsized SUVs recommended by Consumer Reports for teens, the Subaru Outback is the most affordable at $8,700. Spacious, easy to drive, and surprisingly fuel-efficient compared to most other SUVs out there, this vehicle is a good option for kids who aren\u2019t fans of hatchbacks or sedans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It also boasts a long list of standard safety features, including a rearview camera, pedestrian sensors, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, adaptive pivoting headlights, lane keep assist\u2026 and the list goes on!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll often see the Mazda CX-5 and Mazda 3 in lists of the best cars for teenagers, but you shouldn\u2019t overlook the Mazda 6 either. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2014 Mazda 6 is a Top Safety Pick badge holder at the IIHS, with standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency brakes, blind-spot monitoring, and rear-cross-traffic alert. While it doesn\u2019t have a hybrid model nor excellent fuel economy, it offers easy handling for beginner drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus, it\u2019s got a classy design inside and out, making it look way more expensive than it actually is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Consumer Reports, the Legacy provides a \u201csuper-comfortable ride\u201d that eclipses even luxury cars. This 4-door vehicle is the sedan version of the Outback and thus carries much of the features that make the Outback such an excellent car for teens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Standard safety features include forward-collision warning, automatic braking, and pedestrian detection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Excellent fuel economy aside, the Chevrolet Equinox is one of the few subcompact SUVs on the market to come with a set of features made specifically to keep teen drivers safer on the road. Chevy\u2019s Teen Driver Technology lets parents set speed alerts and volume limits and provides an in-vehicle report card of the driver\u2019s handling. In short, the tech also works as a teaching tool that can help parents coach teen drivers even when they can\u2019t be on every ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSafety Features and Ratings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Fuel Efficiency <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Should I Get a New or Used Car?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Our Top 12 Best Cars for Teenagers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Honda Civic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.carpages.ca\/prod-blog\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1827666539-2-1024x427.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nToyota Camry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.carpages.ca\/prod-blog\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1213231189-1-1024x427.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHyundai Sonata<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.carpages.ca\/prod-blog\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1589578654-1-1024x427.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nVolkswagen Jetta<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"2021](\"https:\/\/assets.carpages.ca\/prod-blog\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_2030531696-1-1024x427.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHonda Fit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.carpages.ca\/prod-blog\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1533595544-1-1024x427.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nToyota Corolla<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.carpages.ca\/prod-blog\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1340780855-2-1024x427.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nKia Soul<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"used](\"https:\/\/assets.carpages.ca\/prod-blog\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_386370811-1-1024x427.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSubaru Outback<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.carpages.ca\/prod-blog\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1618472287-1-1024x427.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMazda 6<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.carpages.ca\/prod-blog\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1311613958-1-1024x427.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSubaru Legacy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.carpages.ca\/prod-blog\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_472595845-1-1024x427.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nChevrolet Equinox<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.carpages.ca\/prod-blog\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1986553469-1-1024x427.jpg\")
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.carpages.ca\/prod-blog\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_638078806-2-1-1024x427.jpg\")
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