Choosing the right car for teenagers can be stressful for the parents because teenagers are often tired, careless, drowsy or drunk when driving. According to statistics, motor accidents are the major cause of death among U.S. teens. So, when choosing a car for them, the major factor you need to consider is its SAFETY features. Avoid purchasing sporty, luxurious, or large vehicles as they encourage overspeeding and recklessness besides increased fuel costs.
Due to the introduction of more stringent government rules regarding the safety of drivers, the automotive industry is paying special attention to crash and safety standards. The cars being produced now ensure the safety of their passengers.
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What Are The Best Cars for Teens
Take a look at the best available best cars for teens on the basis of affordability, reliability, and safety.
2017 Kia Soul Base
Base Price: $16,100
The Kia Soul Base is a five seat, front-wheel hatchback available in 3 trim levels. The standard model is powered by a 1.6L, Inline 4 engine with an output of 130 hp. You can also use UVO Eservices for your KIA to keep check on the driver. This system allows parents to keep track of the car even if they are not driving, set a pre-determined area for their teen and put a curfew limit and speed alert. You will receive notifications on your phone if the above rules are violated. The safety features include airbags, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, hill start assist control and tire pressure monitoring system.
2017 Honda Fit
Price: $16,090
This four-wheel drive with an aerodynamic profile and spacious interior is perfectly suited for teen life. The Honda Fit is fuel efficient and easy to drive. It is powered by a 1.5L, I-4 engine delivering a power output of 130 hp. The 0 – 60 mph is 8.5 sec with a top speed of 119 mph. The features that will attract your teen include a 7- inch audio touch screen, USB and HDMI ports and 180 Watt, 6-speaker audio system.
The safety features include blind-spot monitoring, airbags and antilock brakes for a safer driving experience.
2017 Hyundai Elantra
Price: $17,150
The all-new Hyundai Elantra is designed with advanced technological features for a class-above experience. The comfortable compact car is powered by a 2.0L Atkinson cycle engine that spawns 147 hp. The optional advanced safety features include Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, Smart Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-traffic Alert, and Lane Change Assist.
2017 Subaru Impreza
Price: $19,295
The new Subaru Impreza is a highly reliable vehicle that is available as a compact sedan and hatchback. It features a spacious interior, a more powerful engine, secure handling, and wet weather traction along with advanced safety features. With the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the 2017 Subaru Impreza provides your teen with the option to connect his Android or iPhone to the entertainment system and the screen starts displaying an interface similar to his phone. It offers a comfortable and economic ride featuring a fuel economy of 31 mpg. The car gets its power from 2.0 L, 4-cylinder engine that creates 148 hp.
2017 Subaru Crosstrek
Price: $21,695
The Subaru Crosstrek is a rugged 4-door SUV with space for 5 passengers, ideal for teen hangouts. The vehicle is powered by a 2.0L, flat 4-cylinder unit with an output of 148 hp. The 0 – 60 mph is 10.3 sec, while the top speed is118 mph. The security features include a superior front crash prevention system along with electronic stability control, antilock brakes and driver knee airbags to make it a safe and reliable vehicle for teens.
2017 Ford Fusion
Price: $22,120
This spectacular-looking 5-passenger, the mid-size sedan features a 2.5 L, four-cylinder engine yielding 325 hp. The 0 -60 mph is attached in 5.1 seconds, while the top speed is 131 mph. Ford also offers the MyKey system for teenagers. The system controls the audio system and speed limit and gives low fuel warning to the driver. The system also blocks all radio stations marked as “explicit”. The safety features of the Ford Fusion include airbags as standard while the optional features are a Blind spot information system, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, pothole mitigation technology, and enhanced Active Park assist with parallel and reverse perpendicular parking.
2017 Toyota Camry
Price: $23,070
With its bold exterior and sporty interior, the 2017 Toyota Camry is the best-selling midsize sedan in the US. Its 3.5L, V6 engine pumps out 268 hp. The high-speed control, easy handling, and optimal fuel economy rating of 33 mpg make it a vehicle you can consider buying for your teen. The safety features include blind-spot monitor and dynamic radar cruise control.
2016 Chevrolet Malibu
Price: $26,870
The car features a classy interior and impressive fuel efficiency with a power output of 160 hp. The safety features include multiple airbags and a telematics system. The Chevy’s new Teen Driver system prevents the driver from turning off the stability control, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitor systems. It also silences the audio system if the driver or passenger is not wearing a seat belt. Parents can set audio volume limits and a top-speed limit, ranging from 40-75 mph. The system also provides a report card presenting over speeding and hard brake details for the parents.
2016 Chrysler 200
Price: $22,990
The Chrysler provides teens with a highly finished cabin and an intuitive media interface with a marge display. The four-cylinder engine provides a fuel efficiency rating of 28 mpg. The standard model comes with airbags and a rearview camera. The optional safety features include blind-spot monitor, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
