As summer approaches, we all begin to ache and wish for freedom. None more so than teenagers with newly minted driver’s permits and eager faces. Ready to take on the road, visit their friends, and go to the mall in their new car. Yet as a parent, you can’t help but worry about what your child may do and if the vehicle that they’re driving is safe for them. In this article, we have outlined five vehicles that have been rated safe for teenagers by the Kelly Blue Book and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). We will review which features they provide and how they may be useful for your new teen driver.
MAZDA CX-5:
To start us off, we will review the Mazda CX-5. Whether used or new, this vehicle has proven to be very safe, as it has been rated five stars by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA). Across the board, the Mazda CX-5 passed all crash tests with five stars, showing that the driver, passenger, and back seats would be protected to the highest standards of NHTSA.
Plus, in its t turbo signature, it comes loaded with advanced safety and driver-assist features. Additionally, it provides LED headlights, auto-leveling headlights, automatic high beams, lane-departure warnings, lane-keeping assists, and adaptive cruise control. Not to mention driver attention alert and smart rear brake support. It also offers excellent reliability. Its starting price is 39,650.
Honda CR-V
Much like the previous car, the Honda CR-V is a small SUV that aced the test given to it by the NHTSA. They differ in the tests administrated by the IIHS, where the Honda CR-V performed slightly worse than the Mazda CX-5. Though we also wish to note that there is a little over 4000 in the price difference between the two, with the CR-V being the more affordable option.
The trim of choice that we recommend would be the EX model, as it comes prepped with driver assists and advanced safety features such as lane-keeping assistance and lane-departure warning. It also has fog lights, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Coming in at $33,110 new, this car is undoubtedly a good investment.
Toyota Corolla
This car is a classic, and for a good reason too. The Toyota Corolla is a compact sedan that scored a 5-star rating with NHTSA, which for an SUV, is easier to do than with a sedan. It also has excellent fuel economy, reaching up to 41mpg on the highway and 35mpg combined. It has even more range if you go for their hybrid model. As far as safety, all trims come equipped with the standard safety features, TEN airbags throughout the car, and Whiplash-Injury-Lessening seats. With a starting price of $21,550, we can see why the Toyota Corolla is a staple for parents and new teen drivers everywhere. Did we mention the Pre-Collision with Pedestrian Detection because it’s standard for Toyota Safety Sense?
Mazda3
If you wish to spoil your child with a car that looks sportier than the rest on this list but still competes in safety with them, I would recommend the Mazda3. In the Mazda3, your child will feel like the coolest kid in school, as they will have a car that looks sleek and feels extra premium. Pound for pound and dollar for dollar, the Mazda3 is hard to beat. Like the other cars, the Mazda3 has excellent scores in all the crash tests performed by the NHTSA and the IIHS. It has ABS(Anti-Locking Brake System), Brake Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Traffic Sign Recognition. These features are just the tip of the iceberg: for only $29,400, you also get 35mpg highway and 30mpg combined. We highly recommend this stylish car for that child you wish to spoil.
Kia K5
Our last vehicle is another sedan, and it is the KIA K5. This is another car to spoil your (favorite?) child. Starting at 25,290, this sporty-looking car boasts features such as ABS, Hill Start Assist Control, Driver Attention Warning with Leading Vehicle Departure Alert, and Lane Keeping Assist. It also offers additional safety packages that provide parking assistance, smart cruise control, and highway driving assistance for those who may be a little nervous about their child taking on the highway. The K5 also boasts an impressive 37mpg on the highway and a 31mpg combined. Not a bad car to start with; maybe even keep it for yourself. (just kidding).
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