Your son or daughter just turned 16 and is going to get their driver’s license. But what will they drive?
The family car? A used car? A new car? Teens may want a sporty car and parents may want something large and presumably safer. What should families do?
During National Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 16-22, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center (ARC) reminds teens and their parents to review what it means to be a safe and responsible driver. That’s because car crashes are the number one cause of death and injury for teens, and one in five teen drivers will be in a crash during their first year of driving.
The Auto Club’s ARC has released its 2016 list of Best Cars for Teens. The list can help guide parents during the decision-making process when buying or leasing a vehicle for their teen driver or determining which existing family car to let their novice driver use. The list consists of midsized cars and crossovers which met certain criteria, including government crash-test scores.
“In order to help new drivers with limited driving experience and parents who may think that bigger is better, AAA recommends a midsized sedan or small crossover with a 4-cylinder engine, automatic transmission and high crash-test scores from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,” said ARC Manager of Automotive Engineering Megan McKernan.
The ARC selected only vehicles that scored NHTSA’s maximum 5 stars overall. Cars not tested by NHTSA were not included on the list. The manufacturer suggested retail prices (MSRP) are nearly all for 2016 base-model vehicles with an automatic transmission, including destination charges.
Automotive Research Center’s 2016 Best Cars for Teens
| Make | Model | MSRP (including destination charge) |
|---|---|---|
| Acura | TLX | $32,840 |
| BMW | X3 | $39,945 |
| Buick | Encore | $24,990 |
| Buick | LaCrosse | $34,735 |
| Buick | Regal | $27,990 |
| Chevrolet | Malibu | $22,500 |
| Chevrolet | Trax | $21,195 |
| Chrysler | 200 | $22,990 |
| Ford | Fusion | $22,995 |
| Ford | Fusion Hybrid | $26,060 |
| Ford | Fusion Energi | $31,995 |
| Ford | Edge | $29,595 |
| Honda | Civic | $20,275 |
| Honda | Accord | $23,840 |
| Honda | Accord Hybrid | $30,440 (2017 price and crash rating) |
| Honda | CR-V | $24,745 |
| Honda | HR-V | $20,915 |
| Hyundai | Elantra | $18,985 (2017) |
| Hyundai | Sonata Hybrid | $26,835 |
| Hyundai | Santa Fe Sport | $26,245 |
| Hyundai | Tucson | $23,595 |
| Kia | Forte | $17,340 |
| Kia | Optima Hybrid | $26,845 |
| Kia | Sorento | $25,995 |
| Kia | Sportage AWD | $23,885 (2017 price) |
| Lexus | NX 200t | $35,915 |
| Lincoln | MKZ | $35,935 |
| Mazda | Mazda 3 5-Door | $20,430 |
| Mazda | Mazda 6 | $23,830 |
| Nissan | Altima | $23,335 |
| Subaru | Forester | $24,470 |
| Subaru | Outback | $26,520 |
| Subaru | Legacy | $22,815 |
| Subaru | Crosstrek | $22,445 |
| Subaru | Crosstrek Hybrid | $27,245 |
| Toyota | Avalon Hybrid | $38,995 |
| Toyota | Camry | $23,965 |
| Toyota | Camry Hybrid | $27,685 |
| Toyota | Corolla | $18,195 |
| Toyota | Highlander | $31,450 |
| Toyota | RAV4 | $25,310 |
| Toyota | RAV4 Hybrid | $29,420 |
| Toyota | Prius | $25,095 |
| Volkswagen | Passat | $23,260 |
| Volvo | XC60 | $37,595 |