When asked by parents: “What is the safest car to get my new teen driver?” the Auto Club’s answer is: a mid-size car with a four-cylinder engine, automatic transmission, Antilock Braking System (ABS) and high safety crash test scores.
“A mid-size car is big enough to protect a novice driver in a crash, but small enough to be manageable for a novice driver,” said the Auto Club’s Automotive Research Center Manager Steve Mazor. “The four-cylinder engine limits acceleration capabilities and generally provides better fuel economy. Automatic transmissions are easier to drive and allow the novice to focus on the road as well as steering, acceleration and braking. Electronic stability control helps prevent roll-overs.”
The Auto Club’s Diamond Bar-based Automotive Research Center (ARC) developed a list of two groups of new cars that meet these criteria. Crash test scores are from the AAA/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration publication “Buying a Safer Car-2009” soon to be available at Auto Club offices or http://www.safercar.gov/ .
Group 1: 5 stars on all crash tests (at least 4 stars on rollover) 4 cylinder automatic |
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Acura | TSX | $29,970 |
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Chevrolet | $22,325 |
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Chevrolet | $26,275 |
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Dodge | Caliber | $20,325 | W / Auto Trans & Security Group |
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Hyundai | Sonata | $20,595 |
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Kia | Optima | $19,625 |
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Mazda | 6 | $21,900 |
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Nissan | Altima 4 door | $20,620 |
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Nissan | Altima Hybrid | $27,370 |
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Subaru | Legacy | $25,660 |
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Camry | $21,595 | W / Stability Control |
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Camry Hybrid | $26,900 |
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Group 2: 5 stars on all tests except 4 stars for rear occupant side impact (at least 4 stars on rollover) 4 cylinder automatic unless otherwise specified. | |||||||
Make | Model | MSRP (inc freight) |
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Chrysler | Sebring LX | $21,255 |
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Dodge | Avenger RT | $23,615 | W / Stability Program |
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Ford | Fusion S | $21,130 | Auto Trans & Stability Control |
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Kia | Rondo | $18,145 |
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MKZ | $33,490 | 6 Cylinder Engine (Std) |
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Mazda | 5 | $19,855 | Stability Control unavailable |
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Mercury | $24,630 | W / Stability Control |
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Subaru | Impreza | $23,160 |
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Subaru | Impreza Wagon | $23,660 |
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