So, your teenager has passed his or her driving test. Congratulations! And now they want to share your car! Out of the question! As proud as you are of them, there’s no way you’re letting them get behind the wheel of your trusty automobile. It’s time for them to learn the responsibility of maintaining their own car. But where to begin? Here are the 10 most popular cars to give teen drivers.
1. Audi A3
CarInsurance.com rated the Audi A3 the top choice for young drivers for two straight years. The long-term reliability, safety ratings, fuel consumption and insurance costs offset the fairly high starting price. Teens will love the car’s look, parents will love the cars practicality. Added stability for wet and icy road conditions will help, too.
2. 2007 Ford 500
Consider that the 2007 Ford 500 simply starts at less than $10,000, and comes with a standard safety feature. When the car came out, its slow acceleration was a drawback, but you don’t really want your teen going from 0 to 60 mph in four seconds or less.
3. Honda Accord
The guaranteed winner on a lot of car lists, it’s hard to go wrong with the Honda Accord’s space, capabilities and affordability. The four cylinder engine provides fantastic fuel economy, and with the standard back-up camera, you may find yourself driving your teenager’s new car more than they do.
4. 2007 – 2012 Ford Fusion
Accidents are inevitable, so the good news is that the 2007 – 2012 Ford Fusion tested well in crashes. But what will reassure parents even more is the MyKey functionality, which lets parents set the speed limit of the car, and deactivate such essentials as the radio until the seat belts are locked in.
5. Mercury Sable
The Mercury Sable may not turn too many heads with how it looks, but the stability, security and affordability will more than make up for it. The 2008 version ranks as one of the cars with the lowest insurance rates for teen drivers.
6. 2012 Mazda3
Small, light, durable, nimble, the Mazda3 handles precisely and sharply. The car received very positive crash scores, and is cozy enough to allow passengers without becoming a party car.
7. Subaru Forester
But sometimes you need to go bigger. The 2013 Subaru Forester is the most comfortable small SUV out on the market, with enough space to carry luggage, and comes standard with all-wheel drive for slick roads.
8. 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
The VW Jetta didn’t sweep automobile awards ceremonies, which is all the more reason why it’s a great car to give to your teen. The car handles nicely for maneuverability and simplicity, lacking many of the electronic and entertainment frills which a lot of cars have now.
9. Saturn VUE
The Saturn automobile brand is a thing of the past, but its VUE SUV offers practicality, solid performance and good insurance rates for teen drivers.
10. 2010 Toyota Matrix
What car list would be complete without a Toyota entry? The Matrix is small, handles quite easily, doesn’t pack a mean punch under the hood, and performed well in crash tests. The car offers space, without being too roomy.
