Exploring the Safest Used Cars for New Drivers
While it’s an important rite of passage, putting your teen driver behind the wheel of their first car can be a stressful experience for any parent. New drivers are particularly susceptible to the dangers of the road, and there are plenty of sobering statistics to back that up. So how can parents help to prevent some of these worst-case scenarios when their kids are itching to hit the road for the first time? It all starts with choosing the right vehicle.
While automotive safety technology has dramatically improved in recent decades thanks to the increase in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and improved construction techniques, some vehicles fare a lot better than others when it comes to preventing accidents. We’ve gathered a few standouts you can find at your local used car dealer that score well in terms of safety, which should go a long way toward improving confidence and peace of mind when you hand over the keys to your new teen driver. From efficient sedans to tech-forwards SUVs, join us as we review some of the safest used cars for new drivers.
Toyota Corolla
It’s little surprise to learn that the world’s best-selling car is also one of the safest. The Toyota Corolla is a favorite among drivers and critics alike, especially when it comes to its safety resume. The humble compact has been named one of the safest cars for teen drivers by everyone from Kelley Blue Book and Consumer Reports to Cars.com and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and it’s easy to see why. Packed with a long list of standard safety equipment like Lane Departure Alert, Lane Tracing Assist, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and automatic high beams, the Corolla has had no trouble landing the coveted IIHS Top Safety Pick awards and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The car even comes with a Road Sign Assist feature that’ll scan the road for any applicable signage and automatically display them on the gauge cluster. This innovative feature can go a long way towards keeping drivers moving at a safe speed and ensuring the law is front and center in their minds. In addition to its generous assortment of standard safety features, the Corolla is also one of the most efficient and affordable options on the used market, with the compact’s 4-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) allowing it to achieve impressive fuel economy numbers. Should the worst come to worst, the Corolla’s popularity also means it’s very affordable to repair if your teen driver returns home with a dented bumper, clipped mirror, or crumpled hood.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is hot on the Corolla’s heels, especially when shopping for a pre-owned model. All of the benefits we mentioned regarding the Corolla are just as true when it comes to the Accord, which is efficient and affordable to buy, repair, and keep on the road while offering a well-rounded package of standard safety features. A perennial IIHS Top Safety Pick+ winner, the Accord gets off to a strong start with a wide selection of ADAS that range from standard features like Forward Collision Warning, a Lane Keeping Assist System, and Adaptive Cruise Control to optional add-ons like a Blind Spot Information System, and parking sensors.[a]
Those looking to save a little cash won’t miss out on much by skipping over the newer 10th-generation model in favor of the 9th-generation Accord produced between 2017 and 2022. The 9th-generation model saw Honda up the Accord’s safety resume and give the sedan a full makeover complete with a new look, longer wheelbase, and a set of turbocharged engines that improve efficiency while allowing drivers to enjoy up to 252 hp with some model years.
The most alluring upgrade would have to be the raft of modern interior tech like the wireless phone charger, heads-up display, and an onboard Wi-Fi system that ensures your teen doesn’t burn through their phone’s data allowance while they’re out on the road. The 9th-gen Accord even includes modern connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which, in addition to allowing drivers to enjoy their favorite tunes and podcasts, are also a real boon to safety thanks to their ability to provide turn-by-turn GPS navigation along with hands-free calling and texting.
Chevy Equinox
Those seeking a larger alternative to the typical sedan should consider taking a preowned Chevy Equinox for a spin. The compact crossover offers the sort of ride, height, and visibility that’s sure to up a new driver’s confidence behind the wheel, not to mention a full suite of ADAS and other safety-enhancing tech. Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, automatic high beam headlights, and Automatic Emergency Braking are all standard features on the value-packed LT trim and higher.
It’s the Equinox’s Teen Driver Technology that really elevates the Chevy SUV above the competition. This feature gives parents unprecedented control over their teen driver’s life behind the wheel, allowing them to set speed and audio volume limits and receive real-time safety alerts that’ll allow them to head off any dangerous behavior before things turn bad. Parents can also access an in-vehicle report car that outlines the distance driven, maximum speed, and how often the safety alert systems were activated, and it even includes a buckle-to-drive feature that’ll keep the vehicle in the park until everyone is belted in.
Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V boasts some of the best cargo capacity in its class, with up to 76.5 cu.ft. in more recent models. This sort of space is sure to come in handy when the compact crossover tries to transport all of the safety awards it has accrued over the years. The CR-V has long been a favorite amongst safety-minded drivers, automotive publications, and government organizations. For example, recent models from 2021 to present have received a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.[b]
The CR-V owes much of this praise to its comprehensive arsenal of Honda Sensing features like the Lane Keeping Assist System, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, and Collision Mitigation Braking System, but the crossover’s safety credentials are baked into its very design. Like all recent Honda and Acura models, the CR-V is built around the brand’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure. Designed to effectively absorb and redistribute the energy in the event of a crash, the ACE body structure prioritizes passenger safety to help Honda create some of the safest vehicles on the road. This unique structure allows Honda to ACE every safety-related test it encounters and makes the CR-V an appealing option for those looking to give their new drivers a leg up.
The crossover’s Honda Sensing package also includes a Driver Attention Monitor on newer models, which monitors steering inputs to detect any telltale signs of a drowsy or inattentive driver. Add in the CR-V’s low starting price, and it’s hard to make a case against Honda’s compact SUV as a pre-owned option.
Improved Affordability Through Safety
Picking the right used model for your new driver will not only make parents feel better about allowing their teens to set out on their own, but it can also have a noticeable effect on your insurance premiums. Adding a teen driver to your policy can cause rates to rise significantly, but opting for a vehicle with a long-standing reputation for safety can help mitigate some of the cost. There are plenty of other incentives aimed at this particularly risky segment, including discounts that can lower the premium for those who maintain a B average or better in school.
Companies like AAA even offer online courses that’ll help teen drivers brush up on their road safety, so make sure to explore all the available resources at your disposal before investing in a used vehicle. Whether you choose an affordable option like the Toyota Corolla or Honda Accord, a compact SUV like the Chevy Equinox with its purpose-built Teen Driver Technology, or Honda’s CR-V, these four models will get your new teen driver started off on the right foot.
0 comment(s) so far on Exploring the Safest Used Cars for New Drivers