by Andy Lobsenz

Buying a vehicle is a very challenging task.  This particularly true when trying to buy a vehicle for a teenager.  I am a consultant and I help people with both new and used vehicle purchases.  I frequently buy vehicles for teenagers.

Safety is one of the most important requirement in purchasing a vehicle, especially for a teenager.  There are 2 aspects to crash safety: accident avoidance and protection during an accident.

The first step is to make sure a vehicle will protect the occupants during an accident.  The best way to judge the crash safety of a vehicle is to look at crash tests.  The website I recommend is the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) crash safety ratings: http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings.

Only buy vehicles that get high ratings in the IIHS tests.  USE IIHS to can compare different model years of the same vehicle.  Look at the safety features and the crash test videos (in particular the small overlap crash test).

In 2012 the IIHS added the small overlap front end crash.  This test crashes 25% of the front of a vehicle into a barrier at 40 MPH.  Many new vehicles do not do well in this crash test.  Almost all vehicles that were designed prior to 2012 will not do well on this test (many 2015 models are still designed prior to 2012).  A vehicle must get a Good or Acceptable rating on the small overlap crash test and a Good rating on all other tests to get the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus crash safety rating.  There are many vehicles that have not been tested in the small overlap crash test.  If a vehicle has not been redesigned since the 2013 model year, most likely it will not do well on this test.  A redesigned vehicle means a vehicle which has a substantial design change, not the typical model year change. Do not assume that all 2013 and later redesigns will do well on the small overlap crash test; many have not.

IIHS recently published an article on improving vehicle safety: http://www.iihs.org/iihs/sr/statusreport/article/50/1/1.  

Note this article just touches on 2012 and does not include the small overlap crash test.  The introduction of the small overlap crash test in 2012 and the new 2014 IIHS top safety pick pus rating have resulted in a step function improvement in newer vehicle designs.  The top safety pick plus rating has resulted in an increase in the number of vehicles with forward collision warning systems (see below for details).

Another factor in crash safety is the vehicle weight.  When a heavier vehicle is an accident with a lighter vehicle with a comparable crash safety rating, the occupants of the heavier vehicle will almost always be better off.  This does not mean that you should buy a “tank” that handles terribly.  But, it does mean that you should not buy a very small vehicle.  I generally recommend a midsize vehicle as the best overall compromise, assuming that it meets your other vehicle requirements.

The next thing to look at is safety features.  Safety features are very important for accident protection and avoidance.  I will divide the safety features into 2 groups:

  • Safety features that should be in every vehicle purchased.  These features are the most common safety features and I would not buy a vehicle without them:
    • Electronic stability control (ESC) is rated as the most important vehicle safety feature since seatbelts.   ESC helps the driver maintain or regain control of a vehicle.  I have driven the same vehicle on a wet curvy road with and without stability control; the difference is very dramatic.  ESC dramatically reduces the likelihood of a rollover collision.  ESC is standard on all 2012 vehicles sold in the US and is on many older vehicles.  All vehicles with ESC have antilock brakes as well.  Stability control initially started appearing on some vehicles around the 2000 model year.  Most 2011 models have ESC as standard or optional equipment.  Do not purchase a vehicle without ESC, it is the most important feature in this list.
    • Dual front airbags.  This is the most common type of airbags.  Newer versions have different inflation rates based on the seat position, the occupant’s weight and the severity of the collision.
    • Side airbags protects your body in the event of a side impact collision.  Side airbags commonly are installed to protect front seat occupants and are becoming more common for sear seat occupants.
    • Side Curtain airbags cover the side glass on vehicles during a side impact collision.  It protects occupant’s heads and protects them from shattered side windows.
    • High tech safety features that are getting more common on newer vehicles:
    • Forward collision warning system warns the driver when the vehicle is approaching the vehicle in front of them too quickly.  This feature is required for the IIHS+ top safety rating in 2014.  This is one of the most important newer safety features.
    • Forward collision warning system with automatic braking is an enhanced version of the forward collision warning which applies the vehicle brakes to help avoid a front end collision.
    • Blind spot monitoring warns the driver when a vehicle is in the driver’s blind spot.
    • Lane Keep Assist monitors vehicles and warns the driver when they are drifting out of their lane and in many cases steer the vehicle back into their lane.  In other cases, vehicles vibrate the steering wheel or seat to warn the driver of the drifting.
    • Rear cross traffic alert warns the driver when backing up of a vehicle that is approaching form the side.
    • Knee airbags protect front seat occupant’s knees during a collision.
    • Seat belt pretensioners tighten seat belts on impact to reduce injuries.
    • Rearview camera
    • Automatic High Beams high beam headlights turn on and off based on approaching traffic, speed and other conditions.

Vehicles for Teen Drivers

I frequently get asked what vehicles I recommend purchasing for teen drivers.  I generally recommend midsize sedans for teens.  Big SUVs don’t handle very well and are more difficult for teens to manage.  Small vehicles do not do was well in accidents because they are too light.

Most parents want inexpensive vehicles for their teenagers.  Unfortunately, most vehicles that cost under $8000 are generally not safe and reliable enough for teenagers.  $8000-$12000 generally can purchase a safe vehicle for teenagers.  For $17,000- $18,000 parents can purchase a vehicle with many of the latest safety features.  I am also including one vehicle that is out of the price range for teens, but is one of the safest vehicles on the market today.

The vehicles below are listed beginning with safest (and, unfortunately most expensive).   This is not a complete list of safe vehicles (this list deals with midsize sedans only), but they are the vehicles I believe are safest for a teen driver at a given price point:

  • 2015 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 V6 with Tech Package – I put it on the list because it performed better in the IIHS crash tests than virtually every other vehicle.  It had a stellar rating in the small overlap crash test.  The Genesis will automatically brake to a complete stop from speeds up to 50 MPH.  It includes every safety feature on both lists.  It is priced well below comparably equipped vehicles.  But, at $43,000 new (discounted price, not MSRP), it is out of reach for teen drivers.  Do not buy the 2014 model, it is completely different.  Make sure you buy the tech package or higher level trim to get the safety features.  5 year/60,000 mile warranty. To understand a little more about these safety features, watch the Hyundai empty car (driverless) convoy: http://brand.hyundai.com/en/challenge/for-technology/convoy-film.do
  • 2013 and newer Honda Accord. The Accord has received top safety ratings in all crash tests, including the small overlap crash test. The cost is $17,000 and up for the LX model.  The EX model adds a right side blind spot camera.  The EX-L model adds forward collision warning and lane keep assist. 3 year/36,000 mile warranty.
  • 2011 and Newer Hyundai Sonata/Kia Optima –$11,000 and up. Buy only a September 2010 and later build date.  2011 models built before September 2010 are not as safe.  5 year/50,000 mile warranty.
  • 2008- 2012 Honda Accord. $10,000 and up. Very good crash test results, not tested in the small overlap crash test. 3 year/36,000 mile warranty.
  • 2006-2010 Hyundai Sonata/Kia Optima $5,000 and up.  Note that the vehicles at the low end of this price range are probably too high mileage to be a reliable vehicle.  I generally find that you must spend $8000 or more in order to get a vehicle with reasonable mileage and condition. 5 year/60,000 warranty.

Vehicle safety has improved dramatically in recent years.  Your teen can drive a very safe vehicle at a reasonable price if you make your vehicle selection very carefully.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at Andy@AncoAuto.com.