(WWJ) Teens are among the riskiest drivers with crash rates nearly four times those of older drivers, so being in a safe vehicle is essential, which is why Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety are making it easier for young drivers or their parents to find a vehicle that checks all the boxes for safety, performance and reliability.
Experts say often teenagers they find themselves driving old cars that lack modern safety features like side airbags or electronic stability control. When teenagers do get behind the wheel of a new car, it's usually one of the smallest models, which don't protect as well as larger vehicles in crashes.
"Reliability is another key consideration. A young driver's first car will probably need to last for years, and parents don't want their teen stranded because of a breakdown," the duo said in a press release.
To combat uncertainty -- and danger -- they released this list of 65 recommended used vehicles, ranging from $5,300 to $19,600, that show safety can be both affordable and practical.
"Our focus has always been safety, as reflected in our vehicle ratings, but we recognize that a lot of other factors go into families' purchasing decisions," says IIHS President David Harkey. "This partnership with Consumer Reports will help new drivers and their parents zero in on the best used vehicles overall."
Although the list is intended specifically for teen drivers, the organizations emphasize that it can be a resource for anyone looking for a safe, reliable and affordable used car.
Before buying a specific used vehicle, consumers should check for outstanding recalls and have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic. CR puts every car it purchases through more than 50 tests and evaluations and supplements that information with reliability and owner satisfaction data from its surveyed members.
SMALL CARS
Mazda 3 (2014 or newer; built after October 2013) $7,000Subaru Impreza (2014 or newer) $8,700Hyundai Elantra GT (2018 or newer) $14,000Kia Forte (2019 or newer) $14,600Kia Niro (2018) $15,400Toyota Corolla hatchback (2019 or newer) $15,800Honda Insight (2019 or newer) $17,900Subaru Crosstrek (2018 or newer) $18,700Toyota Prius Prime (2017 or newer) $18,700
MIDSIZE CARS
Subaru Legacy (2013 or newer; built after August 2012) $7,600Subaru Outback (2013 or newer; built after August 2012) $8,500Honda Accord sedan and coupe (2013 or newer) $9,200Volkswagen Jetta (2016-2018) $9,800Mazda 6 (2015 or newer) $10,500Volkswagen Passat (2016-2018) $11,000Toyota Prius v (2015-17) $12,600Lincoln MKZ (2016 or newer) $13,300Volvo S60 (2017-2018) $15,300Nissan Altima (2019 or newer) $17,000Audi A3 (2017, 2020) $18,300BMW 3-series sedan (2017 or newer; built after November 2016) $18,600
LARGE CAR
Hyundai Genesis (2016) $18,000
MIDSIZE SUVS
GMC Terrain (2014, 2016 or newer) $9,400Kia Sorento (2016 or newer) $13,400Nissan Murano (2015 or newer) $13,800Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (2017-2018) $15,800Hyundai Santa Fe (2017 or newer; built after March 2016) $17,800Mazda CX-9 (2017 or newer; built after November 2016) $18,400Lincoln MKX (2017-2018) $19,600
MINIVANS
Toyota Sienna (2015 or newer) $11,900Honda Odyssey (2015-2016) $12,400Kia Sedona (2016-17) $12,600 Good ChoicesSMALL CARSMazda 3 (2011-13) $5,300Honda Civic sedan (2012-2015) $5,600Toyota Corolla sedan (2012 or newer) $6,800Toyota Prius (2011 or newer) $6,800
MIDSIZE CARS
Subaru Legacy (2011-12) $5,700Lincoln MKZ (2011-12) $6,000Subaru Outback (2011-12) $6,600Toyota Camry (2012 or newer) $7,500Honda Accord sedan (2012) $7,900Hyundai Sonata (2015-16) $10,100
LARGE CARS
Ford Taurus (2011-15) $5,400Hyundai Azera (2012-14) $7,200Buick Regal (2015-16) $8,900SMALL SUVS Hyundai Tucson (2011-2015) $5,400Ford Escape (2015, 2018-2019) $9,300Kia Sportage (2015, 2018) $10,200Toyota RAV4 (2013-14) $10,900
MIDSIZE SUVS
Toyota Venza (2009-15) $7,000Toyota Highlander (2008-2019) $7,800Ford Edge (2014-15) $10,000Toyota Sienna (2011-2014) $7,100
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