Skip to content Accessibility info

Best Insurance Services Blog

All You Ever Wanted to Know About Insurance

Best Cars for Teenagers in 2016

Whether you are dreading your teen getting behind the wheel or ecstatic that your carpooling and chauffeuring days are over, choosing a car for your teen driver is an important process.

Since teens lack driving experience and tend toward impulsiveness, it’s important to choose a car that will protect your teenager and the car in the event of an accident. Some factors to consider when choosing a car for your teenager include:

  • Fuel economy
  • Safety
  • Reliability
  • Affordability (factoring in repairs for a used car)

Here are six cars that are great options for a teen driver.

1.     Toyota Corolla

The newest Corolla is the 9th generation of Corollas – a true testament to the reliability and gold standard that this model has set. The comfortable and roomy interior will give your teen plenty of room to haul their stuff around, and the gas mileage will make you smile at an impressive 30/38 mpg (city/highway). The 1.8 horsepower from a 1.8 liter engine also hasn’t changed over the years, so opting for an older model to save some money won’t deliver a sub-par automobile. It’s hard to go wrong with a Corolla for your teen, or even yourself.

2.     Subaru Forester

The Forester has top marks for occupant safety from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), making it a great option for the inexperienced teen driver. Not to mention Subaru in general has a reputation for reliability and hardiness. The SUV-style forester is also roomy and well known for maneuvering during rainy or snowy conditions.

3.     Honda Civic

Although the newly designed models of the Civic are head-turning, the 2006-2011 models are a more affordable option with all of the same features as the newer models, including the engine. Opting for a slightly older model won’t have you banging your head as hard if your teenager incurs any damages. But lucky for you, Hondas are also reasonable to repair. With gas mileage between 26-36mpg (city/highway) you also won’t be forking out a fortune for gas, either.  

4.     Dodge Dart GT

If you’re looking to get your teen one of the more stylish options, the Dodge Dart is a great way to go. The Dodge Dart is a newer arrival on the car scene but has made quite an entrance. Your teen will love the sporty and hip look, not to mention the assortment of bright colors it comes in. You’ll love the fuel-efficiency and compact design that will help your teen get around easier and without breaking the bank.

5.     Hyundai Accent

The newer, redesigned Hyundai Accents have a beautiful, sleek exterior with an impressive 30mpg combined fuel efficiency. It also has a 6-speed automatic transmission and a subcompact design, making the commute from home to school and compact parking smooth and worry-free. The base price for a new Hyundai Accent is also one of the more affordable options for a safe, compact sedan, making this an even more appealing option for your teen.

6.     Chrysler 200

Although the new Chrysler 200 looks and feels like a luxury vehicle more suited for executives than their teenagers, the Chrysler 200 is very affordable and has top safety ratings. In fact, the 2015 model scored the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating and a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Institute.  You can choose from four different trim levels and even snag yourself an all-wheel drive option. The gas mileage is what you’d expect from a mid-sized sedan, about 23/36mpg (city/highway), but for a teen commuting from home to school, the safety features make up for any lack of fuel efficiency you see in a hybrid.

Once you’ve found the perfect car for your teen and circumstances, perhaps the most important next step is insuring the vehicle. For information on pricing and options for a car insurance policy in Moreno Valley, CA, visit Best Insurance Services.