Safest Cars for New Drivers

One of the most popular cars among teens and parents alike, the Honda Civic won the Car of the Year award from Motor Trend Magazine and was a Consumer Reports Top Pick based on safety. Honda cars, especially the newest models which have electronic stability control (ESC), are notoriously safe but are small, which may give some parents pause.

Toyota, which has been topping most lists for bestselling and safest standard cars for many years, is another good option as their cars are incredibly reliable and safe for a first-time teenage driver. The Corolla and Camry share many of the same options and safety features as a Honda Civic and are worthy of purchasing both new and used. If the Corolla is too small, the Camry is a perfect option, as it's bigger and just as reliable.

Fun and sporty, the Ford Focus received an excellent crash test rating from the IIHS, making it another good option for teenagers. While it does have front and side airbags for the driver and passengers, the side impact ratings weren't quite as high as the top-rated safety vehicles. The Focus doesn't have the same longevity as a Toyota or Honda model but is still reliable and safe.

Big, safe and attractive, the Acura TL might be the perfect car for a teenager, as long as you can afford it. The TL has bulk and weight to it, so it will hold up during a serious collision. This is a Japanese made vehicle, known for reliability and longevity. With ESC, the TL is easy to drive and control for a novice driver, which adds to its overall safety.

Volkswagen is a teen and parent favorite, as they are attractive automobiles yet consistently safe according to the IIHS and the federal government's NHTSA. German-designed, Volkswagens have heavy frames which can survive collisions and are loaded with airbags in the front, sides and back. The small bucket seats in both the Jetta and Passat models keep passengers from bouncing around during a collision, which is how many serious injuries occur during an accident.