When you and your teen are shopping for a new car, safety should be top priority. The increase in smart technologies in vehicles means there are more ways today to help keep young drivers safe.
The 10 small and midsize cars listed below are top safety picks by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, which Nationwide is proud to be a member group of. These models earned advanced or superior ratings for front-end crash protection. Looking for a first car for your teen? Check out some of the safest cars for teenage drivers:
| Vehicle model | Safety features |
| Subaru Legacy | Subaru Legacy safety features |
| Hyundai Elantra | Hyundai Elantra safety features |
| Mazda CX-5 | Mazda CX-5 safety features |
| Subaru Impreza | Subaru Impreza safety features |
| Toyota Camry | Toyota Camry safety features |
| Kia Forte | Kia Forte safety features |
| Honda Insight | Honda Insight safety features |
| Kia K5 | Kia Optima safety features |
| Hyundai Sonata | Hyundai Sonata safety features |
| Subaru Outback | Subaru Outback safety features |
Not everyone has the budget for a new car, so be sure to look at the safety ratings for used options as well. Vehicle safety features change over time, which means a car that’s highly rated now might not have scored as well a few years ago. And remember to teach your teen common sense and good driving behaviors, like limiting the number of friends in the car and keeping the music off or at a level that won’t be distracting.
Once you find the right car for your teen, make sure to add a driver to your car insurance policy.
Related Articles:
Safety Features to Consider When Buying a Car
Ways to Save on Teen Car Insurance
