How to Choose the Best Car for Your Teen

Buying your teen their first car is not an adolescent milestone many parents look forward to.

While a teenager may look at a new car as a ticket to freedom — and parents may even enjoy the benefits of having an additional driver in the house — parents also see all the risks. In 2019, almost 2,400 teenagers were killed in automobile accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Teenager crashes were associated with around $4.8 billion in medical and work loss costs. New drivers are among the most dangerous on the road. Then, there are the costs. Not only are cars expensive, but the costs associated with driving — including insurance premiums, maintenance, and gas — can quickly add up.

Before you cave to the pressure of your teenager who wants to take their newly minted driver’s license straight to the dealership, here are a few things to consider when choosing the best car for your teen.

Trusted Resources

For most parents, safety is the most important feature when considering a car for their child. Each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) release studies that list the safest vehicles on the market. These can be reliable guides for narrowing down makes and models before stepping into a dealership.

Unfortunately, most of us will also need to evaluate other considerations — such as price. Simply picking a vehicle from the NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings may not always be a possibility. Still, these resources are a good starting point, so you know what to look for and what questions to ask.

Collision-Ready Vehicles

While there is no perfectly safe car, some vehicles on the market have engineering and design elements that put safety first. When shopping for the best car for your teen, look for vehicles that can withstand high-speed impacts. Heavy vehicles tend to perform best in this category with a few exceptions:

• Avoid: SUVs and pickup trucks — while heavy, they also have a high center of gravity, which can make them prone to rolls during collisions.
• Look for: Mid- to full-size sedans, which tend to have the most safety friendly designs.

Passive and Active Safety Features to Consider

There are, in general, two kinds of automobile safety features: active and passive.

Passive safety features include essential elements that any vehicle should have; however, these may vary in quality. These include:

• Air bags.
• Seat belts.
• Vehicle crush zones.

Active safety features include add-ons that are more often featured in newer vehicles, especially if regulations have changed requiring new models to include them. These include:

• Anti-lock brakes — these are featured in most vehicles now.
• Electronic stability control — this has been required since 2012.
• Backup cameras — these have been required on all new models since 2018.
• Forward collision warning and automatic breaking systems — these more advanced technologies can help compensate for distracted drivers.

While every vehicle should have adequate safety features, new regulations on recent models may bolster the argument for opting for a newer car for your teen. However, again, this depends on your price range and other risk factors. One low-tech but effective safety consideration? Modeling good driving. If your teen sees you driving safely, they are more likely to drive more cautiously.

New or Used?

Buying a new car may cost more than going with a used model — although recently, this has not always been the case. But going new has some benefits.

Pros of buying new:

• They come packed with the latest safety technology.
• They are arguably more reliable than used models; it’s less likely that they will break down or strand your child in a dangerous area.
• They often come with warranties or cash rebates to cut down on other costs, such as ongoing maintenance.

Despite these benefits, the vast majority of parents — 83%, according to a study by the IIHS — purchase used vehicles for their teenagers.

Tips for buying used:

• It is often more cost effective — but only if you take the time to research the reliability of the models you are considering.
• Before you buy, know the features the car includes.
• Find a car in good condition.
• Make sure you have a certified mechanic look at the car before you purchase it; view any maintenance records that are available.
• Check for any recalls on the car via the NHTSA’s website.
• Be aware of red flags such as prior water damage or a driving history that averaged more than 12,000 miles per year.

Buying or Leasing

If the cost of financing a new vehicle is an obstacle to new car ownership, you may consider leasing a new model. Leasing can lower your monthly car payments, and in three years, when the lease is up, your child will likely be more ready to take on the full responsibility of car ownership on their own.

Personal Responsibility

The cost of the car is not the only new expense that comes with purchasing an automobile. Make sure your teen understands both the cost of — and who is responsible for covering — additional expenses such as insurance, maintenance, and gas. Insurance premiums for teenagers are an important consideration too. Statistics show that teenagers are responsible for a large number of traffic accidents each year.

Often, between school, sports, and other activities, teenagers can’t earn the money to cover many of these costs on their own. But awareness of these expenses can incentivize safe driving. Make sure your teen understands how expensive speeding tickets can be and how many hours they would have to work to pay it off. You may also consider making paying for gas or maintenance conditional on your teen proving that they are driving safely. After all, the goal isn’t just choosing the safest car for your teen — it’s also raising safe drivers.

Contact your Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent to discuss your insurance options and any potential discounts, such as a good student discount, for your new teen driver.

Coverage and discounts are subject to qualifications and policy terms and may vary by situation.