More security for less money

Teenage drivers have accident rates nearly four times higher than those of drivers 20 and older, so it's critical to ensure they drive safe vehicles. Reliability and affordability are also important.

To help guide families, the latest edition of an annual list of recommended new and used vehicles in a range of budgets that can help teens prevent an accident and keep them well protected if they do, was released Wednesday by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). ) and Consumer Reports (CR).

“Vehicles continue to become safer and, for the first time since the disruptions caused by the pandemic, prices in the new and used market have stabilized,” said Jennifer Stockburger, director of operations for the vehicle center. CR automobile tests, in a press release. “These trends have allowed us to direct families to even better options this year. »

This year's updated list of recommended used vehicles includes 58 models, divided into two groups – Best Picks and Good Picks – ranging in price from $5,800 to $19,900.

Higher tier vehicles also come standard with automatic emergency braking (AEB), particularly important for young and inexperienced people, who are more prone to errors.

“It’s exciting to see crash prevention technologies like automatic emergency braking filtering through the fleet and into affordable used models, many of which cost less than $15,000,” said researcher Rebecca Weast to the Insurance Institute, in a press release. “With a little knowledge and patience, families can find the right vehicle for their new driver without spending their life savings. »

The 22 new models recommended for 2024 offer industry-leading protection and crash prevention, researchers say.

For a teen driving for the first time, both lists only recommend vehicles that are not too small, too large, or too fast.

Sports cars and other cars with excessive horsepower are not included, for example, because they can make speeding too easy and encourage young drivers to take risks. Mini cars and other small, lightweight vehicles, which may not provide sufficient protection in a collision with other vehicles, are also not listed, as are large SUVs and pickup trucks, because they can be difficult to handle and take longer to stop, and pose more risks. risk to pedestrians, cyclists and people in smaller vehicles.

Requirements for new and used vehicles diverge, but vehicles recommended in both groups scored well in Insurance Institute safety tests and scored well in CR tests for braking, emergency driving and reliability.

The new cars also scored well in headlights and preventing frontal collisions with pedestrians.

Recommended vehicles this year include a fully electric model, the Hyundai Ioniq 6.

Electric vehicles are basically as safe as gasoline vehicles, but concerns remain about their rapid acceleration, the researchers noted. Unlike gasoline engines, electric motors give drivers immediate access to the full power of the vehicle. It is therefore necessary to exercise greater caution when entrusting these vehicles to teenagers.

For more details on the analyzes and the complete list of recommended new and used vehicles, click here and here.