Buying the first car for your kid can make a big difference in your kid’s life, making possible some of the most exciting experiences of adolescence. It used to be that passing down family’s old clunkers to their kids was the traditional wisdom for many parents in the past. But today, there are plenty of affordable new vehicles available, perfectly ideal for teenagers that come with the latest safety options, which is crucial for first-time car buyers.
However, choosing the right first vehicle for your kid is important that blend a perfect balance between safety, affordability, and fun. For an inexperienced and freshly minted young driver, the vehicle should have strong crash tests rating, working air bags, antilock braking system, electronic stability control, fuel economy, etc.Your teenager’s car should also earn the highest rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. SUVs are not recommended for first time drivers because of their high center of gravity and their greater potential for roof-strength accidents.
Therefore, compacts or mid-size vehicles with safely and affordability are considered most ideal to own for your inexperienced kid. Six air bags, door locks, power windows, outboard mirrors are standard elements, commonly infused in teenagers cars. Here are the 10 best cars for teenagers that really make the grade.
2015 Volkswagen Golf Mk7
2015 Volkswagen Golf Mk7
The seventh generation Volkswagen Golf is a compact car that comes with three body styles: 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, 5-door station wagon. The Golf Mk7 is one of the most affordable compact vehicles that also provide good safety and practicality options, especially suited for first-time drivers. When it comes to fuel efficiency, the petrol powerstrain of.8 L I4, 170 HP 4-cylinder turbo engine offers 37 mpg highway, while you can save even more by getting on the TDI with 4-cylinder turbo diesel 2.0 L, 150 HP, providing 45 mpg highway that has proven to be an ideal vehicle for teenagers.
2015 Mazda Mazda2
2015 Mazda Mazda2
The Mazda Mazda2, also known as Mazda Demio, is a supermini car that has been in production since 1996, manufactured by the Japanese automaker. In keeping a sporty design concept, the fourth generation 2014 Mazda Mazda2 is a subcompact hatchback that brings improved handling and light curbs weight. You may choose from a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel engine – the SkyActiv-D with 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions, providing 35-mpg highway. Being affordable, fuel efficient, and small, it serves as a prototype for modern teen transportation.
2015 Honda Fit
2015 Honda Fit
Manufactured and marketed worldwide by Honda, the Honda Jazz is a subcompact front-wheel drive four-door car. It has been in production since 2001, spanning over its third generation and reached over 5 million to date. Despite its small size, this subcompact hatchback features plenty of storage space where any teenager’s belongings can be squeezed and its Magic Seat allows rearrangement of passenger space that can further unease more space for more possessions. The 2015 Honda Fit’s 1.5 L, 130 HP four-cylinder engine offers 32 combined mpg and lowers fuel bill, making it one of the best teenagers’ cars.
2015 Subaru Impreza
2015 Subaru Impreza
Manufactured by the Japanese automaker – Subaru, the The Subaru Impreza is a compact automobile that has been in production since 1992. The latest 2015 Subaru Impreza all-wheel drive has been revamped with class-leading levels of grip for rainy seasons or snowy roads in the winter. The fourth generation line of this automobile brings both hatchback and sedan editions, powered by 2.0 L H4 four-cylinder engine that is available in both petrol and diesel engines, delivering 148 HP and 34 mpg on the highway. With extra security of all-wheel drive, fuel efficiency, the 2015 Subaru Impreza is one of the best and safest teenagers’ vehicles.
2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata
2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Manufactured by Mazda in Hiroshima, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive lightweight two-seater roadster that has been in production since 1989. With a 2.0-liter 167 HP four-cylinder engine, this small roadster provides 28 mpg on the highway. The latest MX-5 Miata is one of the most reliable light weight roadster with enhanced safety options, excellent handling, and minimal mechanical complexity, making it one the best and affordable roadsters for teenagers.
2015 Honda Civic
2015 Honda Civic
Introduced by Honda in 1972, the Honda Civic is originally a subcompact car (1972-2000), and currently a compact car (2001-present), and now running in tenth generation. With a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, the 2015 Honda Civic produces 143 HP and 129 lb-ft of torque that earns 36 mpg on the highway with a five-speed manual transmission, and 39 mpg with a continuously variable transmission. When it comes to reliability, good crash test scores, affordability, decent looks, the 2015 version is no exception as a perfect teenager car.
2015 Ford Focus
2015 Ford Focus Hatchback
Manufactured by the Ford Motor Company, the Ford Focus is a compact car that has been in production since 1998. With a 2.0 L, 4-cylinder engine, the latest 2015 Ford Focus delivers 160 HP and 140 lb-ft torque that earns fuel mileage of 38 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg in stop-and-go conditions. Revamped for 2015 model, this stylish automobile comes with a mild interior and exterior refresh, better fuel efficiency in both hatchback and sedan and come with excellent handling, and leading features including the Ford SYNC vehicle interface. All these features make this compact car one of the most stand-out vehicles for teenagers.
2015 Volkswagen Beetle
The 2015 Volkswagen Beetle is a compact car that has been in production since 2011. Keeping alive the retro look of the original Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle, the latest Beetle features modernized aspects with more aggressive appearance. Built around the similar platform as the Volkswagen Golf, there are two affordable options a teenager may choose from either 1.8 L four-cylinder, 170 HP, 33 mpg or a 2.0 L, turbocharged four-cylinder, 210 HP, 31 mpg. With modern style, enhanced performance, fuel efficiency, the 2015 Volkswagen Beetle has been one of the top choices for teenagers.
2015 Chevrolet Sonic
The 2015 Chevrolet Sonic is subcompact car that is available either in hatchback or sedan body styles. This good-looking small car can be an inexpensive option for new vehicle ownership especially for teenagers where they can choose from two affordable powerstrains either a 1.8 L four-cylinder engine, 138 HP or a 1.4 L four-cylinder turbocharged engine, boosting fuel economy, torque, and highway mileage of 40 mpg. Some of the notable available features are 10 standard airbags, leather upholstery, the OnStar telematics system, Bluetooth connectivity, etc.
2015 Dodge Dart
2015 Dodge Dart
The 2015 Dodge Dart is a compact sedan available in special edition models: Blacktop and Rallye. The Dart’s base model is powered by a 2.0 L four-cylinder engine, 160 HP and 36 mpg fuel mileage. The athletic and aggressive styling with plenty of standard features that come attractive pricing pulls performance-inspired younger buyers.