Getting a learner’s permit or a driver’s license for the first time is an exciting moment when you’re a teen. It’s another big step closer to independence.
Parents love having another licensed driver in the home because it makes the schedule easier to manage. You have another person who can grab groceries, run to soccer practice, or handle other chores across Athens, GA.
What parents don’t always love is the cost of insuring a newly licensed driver. Investing in one of the best cars for teenage drivers makes sense. You’ll have the peace of mind in knowing that they’re safe while on the road and potentially getting a small break in your associated costs.
Best Cars for Teenage Drivers in Athens, GA
The No. 1 takeaway that comes from any list of vehicles for teens to drive should be safety.
That’s an essential feature because teens drive less than all other age demographics except seniors, yet the rate of crashes, injuries, and fatalities is above average.
You’ll want to consider these cars for your teen if you see them for sale in Athens, GA.
1. Mazda CX-5
If you choose the Touring package for this vehicle, it’ll come with several advanced driver-assist and safety features. It uses auto-leveling LED headlights, offers dual-zone climate controls with automatic adjustments, and has auto high beams.
It scores well in all crash tests, provides a reliable experience for those behind the wheel, and has comfort features like adaptive cruise control.
Most importantly, this car provides lane-keeping assistance and lane-departure warnings. Those two issues tend to be what causes teens to feel nervous when getting behind the wheel.
2. Toyota Corolla
This sedan comes packed with plenty of standard safety equipment to reduce the risk factors your teen faces while on the road. The best features come at the LE trim level or higher with Toyota’s convenience package. Not only will you have a car that comes with a five-star rating from the NHTSA, but it also provides excellent gas mileage and features that make driving easier.
You’ll have traffic-sign recognition, lane-departure warnings, hill-start assist, and adaptive cruise control – and that’s just to start! If you expect your teen to do a lot of driving around Athens, you’ll want to consider this car.
3. Toyota Rav4
This crossover-style vehicle is often at or near the top of the safety picks provided by the IIHS. It offers a broad range of advanced safety features to help your teen while driving, especially if you invest in the SE model or above.
That option provides fog lights, lane-departure warnings, automatic high beams and climate control, and much more.
4. Subaru Crosstrek
If you’re investing in a vehicle for your teen, this Subaru in general provides above-average durability without compromising on the safety features. Over 95% of Subaru cars are still on the road after ten years, which means your kid will have reliable transportation throughout their college years.
Look for a Crosstrek with the Premium trim to maximize the safety features included with the vehicle. It comes with all-wheel drive (AWD) standard while still getting 33 highway mpg. With this model, you’ll also get the lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist.
5. Toyota Prius
This purpose-built hybrid is an excellent choice for a first-time driver. Models in 2019 or later even come with an AWD version for those errands to run around Athens. Even if the weather conditions change, this car keeps a low center of gravity for a stable driving experience.
You’ll want an LE or higher model for your teen. With that investment, drivers have access to parking sensors, cruise and climate control, lane assist, and a fuel economy that gets close to 60 mpg.
6. Kia Sportage
This compact SUV scores well each model year in its crash tests. It has an excellent reputation for reliability, especially when investing in the Technology Package with the EX trim. You’ll get all the safety features you want at that level and some excellent features, such as a windshield wiper de-icer.
You and your teen will appreciate the navigation system included with the Kia Sportage. It’s also one of the most comfortable vehicles to make this list.
When your teen is ready to drive, choosing one of these cars ensures that you have a reasonable vehicle to use while providing plenty of safety for unexpected circumstances. That way, they can drive to school or run errands all around Athens, GA, without you needing to worry as much.
Before getting a car. You’ll need to enroll your teen in an Athens GA Driving School. Contact Athens Driving Prep today. Our drivers ed program is geared toward each new driver’s specific needs.