Best 2020 Car Models for Teen Drivers

27 Jan 2021

Purchasing any vehicle for your teen driver can be stressful. The vehicle not only needs to be affordable to run and insure, it also needs to be safe.

Teen drivers are developing their driving skills on the road, which means it’s essential vehicles have driving aids and safety features. You combine teenage drivers’ inexperience with destructive driving behaviors and it makes them more likely to be involved in an accident. In fact, according to the CDC, the leading cause of American teen death are car accidents with six teens between the ages of 16 and 19 dying each day from a vehicle injury.

The leading culprit in crashes involving teen drivers is distracted driving. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted a study showing in 58% of crashes that involved a teen driver, distracted driving played a role. And, teenagers aren’t just distracted either. It was found by the AAA that nearly 50% of teenagers admit to speeding on residential streets in the previous month and 40% admit to speeding on highways. Distraction and speed can turn out to be a fatal combination.

Because of these statistics, strong crash test scores and crash avoidance technology are high priorities for parents of teen drivers.

Parents in the market for a reliable and safe 2020 model for their teenage driver can refer to this newest list compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR).

All vehicles listed on this list:

Earn acceptable or good ratings in driver-side small overlap front test
Earn good IIHS ratings in moderate overlap side, front and roof strength tests
Earn good ratings in head restraint tests
Earn four or five stars overall or four or five stars in the side and front tests by the NHTSA under the old rating system
Come with a curb weight over 2,750 lbs
Come with standard electronic stability control

They all have been listed by Consumer Reports as having above-average reliability scores for most of the model years listed as well as a three out of five or higher CR emergency handling score. Plus they have dry braking distances (the ability to go from 60 mph to 0) of 145 feet or less.

Any vehicle with significantly higher than average frequency of claims under personal injury protection or medical payment coverage are excluded from this list.

Again, parents in the market for a reliable and safe 2020 model for their teenage driver can refer to this newest list compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR). And, once your teen has his or her new car, consider getting a GPS teen tracking device for their safety — and your peace of mind!

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About George Karonis

George Karonis is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of LiveViewGPS Inc., a company he established in 2008 with the vision of making real-time GPS tracking more reliable, affordable, and accessible for businesses of all sizes. Over the past two decades, he has built a reputation as an innovator in GPS tracking, fleet management, asset monitoring, and Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PTToC) communications. Under George's leadership, LiveViewGPS has grown into a nationally recognized provider of GPS tracking solutions, serving businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, law enforcement organizations, and public works departments throughout the United States. The company's technology helps organizations improve operational efficiency, protect valuable assets, increase driver safety, and reduce operating costs through real-time location intelligence. Before founding LiveViewGPS, George developed a background in security, surveillance, and emerging location technologies. His passion for innovation and practical problem solving has driven the development of products that combine dependable hardware with easy-to-use cloud software, giving customers actionable information when it matters most. In 2018, George expanded into nationwide Push-to-Talk over Cellular communications by launching PeakPTT, providing businesses with rugged, instant communication solutions that operate over LTE and Wi-Fi networks. His focus has remained the same throughout his career: delivering dependable technology backed by exceptional customer service and long-term customer relationships. George regularly writes about GPS tracking, fleet management, asset protection, business technology, and communication systems. Through this blog, he shares industry insights, practical advice, and emerging trends to help organizations make informed decisions about tracking technology and connected operations.