Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Savannah Hyundai Announces Hyundai Tops Lists for Best Cars for Teen Drivers


When purchasing a new or used vehicle for a teen driver, parents often have two major concerns: cost and safety. According to a recent phone survey conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 83 percent of parents that bought vehicles for their teens said they bought a used vehicle. "Buying used can help parents stay on budget, but some used cars are safer than others," says Mark Medinger, owner of Savannah Hyundai.

Recently, the IIHS, Bankrate, and Consumer Reports released articles on which vehicles are best for teen drivers. Hyundai appeared on each list. "Hyundai has been a leader in safety features and affordability for many years," says Medinger. The Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Sonata, and Hyundai Elantra were rated as top vehicles.

The IIHS developed four recommendations when looking for a teen vehicle.

-Stay away from high horsepower. This may seem like a no brainer. The higher the horsepower of a vehicle, the more power it has. Teen drivers might want to push the limits when driving. So less horsepower might keep them safe.

-Bigger, heavier vehicles protect better. The more weight of a vehicle the safer it can be during a crash. A larger vehicle can help with visibility issues as well. Mid-size cars and small SUVs are recommended by the IIHS.

-ESC is a must. Electronic Stability Control is safety feature that is a must for a teen driver. ESC helps maintain control on curves and slippery roads. It reduces risk, but doesn't come on older vehicles. Late model used cars are a better choice.

Vehicles should have the best safety ratings. Safety ratings can be just as important as price when it comes to teen drivers. Less experienced drivers needs all the protection they can get. The IIHS recommends looking at the overlap front test, side crash test, and 4 or 5 stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The IIHS rated the 2010 Hyundai Tucson as one of the top choices for a small SUV. Safety features of the Hyundai Tucson include: Side airbags, front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags; Rollover sensor, designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover; Electronic stability control, includes roll stability control; and Antilock brakes.
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Consumer Reports recommends the Hyundai Elantra 2008 or later. The Hyundai Elantra SE comes with Electronic Stability Control. It also fared better than average in side crash tests and has great fuel economy.

Bankrate really likes the 2013 Hyundai Sonata as their choice in their best cars for teenagers. The 2013 Hyundai Sonata is rated a "large" car by the EPA which meets the IIHS recommendations as well. It features a six-speaker audio system with iPod interface.

"Most Hyundai vehicles meet the IIHS recommendations for teen vehicles," explains Mark Medinger, "And we maintain a great selection of late model used cars on our lot." Other features to consider for the teen driver are audio systems and connectivity. Late model Hyundai's feature blue tooth connectivity which allows for hands free phone calls. Six speaker audio systems and navigation systems are also available.

"Safety is just as important as price when looking for a car for your teenager," says Mark Medinger. Parents might have to spend a little extra, but more safety features will provide peace of mind when their teenager is on the road. For more information on Savannah Hyundai's inventory, visit their website at http://www.savannahhyundai.com or stop by their dealership located at 7011 Abercorn St Savannah GA 31406. Savannah Hyundai serves the Savannah area including Statesboro, Hilton Head, Rincon, Ft. Stewart, and Bluffton.


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