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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