Heavier vehicles are safest for teenage drivers, says IIHS

Heavier vehicles are safest for teenage drivers, says IIHS

In coming up with its list of the best used vehicles for teenage drivers, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) focused on three criteria: High horsepower and young drivers donêt mix; bigger, heavier vehicles are safer, and electronic stability control is a must for teens.

As a result, the list has no minicars or small cars. Small SUVs are fine. And electronic stability control, which cuts single-vehicle fatal crash risk in half, has been a required feature on new vehicles since 2012.

IIHS also recommends that teenagers and parents should check to see if the vehicle is under recall. Dealers could make parents happy by addressing that issue proactively, says IIHS.

The IIHS list has –49 best choices,” starting under $20,000, and –82 good choices,” starting under $10,000.