U.S. News recently published an article recommending new and used vehicles for teens.

They are suggesting parents look for:

• Driver Assistance Features
• Strong predicted reliability ratings
• Excellent crash scores

The 2022 vehicles they recommend are:

• Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
• Hyundai Kona
• Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
• Hyundai Tucson
• Subaru Forester
• Subaru Ascent
• Nissan Maxima

They recommend avoiding the following:

• Really small cars – crumple zones
• Trucks and large SUVs – require more skill and attention to drive
• High seating capacity – each additional passenger increases the odds of a teen crashing
• Too much horsepower – too much of a temptation to drive beyond their skill level

The evaluation criteria were overall quality, good safety ratings, strong reliability, low long-term ownership costs, and accident avoidance technologies.

In the article, they favor vehicles loaded with safety features. In some circles, the jury is still out on how effective those features are with drivers in general, due primarily to how drivers learn how to use the technology and how they use it. A recent study published by the AAA Foundation found that drivers “learn as they go” vs. taking the time to familiarize themselves and learn how to properly use the technology.

DrivingMBA recommends turning all of the technology off when a novice is first learning to drive so that they become proficient in driving a vehicle without using the technology. As new drivers develop proficiency in their skills, then introduce each technology, one by one, and the proper use of it while driving. Too often, drivers are using assistive technology as if their vehicles were autonomous, they are not. The technology in vehicles today assists the driver in the driving process. Using the technology as if it “does everything” can lead to a dangerous outcome.