The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports have released their latest collaborative rankings, identifying 96 vehicle models as the safest choices for teen drivers in the United States. This annual report, published this week, aims to assist parents in selecting reliable, crash-tested vehicles that prioritize safety features over aesthetics or performance, addressing the ongoing public health concern of high accident rates among novice motorists.
Understanding the Safety Criteria
The selection process relies on rigorous testing protocols, focusing on vehicles that provide superior crash protection, effective crash avoidance technology, and moderate horsepower. The IIHS emphasizes that teen drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents due to inexperience, making vehicle stability and automated safety systems critical components in mitigating risk.
Consumer Reports complements these findings by evaluating vehicle reliability and real-world performance data. According to the organizations, the list is divided into
