Blog Entry
Hyundai Sonata & Elantra Named Best Cars for Teens by Consumer Reports
July 29, 2011 by HyundaiDifference, under Dealership News, Hyundai Awards, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.
Photo: 2011 Elantra
Looking to buy a new or used car in Arizona for your teenage driver? According to Consumer Reports, the Hyundai Sonata and Elantra SE are the best cars for teens in terms of safety, reliability, cost and fuel-efficiency.
Consumer Reports’ 2011 Best Cars for Teens
Handing the keys over to your teenager is one of the scariest times in a parent’s life. The CDC reports that car crashes are the number-one killer of teens, with teen drivers being four times more likely to crash than adults. That’s why putting your new, inexperienced driver behind the wheel of the safest, most reliable car you can afford is of the utmost importance.
Luckily for parents, Consumer Reports helps take the guess-work out of buying a car for your teen by creating a list of the best relatively new, relatively cheap options to keep your kids safe behind the wheel.
First off, Consumer Reports advises parents to stay away from trucks and large SUVs for new drivers, as they tend to have clumsy handling, poor fuel economy, and their high centers of gravity make them more likely to roll over. They also suggest staying away from sports cars and other fast cars for obvious reasons, including that their insurance rates are much higher, and cars that old more than five passengers – your teen has enough to concentrate on without a bunch of rowdy passengers distracting them.
So what does that leave? Consumer Reports suggests parents look to small cars and family sedans, which tend to offer a good balance of controllability, safety and visibility. You should get as many modern safety systems as your budget allows, including anti-lock brakes, curtain airbags, stability and traction control, and good crash test scores. You should also look for a car that has sufficient acceleration to merge onto busy highways, good brakes, and efficient handling.
Based on these criteria, Consumer Reports chose the following models, which not only scored well in their testing but also come available with the recommended safety equipment.
2011 Best Cars for Teens:
* Hyundai Sonata (2006 or later)
* Hyundai Elantra SE (2008 or later)
* Acura TSX (2004 or later)
* Ford Focus sedan (2009 or later)
* Mazda3 Touring (2007 or later)
* Scion xB (2008 or later)
* Volkswagen Jetta (2007 or later)
* Volkswagen Rabbit (2007 or later)
Hyundai Sonata & Elantra at Hyundai of Tempe
The Hyundai Sonata and Elantra are some of the top-selling models at Hyundai of Tempe, thanks to their class-leading fuel economy (2011 Elantra packs a whopping 40 mpg) and numerous awards for safety and value.
In addition to earning the TOP SAFETY PICK from IIHS, the 2011 Hyundai Elantra was named one of the “Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000” by kbb.com, has been named one of the best fuel-efficient cars from Cars.com, and won first place in Motor Trend’s comparison of the best-selling compact sedans.
Not to be outdone, the 2011 Sonata has been named a “BEST BET” by TrueCar.com, and a “best car for families” by both Kiplinger’s and Parents Magazine/Edmuns.com. The 35-mpg Sonata also comes in a new hybrid version that outshines all other competitors. The 40-mpg Sonata Hybrid is one of only two hybrids on the market that have received both a TOP SAFETY PICK designation from IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating.
Stop by Hyundai of Tempe this weekend to have your teen test drive a brand new 2011 Elantra or 2011 Sonata, or check out one of our Certified Used Hyundai models. Our friendly team will help you pick the best car for your teen – and your budget.
Hyundai of Tempe
8050 South Autoplex Loop
Tempe, Az 85284
