Ideal Cars for Teens

2008 Toyota RAV4 

Image by The Toad via Flickr

If your teen is ready to get a license, you are probably thinking about what kind of car he or she can drive. Buying a car for a teen can be a stressful time. Cost is a variable for most families when it comes to picking out a teenager’s car. You also want your child to be safe and comfortable. Check out a few of these popular picks for teenage automobiles.

One car that may be a good fit for your teen is a Hyundai Elantra. This car is stylish and has many safety features. It can also typically be purchased new for around $15,000. You will love the traction control, anti-lock breaks and six airbags. Your teen will love the fresh, new look of the car and iPod jack.

If your teen is insisting on an SUV, there are options available besides expensive gas guzzlers like the Cadillac Escalade or the Lincoln Navigator. The Toyota Rav4 can make a great SUV for a young driver. This SUV has a price point in the low $20,000 range and gets between 22 and 28 miles per gallon. The Rav4 is loaded with safety features including an advanced airbag system and side impact door beams.

The funky and fresh looking Kia Soul can be a great fit for a family on a budget. The price point of this vehicle is around $13,000. Your teen will enjoy the futuristic look of this car and some of the unique colors that it comes in such as alien green and ignition orange. The car comes standard with both front and side airbags for optimal safety.

Best Cars For The Money Awards 2010

The year 2010 saw the revival of the automotive industry, after more than a year of recessionary turmoil. With the recovery process making its way, consumers still face the problem of deciding which car to buy. America News gave the Best Car for the Money prize so as to shortlist the best cars in a plethora of categories. The award takes into consideration trucks, cars and SUVs which are adored by car reviewers and as well as by the customers out there.

There were 23 categories for which awards were conferred. Toyota took away nearly a quarter of the awards. Toyota Prius won the Hybrid Car class whereas Lexus took away the Hybrid SUV class by its RX Hybrid. Toyota Land Cruiser and FJ Cruiser, Sequoia  though not considered as green as the earlier ones, also won awards.

Nissan Versa and Hyundai Elantra won in the compact and subcompact car categories. Hyundai Genesis turned out to be a big surprise by winning the top midsized value car award by surpassing giants like BMW, Lexus and Infiniti. Chrysler and General Motors showed disappointing results with the former not even managing a single award. As for General Motors, the only award was won by Chevrolet Corvette in the top luxury value car category. Ford Taurus won the family sedan class and the Ford F – 150 won the “Best Full-Size Truck for the Money.”

Best Car for the Money honors cars, trucks and SUVs which combines various good features into one rather than being good in only one thing. The award winners here showcase a blend of features which sets them apart and appeals to the majority of the buyers. It is not given from the fashion point of view, by from the concept of day-to-day use and value when compared to other cars of the same segment.