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Top 10 Best Cars for Teenagers
May 31, 2012
Now that the school year is winding down, many teens are looking for a vehicle that will get them to and from their summer jobs. Others are going to need a car for college.
This week, both Edmunds.com and Consumer Reports released their list of the top 10 best cars for teens.
Both sources agree that the best cars are those that rank well in crash tests, are large enough to offer adequete crash-worthiness, and should not be overly powerful.
Most of the recommended vehicles are family sedans, and both sources agree that SUVs should be avoided.
Here are the top 10 picks (vehicles in bold were recommended by both sources).
| Edmunds.com Picks | Consumer Reports Picks |
|---|---|
| 2009 Honda Accord | Chevrolet Malibu (4-cyl., 2008 or later) |
| 2009 Toyota Camry | Ford Focus sedan (2009-2011) |
| 2010 Chevrolet Malibu | Honda Accord (4-cyl., 2008 or later) |
| 2010 Volkswagen Jetta | Hyundai Sonata (4-cyl., 2006 or later) |
| 2011 Hyundai Sonata | Kia Optima (non-turbo, 2010 or later) |
| 2012 Honda Accord | Mazda3 i Touring (2009 or later) |
| 2012 Hyundai Sonata | Nissan Altima (4-cyl., 2010 or later) |
| 2012 Toyota Camry | Subaru Impreza (non-turbo, 2009 or later) |
| 2012 Volkswagen Jetta | Toyota Corolla (2010 or later) |
| 2013 Chevrolet Malibu | Volkswagen Jetta (2007-2010) |
3 Steps Every Car Buyer Needs to Take to Save Maximum Money
The key to getting the best deal is to gather price or lease bids from as many local dealers as possible. Then shop that best price around until no one can beat it. Here are the steps:Step 1 Get Prices From My Trusted Network
Select the vehicle you're interested in to see if there are local dealers in my network who will provide you with their best upfront price. You will get direct access to an internet sales manager who you can further negotiate with online (no need to visit dealership).Select Vehicle to Get Local Pricing
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