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For the first time, an annual list of used and new vehicles recommended as suitable for teenage drivers includes good ratings for insistent seat belt reminders.
The compilation of more than 100 used models and another 22 brand-new vehicles is intended to help parents choose options that are both easier and safer for the inexperienced drivers in their households.
Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have collaborated on the listing since 2020.
The criterion of a good seat belt reminder rating means that all of the vehicles on the list have loud and persistent notifications to buckle up that are hard to ignore.
IIHS says young people are less likely to buckle their seat belts than other groups, so the more prominent reminders are an added layer of safety to help compensate for lower levels of maturity among younger drivers.
The list could also help families with younger children choose a vehicle that they could later hand down to a new teen driver, IIHS said.
The 144 models exclude performance- and mini vehicles, those with high horsepower relative to weight, and large SUVs and pickups because the latter can be challenging to handle and require longer distances to stop.
Those that made the list instead stand out for greater safety features. They scored at least average in Consumer Reports testing for braking and emergency and routine handling and got higher usability scores, meaning their interior setups are simple and have fewer distractions. And every model has standard electronic stability control.
IIHS warned that although several electric models made the list, parents should keep in mind EVs’ immediate torque, which could pose safety concerns for teen drivers.
