Are You Driving a Used Vehicle That Isn’t Safe?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has just released figures showing that many teen drivers are behind the wheel of vehicles that don’t offer good crash protection and lack important safety features. To help guide parents and teens to safer choices, it has compiled a first-ever list of recommended used vehicles for teens.

There are two tiers of recommended vehicles with options at different pricing areas, from less than $5,000 to nearly $20,000.

The IIHS has these recommendations to consider when buying a used vehicle for a teen:

• Young drivers should stay away from high horsepower. Vehicles with more powerful engines can tempt them to test the limits.
   
• Bigger, heavier vehicles protect better in a crash. There are no minicars or small cars on the recommended list. Small SUVs are included because their weight is similar to that of a midsize car.
   
• ESC is a must. This feature, which helps a driver maintain control of the vehicle on curves and slippery roads, reduces risk on a level comparable to safety belts.
   
• Vehicles should have the best safety ratings possible. At a minimum, that means good ratings in the IIHS moderate overlap front test, acceptable ratings in the IIHS side crash test, and four or five stars from the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA).

IIHS Ratings (Top 3 rated vehicles in each category.
For the complete list go to www.sav-on.com/used-vehicle-safety-ratings.html )

Best Choices: Recommended Used Vehicles Under $20,000

Large Cars....Price*
Saab 9-5 sedan (2010 and later)....$17,500
Lincoln MKS (2009 and later)....$15,500
Buick Regal (2011 and later)....$13,500
Midsize Cars....Price*
Toyota Prius v (2012 and later)....$19,100
Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan (2009 and later)....$16,000
Honda Accord (sedan 2012 and later; coupe 2013-14)....$14,400
Small SUVs....Price*
Honda CR-V (2012 and later)....$18,100
Kia Sportage (2011 and later)....$13,800
Hyundai Tucson (2010 and later)....$13,100
Midsize SUVs....Price*
Volvo XC60 (2010 and later)....$18,000
Saab 9-4X (2011-12)....$17,800
Toyota Highlander (2008 and later)....$17,100
Large SUVs....Price*
Buick Enclave (2011 and later)....$19,900
GMC Acadia (2011 and later)....$17,800
Chevrolet Traverse (2011 and later)....$16,600
Minivans....Price*
Chrysler Town & Country (2012 and later)....$18,100
Honda Odyssey (2011 and later)....$17,100
Toyota Sienna (2011 and later)....$16,400

Good Choices: Recommended Used Vehicles Under $10,000

Large Cars....Price*
Acura RL (2005 and later)....$9,700
Mercury Sable (2009)....$9,700
Kia Amanti (2009)....$9,500
Midsize Cars....Price*
Subaru Legacy (2009)....$9,900
BMW 3-series sedan (2006 and later)....$9,300
Mazda 6 (2009 and later)....$8,900
Small SUVs....Price*
Nissan Rogue (2008 and later)....$9,800
Ford Escape (2009 and later)....$8,700
Mazda Tribute (2009 and later)....$8,100  
Midsize SUVs....Price*
Mazda CX-9 (2007 and later)....$9,800
Ford Edge (2007-10)....$9,600
Hyundai Veracruz (2007 and later)....$9,600
Minivans....Price*
Volkswagen Routan (2009-11)....$8,600
Dodge Grand Caravan (2008-11)....$8,200
Chrysler Town & Country (2008-11)....$8,100


*Prices, rounded to the nearest $100, were taken from Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com on July 1, 2014, for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year based on the following criteria: vehicle in good condition, typical mileage and private party purchase in Arlington, Va.

Note: Some listed models include a “built after” date. This applies when a manufacturer makes changes to improve safety in the middle of a model year. Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured can be found on the certification label typically affixed to the driver door or near it.

--> For more information, go to www.iihs.org