As a new school year approaches, many students will be setting their sights on buying a vehicle to help them navigate their way to campus, as well as visits home if going away to school. But what vehicles are best for students (and parents) who want a vehicle that not only fits the budget but also is safe and reliable?
If it’s a new car you’re looking to buy, the following three 2021 vehicles have ranked well with U.S.-based Kelley Blue Book for affordability, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for protecting the vehicle’s occupants in a crash, and from Consumer Reports (CR) for their overall performance and reliability.
There’s something to be said when three agencies separately agree on what makes a car a good choice.
While buying a new vehicle is a nice idea, it’s not always realistic. For most young drivers, it’s likely a used vehicle that will end up parked in the driveway. To help you decide which used vehicles are best, IIHS offers the following four tips to help you narrow down your choices:
Avoid getting a vehicle with a powerful engine and high horsepower to steer clear of the temptation of testing the limits.
Look to bigger, heavier vehicles, which are typically safer and protect better in a crash.
Only buy a vehicle with Electronic Stability Control (ESC). ESC helps a driver maintain control of the vehicle on curves, slippery roads, and when the driver needs to swerve or brake suddenly. ESC has been mandatory in Canada for all cars manufactured since September 2011.
Review the safety ratings of the vehicles that have made your short list. You can see how cars compare at the IIHS and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
As for specific vehicles, the IIHS and CR co-created a list of the best used car choices for teens. Here are the top three vehicles in each category:
Before buying a new (or used) car for back-to-school, compare car insurance quotes to research which vehicle will save you the most in premiums. The cost of car insurance can vary considerably between different makes and models, therefore failing to compare rates before sealing the deal could be costly.