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Finding a safe car for your teenager to drive

Photo: iStockphoto

With fatal auto accidents a serious danger for teenagers, you want to make sure your teen is driving a safe car. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which rates cars after crash tests, has some advice. And the IIHS has a list of safe used cars going back to 2005 models.

"A teenager's first car is more than just a financial decision," says IIHS president Adrian Lund. "These lists of recommended used cars can help factor in safety, in addition to affordability." The IIHS list includes averages prices for the models it recommends.

The Institute's most important piece of advice: Avoid small cars. Among fatally injured drivers age 15 to 17 between 2008 and 2012, 29 percent were in small vehicles, IIHS says. And make sure any car you consider has modern safety equipment. That usually means 2006 models or later, except in the case of brands like Volvo that pioneered new safety equipment.

For those reasons, the Institute recommended no small cars and mostly cars of the 2006 model and later, through 2012. All their recommendations received high crash test ratings when they were new.

The safety specialists at IIHS recommend avoiding cars with powerful, high-horsepower engines since they are too tempting for teens to see how fast they can go. And a crucial safety feature is electronic stability control (ECS), also known as traction control. This technology senses when a car starts to slide and stabilizes that slide, preventing a potential rollover accident.

You do want to hunt for a bargain in a used car if possible. Just putting a teenager on your auto insurance policy will increase your premiums by an average of 79 percent, according to InsuranceQuotes.com.

The IIHS list includes dozens of "best" and "good" vehicles - here we highlight six reasonably-priced choices from the list.

Large cars: Ford Taurus 2009, average price $9,100

Photo: Ford

Ford added electronic stability control to the 2009 Taurus for the first time. As a capable highway cruiser, the Taurus was criticized by some reviewers as not exciting to drive. But with a teenage driver, that is probably a plus.

This Taurus can comfortably seat five, which allows your teen to haul some friends. The Taurus also boasts a comfortable interior and a commodious trunk. If you find a well-equipped version, this car will have an early version of Ford Sync -- the entertainment and navigation system that was widely praised at the time. It also has a CD player, but your teen may ignore that as outmoded technology.

Midsize cars: Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2005 through 2008, average price $6,900

Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

It's not a sports car, but you might get points from your teen for choosing a luxury brand. And since these early year Mercedes had necessary safety equipment, the price tag is palatable for you.

Among these years, reviewers saw the 2007 C-Class as a good choice for someone on a budget yearning for a luxury car. The entry-level Mercedes, the 2007 model started just under $30,000 when new. The C-Class is not long on passenger or cargo room, but a comfortable, predictable ride with a luxury nameplate may be plenty to offset that drawback.

Small SUV: Ford Escape 2009 and later, average price $8,700

Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The 2009 Escape received several upgrades from previous models. Critics praised its improved handling, and higher-horsepower engines that are described as providing adequate acceleration. With EPA ratings of 20 MPG in city driving and 28 on the highway, the Escape also had superior gas mileage among small SUVs at the time.

Like the Taurus, this 2009 model offers an early version of the Sync infotainment system if you find a car that was a well-equipped version. Reviewers also found the Escape to have a pleasing interior and a reasonably comfortable ride.

Midsize SUV: GMC Terrain 2010 and later, average price $14,900

Photo: General Motors

The Terrain was a new model in 2010, and it won immediate praise for its driveability and strong fuel economy (22 city, 32 highway). Reviewers also liked its interior flexibility. The rear seats slide back and forth to provide either more cargo room or better leg room for rear seat passengers.

Inside, the Terrain won praise for its upscale design and comfortable seats. For entertainment, the Terrain comes standard with six-speaker stereo and satellite radio.

Large SUV: Chevrolet Traverse 2011 and later, average price $16,600

Photo: FPI Studios

What you are paying for here is size and weight, which will almost always keep occupants safe in a collision with a smaller vehicle. Reviewers said it was a great choice for anyone who needed room and practicality but couldn't stand to drive a minivan.

When it was new, U.S.News named it the best in its class for the money. With a roomy third-row seat, the Traverse can seat eight, and its cargo space beats most competitors. And its EPA ratings of 17 MPG in city driving and 24 on the highway are competitive in this class. For the technology-minded, it has USB and Bluetooth connectivity for cell phones.

Minivan: Honda Odyssey 2011 and later, average price $17,100

Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Honda has long made the best minivan, and this vintage is no exception. The toughest sell here may be convincing your teen to drive a minivan. But point out that, with a little squeezing, his or her soccer team will likely fit inside, along with their gear.

Like the large SUV, the Odyssey gives you a size and weight advantage over most vehicles that might be involved in a collision. For anyone taking frequent road trips, the 18 MPG in the city and a sizable 27 on the highway will save money. Upgraded suspension in 2011 gave the Odyssey a smoother ride. And critics praised ample legroom for second and third-row passengers, as well as rear seats that easily fold flat for more cargo.

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