Choosing the right SUV for a teenage driver can be a tough job for parents. Teen drivers need a car that is safe, easy to drive, and reliable. This helps them stay protected while learning to drive and gives parents peace of mind.
SUVs are popular family vehicles because they are roomy and practical. Many families want SUVs for their teens because they offer more space for friends, gear, and groceries. But not all SUVs are good for new or young drivers.
Some SUVs come with modern safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. These features help prevent accidents and make driving easier for teens who are still gaining experience. Choosing a vehicle with these features can save lives.
Reliability is another important factor. An SUV that breaks down often or needs expensive repairs can cause stress and extra costs. Families need vehicles that can last many years without major problems, especially for teenagers who are still learning.
It’s also important to consider how easy the SUV is to drive. Some SUVs are big and difficult to handle for beginners. Others have smooth steering and good visibility, which helps new drivers feel more confident behind the wheel.
5 Family SUVs That Survive Teenage Drivers
On the other hand, some SUVs may look cool but have poor safety ratings or high insurance costs. These vehicles might not be the best choice for young drivers. It is important to avoid SUVs that are known for falling apart or causing trouble.
1) Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is one of the most trusted SUVs for families, especially for teenage drivers. It is well known for being reliable and safe, which makes it a smart choice for young people learning to drive.
This SUV comes with Honda Sensing, a set of safety tools that help keep drivers safe on the road. Features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist make driving easier and help prevent accidents.
Teen drivers benefit from the CR-V’s spacious interior, which gives plenty of room for friends and family. This makes it comfortable for daily trips, school runs, or weekend outings without feeling cramped.
Another strong point of the CR-V is its excellent fuel efficiency. It uses less gas compared to many other SUVs, which helps save money on fuel—an important factor for families with young drivers.
The CR-V has a reputation for lasting many years with few problems. This means it won’t need costly repairs often, making it a dependable vehicle that families can trust for their teens.
It also has good visibility and easy handling, which helps teenage drivers feel more confident on the road. The CR-V’s smooth ride and user-friendly controls make learning to drive less stressful.
In addition, the Honda CR-V holds its value well over time. This means families can expect a good resale price if they decide to sell or trade it in the future.
Overall, the Honda CR-V combines safety, reliability, comfort, and economy. These qualities make it a top choice for families looking for a practical and trustworthy SUV for their teenage drivers.
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2) Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is a popular SUV that many families trust for their teenage drivers. It offers a good mix of safety, reliability, and practicality, which are important factors for young and new drivers.
This SUV comes with Toyota Safety Sense, a set of smart safety features designed to protect drivers. It includes pre-collision braking that helps stop the car if an accident is likely, and lane departure alert that warns drivers if they start to drift out of their lane.
The RAV4 provides a comfortable ride, which is important for teens who are still gaining confidence behind the wheel. Its smooth handling makes it easier for new drivers to control the vehicle, especially in busy city traffic or on long drives.
Another advantage of the Toyota RAV4 is its good fuel economy. It uses fuel efficiently, helping families save money on gas. This makes it an affordable option for parents who want a reliable SUV without high running costs.
This SUV also has a strong resale value, meaning it holds its worth well over time. Families can benefit from this if they decide to sell or trade the vehicle later on, making it a smart financial choice.
The Toyota RAV4 offers plenty of space inside, with enough room for passengers and cargo. This makes it practical for everyday use, from school runs to family trips.
In summary, the Toyota RAV4 is a well-rounded SUV that combines safety, comfort, and value. These qualities make it a great choice for families looking to provide their teenage drivers with a dependable and easy-to-drive vehicle.
3) Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is a family SUV that offers a fun driving experience while keeping safety a top priority. It is known for its sporty handling, which makes driving more enjoyable and helps new drivers feel confident behind the wheel.
This SUV has earned high safety ratings from experts, showing it can protect drivers and passengers well in case of accidents. It also includes advanced safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking to help avoid crashes.
Teen drivers will appreciate how the CX-5 responds to their driving, making it feel more like a car than a large SUV. This engaging driving experience can help teens learn better control and enjoy their time on the road.
Inside, the Mazda CX-5 has an upscale, comfortable interior that feels more luxurious than many other SUVs in its class. The seats are supportive, and the cabin is quiet, which makes trips with friends or family more pleasant.
Another important benefit is that the CX-5 has user-friendly technology, including a simple infotainment system. This means teens can easily use navigation, music, and phone features without too much distraction.
Fuel efficiency is good for this SUV, helping families save on gas without sacrificing performance. It is a practical choice for daily use, whether it’s going to school or weekend activities.
Overall, the Mazda CX-5 combines sporty driving, strong safety, and comfort. This makes it a great SUV option for families wanting their teenage drivers to have a safe and enjoyable ride.
4) Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is a family SUV that offers many safety features, making it a good choice for teenage drivers. It comes with Hyundai SmartSense, a set of helpful technologies designed to keep drivers safe on the road.
One important feature is forward collision-avoidance assist, which helps the car stop if it senses a possible crash ahead. Another key safety tool is lane-keeping assist, which gently guides the vehicle back into its lane if it starts to drift, helping teens stay focused.
The Tucson also offers a user-friendly infotainment system that is easy for new drivers to use. This system allows teens to control music, navigation, and phone calls without getting too distracted, which is very important while driving.
Comfort is another strength of the Hyundai Tucson. The seats are soft and supportive, making even longer drives pleasant for both the driver and passengers.
In addition, the Tucson provides good visibility from the driver’s seat, which helps teens feel more confident when changing lanes or parking. Its smooth steering and manageable size also make it easier for new drivers to handle.
Fuel efficiency is reasonable for this SUV, helping families save money on gas. The Tucson is also known for being reliable, which means it requires fewer repairs and is less stressful to own.
Overall, the Hyundai Tucson blends strong safety features with comfort and convenience. These qualities make it a smart and practical SUV for families looking to support their teenage drivers with a safe and easy-to-drive vehicle.
5) Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is a family SUV known for its strong safety and all-wheel drive, which comes standard with every model. This feature helps provide better control and traction, especially in bad weather like rain or snow, making it a good choice for new drivers.
The Forester also includes Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which offers helpful tools like adaptive cruise control. This system keeps a safe distance from the car ahead, helping prevent crashes and making driving less stressful for teens.
Another important safety feature is pre-collision braking, which can automatically stop the car if a crash seems likely. These advanced safety tools give parents peace of mind knowing their teens have extra protection on the road.
Teen drivers will also appreciate the Forester’s excellent visibility from the driver’s seat. Large windows and well-placed mirrors make it easier to see other cars, pedestrians, and obstacles, which helps avoid accidents.
Inside, the Forester has a spacious cabin with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. This makes it practical for school, sports, and family trips, offering comfort for everyone.
The Forester is also easy to drive thanks to its smooth handling and responsive steering. This helps teens build confidence behind the wheel and enjoy their driving experience.
Fuel efficiency is good for an SUV with all-wheel drive, helping families save money on gas. Plus, Subaru has a reputation for reliability, which means fewer repairs and lower costs over time.
In short, the Subaru Forester combines safety, space, and dependable performance. These qualities make it a strong choice for families looking to keep their teenage drivers safe and comfortable on the road.
Also read: 5 Cars With Durable Interiors and 5 That Fall Apart Inside
5 Family SUVs That Fall Apart for Teenage Drivers
When it comes to handing over the keys to a teenage driver, safety and reliability should be non-negotiable. But not all family SUVs are up to the task.
Some start falling apart the moment they’re pushed even slightly outside their comfort zone — and for new drivers who are still learning the ropes, that’s a risk you can’t afford to take. From questionable build quality to expensive repair histories, here are five family SUVs that simply don’t cut it when your teen is behind the wheel.
1) Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is a popular SUV, especially among teenagers who like its rugged and cool look. However, it is not the safest choice for young drivers because it has poor safety ratings.
One major problem with the Wrangler is its low scores in side-impact and rollover crash tests. These tests show how well a vehicle protects its occupants in different types of accidents.
Because of its boxy design and higher center of gravity, the Jeep Wrangler is more likely to roll over during sharp turns or sudden maneuvers. This increases the risk of serious injury, especially for inexperienced teen drivers.
The Wrangler’s safety performance makes it a risky option for families who want to keep their teenagers protected on the road. Parents should be cautious when considering this SUV for a young driver.
Besides safety, the Wrangler’s ride is also rougher compared to other family SUVs. This can make it harder for new drivers to handle, especially on regular streets and highways.
The Jeep Wrangler often comes with fewer modern safety features that help prevent accidents. Many newer SUVs offer advanced technology like automatic braking and lane-keeping assist, which the Wrangler lacks.
In addition, insurance costs for the Wrangler tend to be higher, partly because of its crash risk and off-road nature. This can add extra financial burden for families with teenage drivers.
Overall, the Jeep Wrangler’s style might attract teens, but its safety concerns and handling make it less suitable for young drivers. Families should consider safer and more reliable options to protect their teenagers on the road.
2) Nissan Qashqai (Older Models)
Older Nissan Qashqai models have shown problems with reliability, which makes them a poor choice for teenage drivers. These vehicles are known for having a high number of faults and breakdowns over time.
When a car breaks down often, it can cause a lot of trouble and stress for young drivers and their families. Unexpected repairs may mean the vehicle is not ready to use when teens need it the most.
Maintenance costs for these older Qashqai models can add up quickly, leading to extra expenses. This can be difficult for families to manage, especially when teens are just starting to drive.
Reliability is very important for teenage drivers because they need a car that works well every day. A vehicle that fails frequently can distract teens from focusing on learning and safe driving.
Because of these issues, the older Nissan Qashqai models are not the safest or most practical option for young drivers. Choosing a more reliable SUV can help teens avoid breakdowns and stay safe on the road.
In addition to mechanical problems, some older models may lack the latest safety features. This puts young drivers at higher risk because their car may not have technologies that help prevent accidents.
Families looking for a good SUV for teens should consider vehicles with better reliability records and modern safety systems. This will help ensure that their young drivers have a safer and smoother driving experience.
In short, the older Nissan Qashqai models have reliability and safety concerns that make them less suitable for teenage drivers. It’s better to look for SUVs known for dependability and strong safety ratings.
3) BMW X7
The BMW X7 is a luxury SUV that many people admire for its style and features. However, it is not the best choice for teenage drivers because it comes with a very high price and costly maintenance.
Owning a BMW X7 means spending a lot of money on repairs and regular upkeep. These expensive costs can create financial stress for families, especially when teenagers are still learning to drive.
For young drivers, the risk of minor accidents or damage is higher as they gain experience. Fixing a luxury SUV like the X7 after even small damages can be very expensive, adding extra worry for parents and teens.
In addition, the insurance for a BMW X7 is usually much higher than for more affordable SUVs. This adds to the overall cost, making it less practical for families with teenage drivers.
The BMW X7’s powerful engine and large size may also make it harder for new drivers to handle safely. Teen drivers often benefit from smaller, easier-to-drive vehicles when they are still building their skills.
Because of these factors, the BMW X7 is not an ideal choice for families looking for a safe, affordable SUV for their teenagers. It is better to choose a vehicle that is easier to maintain and less costly to own.
In summary, while the BMW X7 is a luxury SUV with many features, its high repair costs and expensive upkeep make it a poor fit for teenage drivers. Families should look for reliable and budget-friendly SUVs that help keep teens safe without breaking the bank.
4) Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse is known for its roomy interior, making it a popular choice for families needing space. However, it falls short when it comes to safety features, especially compared to newer SUVs.
Many older Traverse models do not include advanced safety technology that helps prevent accidents. This can be a concern for teenage drivers who need extra protection on the road.
Without features like automatic emergency braking or lane-keeping assist, teens may face a higher risk of crashes. These safety tools are important because they can help correct mistakes made by new drivers.
The lack of modern safety systems means parents need to be cautious before choosing a Traverse for their teens. While it offers comfort and space, safety should always be a top priority.
The Traverse also tends to have a larger size, which can be more difficult for young drivers to manage. Handling a bigger vehicle requires experience and skill that teenagers might still be developing.
Insurance costs for older models might also be higher because of the missing safety technology. This adds to the total expense families face when providing a vehicle for their teen.
Overall, while the Chevrolet Traverse provides ample room for passengers and cargo, it lacks important safety features that help protect young drivers. Families should consider SUVs with better safety technology to keep their teens safer on the road.
Also read: 5 Budget Cars That Feel Solid and 5 That Fall Apart Fast
5) Ford Bronco Sport
The Ford Bronco Sport is known for its strong off-road abilities and tough design. However, it may not be the best choice for teenage drivers because of its high insurance and maintenance costs.
Teen drivers often face higher insurance premiums, and the Bronco Sport’s rates tend to be more expensive than many other SUVs. This can add financial pressure on families who want to keep their teens protected without breaking the bank.
Maintenance costs for the Bronco Sport can also be higher compared to more common family SUVs. Regular repairs and upkeep may cost more, making it less practical for families with young drivers.
Since teens are still learning to drive, minor accidents or damage are more likely. Fixing a Bronco Sport can be costly, which means extra stress for both parents and teens.
While the Bronco Sport looks rugged and fun, it is important to consider the total cost of ownership before choosing it for a teenager. A less expensive SUV with lower insurance and maintenance costs might be a smarter option.
Besides cost, the Bronco Sport’s off-road focus may not be necessary for most teenage drivers. Many teens mainly drive in city or suburban areas where other SUVs offer better comfort and features.
In summary, the Ford Bronco Sport’s high insurance and maintenance expenses make it a less ideal SUV for teenage drivers. Families should look for more affordable and practical options that help keep teens safe without added financial strain.
