by Frank Lobsterman

Created on: August 11, 2011   Last Updated: August 12, 2011

New and inexperienced drivers are prone to accidents, and responsible parents realize this. For this reason, many parents will seek an inexpensive, reliable used car for their teen drivers. In the case of parking lot dings and slow-moving accidents, and generally in terms of cost, this strategy works well. Newer vehicles, however, fare much better in the life-threatening collisions that are every parent's worst nightmare. Newer vehicles also tend  to handle better, and they have more advanced ABS systems that help the car stop and steer in all road conditions.

With collision preparedness and aversion in mind, the next items on the list should be affordability and efficiency. Once you've narrowed the field based on these criteria, take the new driver shopping to decide which vehicle he or she likes best. With all of this in mind, it's important to look at some of the best options out there. This list is presented in no particular order.

Subaru Impreza - The Subaru line almost always receives a 4- or 5-star crash test rating across the board. In addition, Subaru's vehicles are notorious for making it well beyond the 300,000 mile mark, while their standard all-wheel-drive system handles all weather conditions with aplomb. Full details are not yet available on the redesigned 2012 model, coming later this year, but what is known is that the CVT hatchback model is rated at 36 MPG highway, the best rating of any all-wheel-drive vehicle ever sold in the states. Drivers who prefer to shift their own gears can still expect an incredible 33 MPG on the highway. For those who can't wait for the 2012 models to roll out, the 2011 is also a great, safe car, with a less-impressive highway fuel economy rating of 27 MPG and a price tag starting at $17,485.

Hyundai Accent - Hyundai is another company that almost always gets 4 or 5 stars in crash tests. Like the Impreza, it comes standard with great brakes and handling, as well as amazing gas mileage. The FWD car is less expensive, though, with a $9,985 base price for the 2011 model. The Accent is also due for a redesign in 2012, and the new model is projected to achieve 40 MPG highway with its 1.6-liter I-4 mated to either a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission. Again, the still-current 2011 model is slightly less impressive at 36 MPG highway.

Chevrolet Cruze ECO - This car's not a hybrid, but you wouldn't know it from the numbers. Chevy has shown pretty consistently that it knows how to get great gas

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>