12 General Motors Models Make IIHS’ List of Recommended Used Cars for Teens

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has put out its first ever list of recommended used vehicles for teen drivers, and 12 former and current General Motors products made the list. The list was put together following a survey which indicated more than half of all teen drivers have 2006 model year or earlier vehicles which may not be equipped with stability control or other more modern safety features. The list will guide teens and parents and give them examples of safe, affordable vehicles to shop for.

“We know many teens are driving the older, smaller vehicles in the family fleet are less likely to afford optimal crash protection,” IIHS Senior Vice President for Research Anne Mccartt said. “The vehicles from GM brands on our list provide teens with important safety features across all family budgets.”

Cars from GM were mentioned in two categories, ‘Best Choices’, for cars $20,000 and under and ‘Good Choices’ for cars $10,000 and under. In total, three Chevrolets, four Buicks, two GMCs, two Saturns and one Saab made the list.

‘Best Choices’ cars earned Good ratings in the IIHS moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint crash tests. The vehicles also earned at least four out of five stars in federal government crash tests and offer standard electronic stability control. They are listed below with pricing excluding tax, title and license. Prices are based on the oldest model and lowest trim levels in Good condition or Better condition found on Kelley Blue Book.

2011 and later Buick Regal: $13,500

2010 and later Buick LaCrosse: $12,900

2010 and later Chevrolet Malibu built after November 2009: $10,900

2012 and later Buick Verano: $14,100

2010 and later GMC Terrain: $14,900

2010 and later Chevrolet Equinox: $13,700

2011 and later Buick Enclave: $19,900

2011 and later GMC Acadia: $17,800

2011 and later Chevrolet Traverse: $16,600

‘Good Choices’ earned ‘Good’ ratings in the IIHS moderate overlap front test and good or acceptable ratings in the side test. They also earned at least four stars in federal front and side tests, offer standard stability control and received a rating of marginal or better for head restraints and seats.

2009 and later Saturn Aura (no longer in production): $8,800

2005 and later Saab 9-3 (no longer in production): $4,000

2008-2009 Saturn Vue (no longer in production): $7,700

“These IIHS recommendations will help guide our customers as they seek safe and affordable transportation for their young drivers,” said Alan Batey vice president of GM North America. “The technologies that help inexperienced teen drivers in many cases avoid crashes are found on many of our late-model vehicles.”