As the summer months draw near, parents are once more considering purchasing their teenagers’ first automobiles for those who will be attending college or for those who will have summer jobs. Parents typically choose vehicles that are simple to drive and have decent fuel efficiency when selecting the finest first car for their kid.
One of the top consumer protection organizations, Consumer Reports, provides a list of the best options for teenagers. The reliability, driver friendliness, fuel efficiency, safety, and price of course are shared characteristics of the vehicles on the list. Parents are advised against purchasing high performance vehicles for their teenagers because they are frequently more difficult to operate and use more gasoline.
Given that the car will be used by teenagers, it is crucial for parents to think carefully about the car’s aesthetic value before making a purchase. The Ford Focus is one of the vehicles on Consumer Reports’ list. Except for the two-door variants, any Focus from the 2002 to the current model year is advised. The four-cylinder Honda Accord EX is also suggested by Consumer Reports. From the 1998 model year onward, the Accord is strongly advised. Consumer Reports also recommends the Mazda 3 and the Honda Civic EX. The Mazda Protege ES models from 1999 to 2003 are likewise suggested as a suitable purchase for your teen.
The Nissan Altima 2.5 S four-cylinder is another initial vehicle that is suggested. Consumer Reports advises those made starting with the 2003 model year for this particular model. The list also included the Subaru Forester 2.5X. Also suggested are the Toyota Camry XLE V6 and LE with the four-cylinder engine. Consumer Reports recommends the Toyota Corolla starting with the 1999 model year. The Toyota RAV4 from the 2001 model year to the present is ranked number ten on the list.
Consumer Reports stated that bigger cars are also advised for individuals who require the adaptability and substantial cargo room that larger vehicles can only provide. Teen drivers of pickup trucks are advised to use cars without back seats. The Toyota Tacoma is one of the excellent options. Another is the dependable Nissan Frontier. Both the Tacoma and the Frontier have a reputation for dependability and user friendliness. Additionally, they are generally more fuel-efficient than other cars in their class. Ford Rangers, Chevrolet S10s, GMC Sonomas, Chevrolet Silverados, Mazda B-Series, and GMC Canyons are some further suggested pickups. These trucks provide huge vehicles’ adaptability and safety in addition to a decent fuel efficiency.
In This Article...
Are Nissan Altimas suitable as a teenager’s first vehicle?
Our list of the greatest selections for teenagers is headed by the Nissan Altima. Both the 2019 and 2020 Nissan Altima models received the highest ratings possible in every crash-test category, earning them recognition as IIHS Top Safety Picks. This trend of safety excellence is shown by the repeated success. Intelligent protection is embodied by the ProPILOT AssistTM technology that will be standard starting in 2019. Based on the current traffic flow, this feature automatically modifies the acceleration, braking, and steering. By automatically applying brake pressure when the system detects an impending collision in either direction, the Rear Automatic Braking in conjunction with the enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking helps to avoid crashes.
Do Nissans make decent first cars?
Your adolescent will love the tiny Nissan Versa as a first automobile. The Nissan Versa and Versa Note are budget-friendly vehicles that come in sedan and hatchback body styles. they start at under $15,000, and with their numerous standard features, you get a lot for your money. The Automatic Emergency Braking and other safety features that come with the Versa will give you piece of mind when your teen is operating the vehicle.
Young drivers also won’t have to worry as much about hitting another vehicle when backing out of a slot because the Versa is so small and easy to operate and park, even in confined urban locations.
Altima or Corolla: Which is superior?
The Nissan Altima is slightly more potent than the Toyota Corolla in terms of horsepower. The Nissan Altima’s engine transmits power to the wheels far better than the Toyota Corolla’s due to its significantly higher torque.
Nissan Altima dependability
Since its introduction in 1993, the Nissan Altima has shown to be a dependable and trustworthy vehicle. Owners of Nissan Altima vehicles rely on them for their dependability and safety. They are sturdy automobiles. When it comes to reliability, the Nissan Altima shines well. It ranks 11th out of 24 midsize automobiles with a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, according to RepairPal.
The Nissan Altima has lower ownership costs than the industry standard due to its low average repair cost of less than $500. Furthermore, Altima substantial repairs are not common. A Nissan Altima’s average annual cost for repairs and maintenance is $483, which is lower than the $526 average for other vehicles in the same category.
How do I start saving when I’m only 16?
How to save money for a car as a teenager is brought home.
- Plan your savings.
- Look for a recurring source of income.
- Limit unnecessary spending.
- When possible, find extra sources of income.
- Purchase an automobile.
How much should a teenager spend on their first car?
For any auto loan, new or secondhand, down payments are a terrific idea. You may be familiar with the suggestion that you should set aside 10% to 20% of the purchase price of a car as a down payment. Note that neither “saving $1,000” nor any other specific amount is recommended. The amount you should set aside is determined by the cost of the vehicle.
But keep in mind that if you choose a less expensive vehicle for your young driver, you could need more money up front to make it road-safe. This can entail inspecting the tires, brakes, oil, etc. The more work the vehicle may need before your teen gets behind the wheel, the less expensive the vehicle is. It’s a good idea to budget additional money in case you need it to get the automobile ready because of this.
Finding the ideal vehicle for a novice driver might be challenging. Your priorities are dependability, affordability, and perhaps a fancier car for your teen (who doesn’t?). The best course of action is to have your kid help you save or have them finance the car themselves if you don’t want to spend a fortune on their first automobile but still want them to be safe.
Which Nissan model is the most trustworthy?
Reliability was recently discussed as the Murano’s superpower. According to CR’s automotive data, the Murano is Nissan’s most dependable model. This Nissan is a worthy midsize SUV if this factor is one of your top objectives. The Murano additionally received a distinction that few other vehicles did. Due to its long-term quality, J.D. Power ranked it one of the top 2020 family SUVs. It also comes equipped with several of the newest active safety and infotainment systems, just like other new Nissans.
Another important selling factor for SUVs is their power. A 3.5-liter V6 engine with 260 horsepower and a continuously variable transmission are standard on all Muranos (CVT). The CVT on the Murano is unobtrusive and the V6 is quick. However, with an EPA rating of 23 mpg, it merely has average fuel efficiency. The Murano has poor external visibility as well.
Are Nissan Sentras suitable for teenage drivers?
As a result of receiving the highest possible ratings in each crash-test category, including roof strength, the 2016 Nissan Sentra was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. New headlights that enhance evening visibility were also introduced in 2016. Nissan has only enhanced the available safety systems with the 2016 model. The novel Nissan Safety Shield 360 is a feature of the most recent Sentra vehicles. A range of monitors and alarms are included in this package of safety features to assist you in preventing accidents. It has features including Adaptive Cruise Control, which modifies the cruise control speed settings in accordance with traffic conditions. It’s ideal for teenagers who may have a tendency to follow too closely.
What vehicles can Nissan Altima be compared to?
Nissan Altima vs. Rivals in 2022
- Nissan Altima 2022. Request a Price.
- Honda Accord 2022, Best Mid-Size Car.
- Hyundai Sonata 2022. Request a Price.
- #1 in Mid-Size Cars in 2022: Kia K5.
- # 3 in Mid-Size Cars: the 2022 Subaru Legacy.
- #3 in Mid-Size Cars: the 2022 Toyota Camry.
Is the 2016 Nissan Altima a reliable first vehicle?
Look no farther than the 2016 Nissan Altima if you want a reasonably priced vehicle that is dependable, gets excellent gas mileage, and has some of the best safety features you could ask for in a vehicle. Anyone on a tight budget or a first-time driver will love this sedan.
Trouble Spots
- Failures with the torque converter and transmission are common.
- Brakes may prematurely wear out.
- Because hood latches and passenger door latches might rust, they could both suddenly open while driving.
What Owners Are Saying
- “This automobile is incredibly quiet and comfortable. Road noise is nearly nonexistent. Climate control and power adjustments are also available for the passenger seat. This car will be used by us for long road trips, and we fully anticipate enjoying it. Anonymous
- “I bought this automobile since it was affordable and had great gas mileage. I had drove one as a rental and was astonished by the 42 mpg I received on the highway. I also really like the heated steering wheel, something I haven’t seen on other cars in this price range. Of course, the traffic assistance and blind spot monitoring are also nice features, and they didn’t set you out $50,000 like other high-end automobiles. Anonymous
- My third Altima is this one. I owned a 2016 2.5 SV, a 2013 3.5 SL, and a 2009 2.5S. The driving experience on this new one is the greatest of the three. It has excellent handling, is quite smooth, and is very cozy. It responds quickly to driving commands. Denver’s Peter S.
Which Altima model year is best?
The 1993, 1996, and 2019 Nissan Altima model years are the greatest. The worst Nissan Altima model years, on the other hand, are 2002, 2005, 2009, and 2013. If you’re seeking to buy a used Nissan Altima, it’s vital to pay attention to these model years.
Is the Altima a good investment?
Is the Nissan Altima a Reliable Vehicle? The Altima is a good mid-sized vehicle with strong motors, great fuel efficiency, a smooth ride, and cozy seats. It has a 9.6 out of 10 safety rating and can handle winter roads.
Maxima vs. Altima: Which is superior?
The Maxima excels if power is what you’re want, but the Altima is the better choice if efficiency is what you’re after. Both vehicles have fantastic gas mileage, but the Altima particularly shines in this department thanks to its VC-Turbo engine. Amazingly, the 2020 Nissan Altima gets 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the interstate. The Maxima offers an impressive 20 city and 30 highway miles per gallon, though not quite as high.