Top 7 Cars for High School Students

As the new school year begins and parents start looking for cheap, reliable and safe transportation for their high school aged children, the question then becomes: Which models provide the right combination of value and safety? As with all car shopping experiences, the sheer volume of choices and options can cause even the most savvy car shopper to become overwhelmed.

Many parents are understandably nervous when picking a car for a high school student. Safety is a big issue, as many parents don't trust that their teenagers will always put safety first. Affordability is another issue, as for many parents this may be at least the third car in the family. As with all car shopping experiences, it can be a little nerve wracking and overwhelming when you begin to shop and realize just how many different car models are out there. If you are looking for a good car for your high school student, here are 7 models to consider:

1. Honda Accord

When it comes to popularity, reliability, fuel economy and safety, you can't do much better than a Honda Accord. It comes with driver, passenger and side airbags, safety locks and a GPS system. Although many parents would feel safe sending their teens out in a Honda Accord, one drawback is that the teens themselves may have had something with a flashier look in mind.

• MSRP: $22,150 - $30,700
• CarsDirect Price: $21,558 - $29,362
• MPG: 22 City/32 Highway

2. Nissan Sentra

Nissans also have an excellent reputation for durability and reliability. A Nissan Sentra is a mid-size sedan that will fit your teen's needs. They also come equipped with all of the best safety features.

• MSRP: $16,810 - $21,380
• CarsDirect Price: $15,466 - $20,078
• MPG: 25 City/32 Highway

3. Ford Fusion

While Fords aren't generally considered quite as reliable as Nissans or Hondas, the Ford Fusion has tested very well in both safety and handling. And price-wise, it's a bargain that's hard to beat.

• MSRP: $20,645 - $29,795
• CarsDirect Price: $18,109 - $26,705
• MPG: 20 City/29 Highway

4. Hyundai Elantra

A Hyundai Elantra is also a good pick for a high school student. An extra added bonus of the Elantra is that Hyundais come with extended warranties, so if you are buying a used car for your high school student, a Hyundai may be the best way to go.

• MSRP: $15,955 - $21,205
• CarsDirect Price: $16,232 - $21,089
• MPG: 29 City/40 Highway

5. Ford Mustang

A high school student may love the sporty look of a Mustang. Mustangs have been around for quite some time and enjoy a reliable reputation. Mustangs are powerful cars, so it is important to make sure your high school student can handle a powerful vehicle before sending them out in one of these.

• MSRP: $22,995 - $41,105
• CarsDirect Price: $21,535 - $51,105
• MPG: 18 City/27 Highway

6. Kia Optima

Kia Optimas are peppy little cars that catch the eye of your high school student. Kias are fun cars that have tested well, and they have great warranty coverage.

• MSRP: $19,950 - $26,950
• CarsDirect Price: $19,938 - $25,674
• MPG: 23 City/34 Highway

7. Chevrolet Cavalier

Chevy Cavaliers are usually a staple in any high school parking lot. This is a two-door car that will get your high school student where they need to go. Unfortunately, they did not test so well in crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

• Used Car Price: $5,980 - $8,997
• MPG: 26 City/36 Highway

It's important to all parents to find a safe, reliable car for their high school student. Do a lot of research before purchasing a car. Read a lot of reviews, research safety ratings and test drive several models before deciding which one is best for your high school student.

Related Questions and Answers

How Does the Ford Fusion Hybrid Price Compare to the Ford Fusion Sport?

If you know how to find the Ford Fusion Hybrid price, then you can compare. Take a Ford Fusion Sport, swap the drivetrain to change it from a standard 3.5-liter V-6 Duratec engine to a rack of batteries, and a 2.5-liter Atkinson-Cycle engine and electric motor and you have pretty much the same car. The key difference is that one is called the Fusion Sport and a standard-powered vehicle. The second is the Hybrid that draws most of its power from batteries and a far smaller engine. The Sport has a suggested retail priced of $26.795, while the Hybrid has a suggested retail of $28,240. And believe it or not, the difference is only $1,445 in price.

How do the Ford Mustang Safety Ratings Compare to Sedans?

Believe it or not, the Ford Mustang safety ratings are similar to those found in more standard sedans. The reason, simply, is that Ford is using the same chassis for the Fusion and Mustang. Since it has a strong chassis to begin with, the Ford Mustang's safety ratings have been climbing. They easily pass all NHTSA safety tests, but also pass safety tests run by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). They also test corner strength and angles, but are also using fixed posts for more real world results. Plus, they are testing roof strength, and Mustang is easily passing these tests, too.

Has the New Chevy Cavalier Improved on it's Safety Ratings and Features?

If you were to look at the Chevrolet lineup for 2011, one would have a hard time finding the new Chevy Cavalier, as it was replaced some years ago. Indeed, the Cavalier was replaced in 2005 with the Cobalt. The Cobalt had a run of six years until it was replaced by this year's Chevrolet Cruze. A brand-new model that has drawn favorable reviews versus the ever-popular Honda Civic. So, if one were to ask whether the new Cavalier was an improved version, technically one could say so, because the Cavalier LS is now the Cruze.

Is the Chevy Cavalier LS Sport Safer than other Cavalier Models?

The Chevy Cavalier LS Sport, which disappeared about mid-year 2005, was replaced by the Cobalt. The Cobalt by Cavalier is as safe as the other vehicles in the Cavalier line for the simple reason that one Cavalier is the same as another Cavalier. It would also make very little sense for an automaker to have one part of a popular line be safer than a second piece of the same lineup. Therefore, the simple answer to this question is, no the Cavalier LS Sport Sedan has the same safety standards as the Cavalier LT Sport Sedan.