According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, teens have nearly four times higher crash rates than older drivers. So, when they are looking for their first vehicle or their parents are looking to buy them one, safety is often of the utmost importance. That is why Consumer Reports and the IIHS joined forces recently to make a list of recommended used vehicles for teens. The Chevrolet Equinox was near the top of the list. 

The criteria for the list of contenders

The list is broken down in the Best Choice, and Good Choices. In the report released on Thursday, Consumer Reports and IIHS said, “Our goal is to make it even easier for young drivers or their parents to find a vehicle that checks all the boxes for safety, performance, and reliability.” So, crash testing results were taken into consideration. Reliability ratings, emergency handling ratings, and braking distances were also considered. Every vehicle tested had to have standard electronic stability control.

Why used cars?

For this list, it was taken into consideration that teens and their parents are usually on a tight budget when looking for a suitable car. So, the report is geared towards used vehicles. Consequently, there are used prices beginning as low as $5,300, but capped at $20,000 as provided by Kelley Blue Book. Regarding the choice to look at used vehicles, IIHS said,

“In a national phone survey conducted for IIHS of parents of teen drivers, 83 percent of those who bought a vehicle for their teenagers said they bought it used.”

2016 and newer Chevrolet Equinox models

The 2016 or newer Chevrolet Equinox models came in on the list of Best Choices, Small SUV. The average used price for the Equinox came in at $12,100. Of course, before going out and buying an example, the IIHS encourages people to research whether a recall has been initiated on any vehicle. 

The 2016 model year

According to Kelley Blue Book, the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder. That powerplant was rated at 182 horsepower and achieved 26 miles-per-gallon. A V6 is available as well, rated at 301 horsepower. Both choices were available for either front-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive. The basest trim level was the L. It came with traction control, four-wheel ABS, and hill-start assist control. The top-level LTZ trim could have been upgraded to include blind-spot alert, backup camera, parking assist, and lane-departure alert systems. The Equinox also had a roomy rear seat as a plus. But as a minus, no Android Auto or Apple Carplay were available.

Finding the right choice for a first vehicle for a teen in the household can be a bit terrifying. The feeling of terror, however, can subside somewhat as people research safety features of different cars. But that can be an overwhelming task. Thankfully, the IIHS and Consumer Reports have done a lot of the leg work already. The Chevrolet Equinox has achieved a “Best Choice” selection for teens. That should put a lot of parental minds at ease.