Top 10 Cars for Teens

I like the Ford Focus because it's cheap, cute, and fun to drive, plus it offers the innovative SYNC system, which allows drivers to control their iPod and cell phones with voice commands, and will even read text messages out loud -- meaning the driver can keep his or her eyes on the road where they belong. The Focus comes with a full complement of airbags as standard. Antilock brakes and electronic stability control come bundled together for $745; this is an absolute must-have package for young drivers. Teens will probably gravitate towards the sporty two-door Focus coupe; unlike most compact coupes, it offers just as much back seat and trunk space as the four-door version.

I've always said that you can't go wrong with a Civic: It's extremely fuel efficient and will last forever if well cared for. Antilock brakes, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags are standard on all Civic models, but unfortunately electronic stability control is only available on the priciest versions, the EX-L and the Hybrid. The Civic has a body shell designed to withstand an impact with a heavier vehicle, with two-doors receiving extra bracing for side impacts. Civic is available as a jazzy 2-door coupe or sensible 4-door sedan; the budget-friendly LX and DX-VP models offer the best value-for-money. NOTE: For young drivers, the hot-rod Civic Si version should be avoided -- it's a speeding ticket waiting to happen.

Besides being practical, fuel-efficient, easy to drive, and really cool to look at, the 2009 Fit is strong on safety: Six airbags and antilock brakes come standard, and, like the Civic, the Fit's body shell is specifically designed to survive a collision with a bigger, heavier vehicle. The Fit can be had with electronic stability control (ESC; Honda calls it VSA) and navigation; they aren't cheap, but the first is a must-have and the second is a good-to-have for inexperienced drivers. For budding young stick-shifters, the Fit has an excellent manual transmission. NOTE: 2007 and '08 Fits do not offer ESC or the tougher body shell, so stick to '09 or '10 models for young drivers.

Car crashes are the number one killer of teens in America, so it's refreshing to see a car that encourages drivers to take it slow and easy. The Insight's video-game-like dash provides positive feedback for going easy on the gas and easy on the brakes. It's designed to coach drivers into getting better fuel economy -- the Insight is, after all, a hybrid -- but it also reinforces good habits for young and inexperienced drivers. Despite its high-MPG mission, the Insight is good fun to drive; it's also safe, easy to park, and reasonably practical. And at $20,520, it's the least-expensive hybrid you can buy -- although I'd recommend the $22,010 Insight EX for teen drivers, as the lower-priced LX lacks electronic stability control.

You're probably thinking the new-for-2010 Kia Forte is on this list because it's cheap -- and yes, that's half the reason, but the other half is that it's a really great car, probably the best Kia has ever made. Young'uns will like the Forte's style, space and spunk, while parents will like that it comes with six airbags, antilock brakes and electronic stability control as standard. Good visibility, simple controls and clearly-marked instruments make it a great match for inexperienced drivers. Fortes start under $14,500, and you can get a Forge EX with power everything, air conditioning, and an automatic transmission for under $17,500 -- much less than a comparably-equipped Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla.

The Versa is a veteran of this list, and to be honest, I'm having mixed feelings about keeping it. On the one hand, the Versa is a heck of a bargain: Pricing starts at $10,710 -- you'll also want to spend the extra $250 for antilock brakes (ABS) -- and you can get one with air conditioning, power windows and locks, an automatic transmission, and ABS for just over $16k. It's also hugely practical, with lots of cabin space hiding inside its bulbous body. So why the misgivings? The Versa is one of the few cars on this list that lacks electronic stability control, even as an option. With so many cars now offering ESC, there's little reason to put your teen on the road without it. Shame, because aside from that, the Versa is one of my faves.

With GM planning to close down the Pontiac division in 2010, its unclear how long the Vibe will be available -- but I'd get one while you can. The Pontiac Vibe is a great car for people of all ages, but it's especially well suited to young drivers because it comes standard with with six airbags, antilock brakes, and electronic stability control. The Vibe is even available with all-wheel-drive, which offers better accident-avoidance behavior as well as superior traction in rain and snow (and on dry roads, too). The Vibe is good looking, easy to park, and it has plenty of room to bring along friends -- plus its hard-plastic-lined cargo bay makes it a great cargo hauler.

Research shows that the number of teen passengers in a car increases the chances of an accident -- so a two-seater like the Smart Fortwo makes sense. Statistics aside, the Fortwo is a smart choice (pun intended) -- it's inexpensive, good on gas, easy to drive, and comes packed with standard safety features, including front and side airbags, antilock brakes, and electronic stability control. Its 70 horsepower engine has enough power for merging onto the freeway but not enough to get young drivers into serious trouble. And it's so unique (and cute) that it's bound to do wonders for your kid's popularity. NOTE: If you live where it's windy, the Smart Fortwo isn't the best choice, as it gets blown around by crosswinds more than most small cars.

The Subaru Impreza 2.5i first made this list in 2008 because it was (and still is) the only car in its class to offer standard all-wheel-drive (AWD), an important and oft-overlooked safety feature that helps the car grip the road whether the pavement is wet or dry. In 2009, Subaru sweetened the safety deal by making electronic stability control standard. Obviously, AWD and ESC are not substitutes for careful driving, but they drastically reduce your teen driver's chances of losing control in an emergency. NOTE: The Impreza 2.5i should not be confused with the Impreza WRX, STI, and 2.5 GT; these are fast, high-performance cars designed for older, more experienced drivers.

Why do I love the SX4? Let me count the ways. First of all it's cute and cheeky, and its cartoonish shape yields a spacious interior with lots of headroom. The spunky 2-liter engine and nimble handling make it good fun to drive. And it offers optional all-wheel-drive, a boon in snowy climates. All SX4s get lots of airbags and antilock brakes as standard, and it has good crash test scores. My only complaints: Fuel economy is far from best-in-class, and electronic stability control is only offered on select models. Still, it's a great little car.