Skip to main content

If you have a teenager who will be driving soon, or you’re shopping for a vehicle for a new driver, there’s a lot to consider. Safety is generally at the top of the list of things to be concerned about, though it can be difficult to figure out what constitutes safety for a teen driver. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Consumer Reports puts out a list of the safest new and used vehicles to buy for teens, but there’s another consideration parents should take into account: teen driver safety programs. Here are 7 auto manufacturer safety systems for teens and the features you’ll get in them. 

A red Kia Sorento Hybrid midsize hybrid SUV is parked.
The Kia Sorento Hybrid | Kia

Honda makes a teen driver safety program

Honda’s suite of safety systems for teen drivers is called Honda Sensing. It comes with a group of important safety features like forward collision warning and lane departure warning. According to Kelley Blue Book, it also comes with a Road Departure Mitigation System. 

Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 comes with most new Ford vehicles 

Another auto manufacturer that comes with a suite of important safety features that teen drivers should have is Ford. Ford’s program is called Co-Pilot 360, and it includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear collision traffic warning. It also has lane departure warning. Most new Ford vehicles come with Co-Pilot 360, and it’s optional in those that don’t. 

Most Nissan SUVs and cars come with a suite of safety features

Nissan has also made its safety systems standard in nearly all of its new vehicles since 2021. It’s called Nissan Safety Shield 360 and it includes some of the most important safety features a person could need. Nissan Safety Shield 360 has forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic warning. It also comes with lane departure warning. 

Hyundai’s teen driver safety program is called SmartSense

If you buy a new Hyundai, look for its suite of safety system known as SmartSense. This includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. It also has rear cross traffic warning and lane departure warning. 

Toyota offers important safety features for teens

Toyota has two suites of safety systems. One is called Safety Sense 2.0, 2.5, and the newer version 3.0. These include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning, to name a few. This comes on many Toyota models, including the Highlander, which is one of the safest new SUVs for teens. Make sure you find out whether your new Toyota comes with Safety Sense 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0. 

Subaru’s safety systems vary 

Subaru’s suite of safety features is called EyeSight, and it varies depending on which vehicle you buy. In general, EyeSight comes with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. You can get EyeSight in most Subaru vehicles except the WRX STI and BRZ.

Kia offers Drive Wise

Kia also has a suite of driving safety systems that are a good idea for teenage drivers. It’s called Drive Wise and it includes forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and rear collision traffic warning. Some Kia vehicles have automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear collision traffic warning.

If you’re looking to buy a new SUV or car for a teenaged driver, looking for one with these safety systems will help make sure that your inexperienced driver stays safer on the roads.

Related

The Safest Used SUVs for Teens Under $25,000