Teenagers are among the highest risk drivers. Inexperience and social pressures make the need for safer and more reliable vehicles an absolute necessity for young drivers. On average teen drivers are nearly four times as likely to get into a crash, according to Consumer Reports. It is necessary to put young drivers in a safe and reliable vehicle. Maybe the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek is the right one for your teen.

All too often, parents of new drivers tend to pass down older family vehicles or buy a cheaper base model to avoid pricy repairs. Understanding this is often out of necessity, there are starting to be more options for safe and reliable vehicles that might actually save you money in the long run.  

What qualifies as a good car for a teen?

As reported by Consumer Reports, the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek meets the long list of criteria for what makes a good car for a teen driver. That list is comprised of necessary features that must be present and a series of safety and reliability tests. According to Consumer Reports surveys, the cars have to meet “above average” reliability ratings. Cars must also have Electronic Stability Control, which controls the braking of each individual wheel to maintain the driver’s intended direction.

Other necessary criteria include a dry braking distance of under 145 feet, good ratings from the IIHS “crashworthiness” tests, and at least four stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

The Subaru Crosstrek’s specs

The Subaru Crosstrek got an overhaul in 2018 updating many features and specs across the board. MotorTrend reports the 2018 Crosstrek has the same 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder engine from the Impreza, which makes 152 hp. The base model comes with a six-speed manual as standard, but the CVT automatic is also available. The 8.7-inch clearance along with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive makes the Subaru Crosstrek well-suited not only for curb hoping teens, but also snow, dirt, and gravel, as reported by MotorTrend.

The list of features extends beyond just safety and performance. There are even some flashes of comfort and luxury to be found. MotorTrend reports the base model 2018 Subaru Crosstrek comes with a 6.5-inch infotainment screen, roof rails, and 17-inch wheels. They go on to say that if you shell out for the higher-end models, you get daytime running lights, 18-inch wheels, steering-responsive headlights, an 8-inch screen, and leather upholstery with orange accent stitching. Not so bad for a first car, eh?

Safety features

The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek is no slouch in the tech department either. The 2018 model comes with a suite of driver-assist features called EyeSight. MotorTrend reports that the EyeSight system includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning with sway warning, and lane-keep assist.

These features can be helpful to a young driver learning good driving habits. Lane keep assist and pre-collision braking offers a slight buffer for mistakes and reminders to check one’s surroundings. Considering a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek can be found for less than $20,000, you are getting a decent bit of car here.

Related: Is the Subaru Crosstrek More Capable than a Land Rover Defender?

Young drivers might be more prone to accidents and vehicle mishaps, but yours doesn’t have to be. Maybe with the slew of modern safety features and sensors available in cars today, we might see those statistics start to drop.