Finding a Safe Car for Your Teen Is Easier with Help from Experts

May 14th, 2025 by

Scoring their own set of wheels is still a goal for many teenagers, particularly in areas like ours where important locations (school, home, sports) aren’t always within close proximity. So parents have some tough choices when it comes to getting both affordable and safe vehicles. Used (we call them “pre-owned”) cars are often the best options available, and Volkswagen of Fairfield has you covered with some excellent choices.

One great guide to safe pre-owned vehicles is issued annually by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety in cooperation with Consumer Reports, the respected independent testing and reviewing organization. 

“Safe Cars for Teenagers” offers seven vetted pre-owned Volkswagen models:

Good VW Choices

  • Volkswagen Golf (2015-21) – Small cars
  • Volkswagen Golf Alltrack (2017-19) – Small cars
  • Volkswagen Golf SportWagen (2015-19) 
  • Volkswagen Jetta (2015 or newer) – Midsized cars
  • Volkswagen Passat (2016-22) – Midsized cars
  • Volkswagen Tiguan (2018-21) – Midsized SUVs 

Best VW Choice

  • Volkswagen Tiguan (2022 or newer) – Midsized SUVs

The Safest for Teens list only included vehicles produced after 2012 when federal safety regulations mandated Electronic Stability Controls. When new, they all earned top ratings in IIHS tests: three crash tests, roof crush resistance and the ability of headrests to control head movement in a crash. Consumer Reports looked at routine and emergency handling and braking and assessed the controls and displays for usability and capacity to distract. All vehicles had to have loud and persistent sounds signaling the need to buckle their seatbelts. 

No-goes included very large or heavy vehicles, too light vehicles and vehicles too powerful related to their size. 

The Safe Cars for Teens list is a useful guide for parents who put safety for their young drivers topmost. Volkswagen of Fairfield client advisors are ready to help you find just the right pre-owned or certified pre-owned VW for the teen driver in your family. 

Posted in Automotive