AAA Reveals 10 Best Green Cars for Teen Drivers

AAA revealed its 10 best green cars for teen drivers during National Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 21 to 27, 2018. The list was compiled using  factors as four-cylinder engines, high crash-test scores and high gas mileage.

During National Teen Driver Safety Week, AAA Hawaiʻi reminds teens who drive and their parents who supervise them to review what it means to be a safe and responsible driver since car crashes are the number one cause of death and injury for teenagers.

AAA advises parents to urge their teens on no alcohol use, “intexticated” driving and advocate seat belt use.

The green car list was also compiled to help Hawaiʻi’s families choose a safe vehicle and plan for an all-electric and environmentally sustainable future.

“When car shopping for your teen, avoid cars with a lot of horsepower, which encourage teens to speed, and large SUVs, which can roll over more easily,” said Megan McKernan, manager of the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center (ARC), which shares insights with AAA Hawaiʻi. “Instead consider a midsize green sedan or a compact/midsize crossover with a four-cylinder engine, automatic transmission and high crash-test scores from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Many vehicles on the research center’s top ten green car list are hybrids, which will help to save gasoline and reduce emissions.”

A four-cylinder engine limits a car’s ability to accelerate, gets better fuel economy and produces less pollution. Automatic transmissions are easier to drive and allow a novice to focus on steering, proper speed and braking. Crash-test scores are from NHTSA’s website. The ARC only selected vehicles that scored a maximum five stars overall. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) listed is for base-model vehicles with automatic transmissions.

2018 AAA Green Car Guide 10 Best Green Cars for Teens

Year, Make Model, MSRP

2018, Honda Accord Touring, $34,690
2018, Toyota Camry SE Hybrid, $33,988
2017, Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Ltd., $31,460
2017, Honda Accord Hybrid Touring, $36,790
2017, Kia Optima Hybrid EX, $36,840
2017, Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, $32,730
2017, Honda CR-V1.ST AWD Touring, $34,595
2017, Ford Fusion Energi Titanium, $37,890
2018, Subaru Outback Limited AWD, $35,695
2018, Subaru Crosstrek Premium, $26,905

The ARC’s 2018 list of 10 Best Green Cars for Teens are included in the more comprehensive AAA Green Car Guide. The list can help guide parents with buying or leasing a vehicle for their teen driver or determining which existing family car to let their novice driver use.

More information can be found online.