Safer used cars for teen drivers

- KOMO News By Consumer Reports Published: Jun 5, 2015 at 12:35 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 5, 2015 at 12:35 PM PDT Teens are almost three times more likely to be involved in a fatal car accident than drivers who are older. Consumer Reports says it's important to make sure your teen is driving the safest car possible. It's a mistake to buy a very old car for a new teen driver, because it's going to lack some of the very important safety features that might save lives. Most important is electronic stability control, which helps keep drivers from spinning out or rolling over. And side curtain airbags are also critical. They not only provide a cushion, but they also can help keep passengers inside during an accident. Consumer Reports recommends a midsized or a large sedan for teenage drivers. They're lower to the ground, so it makes the vehicles less prone to roll over. And they're easier to maneuver than a big SUV. Consumer Reports combed through its test results and identified 10 used-car options that have the recommended safety features, are reliable, and are under $10,000. They include the 2006 to 2010 Hyundai Sonata non-turbo 4-cylinder,  the 2009 to 2012 Chevrolet Malibu 4 cylinder and the 2009 to 2013 Mazda 6i.