5 Safest Nissan Cars for Teenage Drivers

It’s that time of year when all the kids go back to school. If you’re the parent of a teenager, they might be ready to drive themselves for the first time. One major thing that lingers in the minds of all parents is the safety and wellbeing of their child, so the idea of them driving around alone may be daunting. Teenagers are new on the roads, and often this lack of experience can lead to fender benders and other mishaps.

You may have already done some research about safety and reliability, but we are here to answer the overarching question “Which car is best for teenage drivers?” Luckily, there are a wide array of new safety and driver assistance features available to give them a little extra help, and give you a little more peace of mind.

WHICH SAFETY FEATURES TO LOOK FOR

Don’t worry, our automotive experts have assembled a comprehensive list going through some of the best options for your new driver. Modern technology allows us to be more connected and advanced than ever, and this makes driving increasingly safer for your teenager.

Nissan is offering a variety of innovations such as Blind Spot Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking that will allow new drivers to be more aware of their surroundings and hopefully help them avoid potential accidents. Additionally, Nissan is offering an elevated level of protection through its unique Nissan Safety Shield 360 that offers an expansive array of driver-assist features. Due to the rapid advancement of safety technology, newer models will usually offer more protection than older versions, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t find a used Nissan at a bargain price.

We’re all just trying to look out for our loved ones, and that includes finding them the best starter car for their teenage lifestyle. Here is our list of the 5 safest Nissans for teenage drivers.

NISSAN ALTIMA (2019 OR NEWER)

STARTING AT: $17,000
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The Nissan Altima tops our list for the best picks for teens. The 2019 model of the Nissan Altima was named an IIHS Top Safety pick, as was the 2020 model, receiving top scores on all crash-test categories. This repeated success demonstrates a pattern of safety excellence. The ProPILOT Assist™ system that comes standard starting in 2019 embodies intelligent protection. This feature automatically adjusts the acceleration, braking, and steering based on the current traffic flow. The Rear Automatic Braking paired with the improved Automatic Emergency Braking helps to prevent collisions by automatically applying power to the brakes when the system senses an oncoming collision in either direction.

NISSAN MAXIMA (2020 AND NEWER)

STARTING AT: $34,450
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The Nissan Maxima is also a great pick if you’re looking for a safe and secure sedan, as it received glowing reviews in all crash tests, receiving the title of an IIHS top safety pick for 2020. The 2020 Maxima comes standard with the innovative Safety Shield 360 System. It monitors your drive in front of you, behind you, and on either side for the ultimate protection system for your teen. This system includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection that keeps you and those around you safer by applying force to the brakes if the system senses a pedestrian in your path. Rear Automatic Braking and Rear Cross Traffic Alert help you maneuver more effectively when in reverse by notifying the driver of obstacles in your rear-bound path and engaging the brakes if it senses danger. The Blind Sport Warning helps you to stay more aware of your surroundings on the road. This feature provides audio and visual warnings when another car lingers in your blind spot.

NISSAN SENTRA (2016 OR NEWER)

STARTING AT: $10,990
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The 2016 Nissan Sentra was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, as it received the highest possible scores on every crash-test category, including roof strength. The 2016 year also debuted new headlights that improve nighttime viewing capabilities. Since the 2016 model, Nissan has only improved upon the available safety technology. The newer models of the Sentra have the innovative Nissan Safety Shield 360. This suite of safety features includes a variety of monitors and alerts to help you avoid accidents. It includes features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, which adjusts the cruise control speed settings to match the flow of traffic. It’s perfect for teens who might have a habit of following too closely.

NISSAN ROGUE (2017 OR NEWER)

STARTING AT: $13,400
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The Nissan Rogue is an amazing pick for your teen and was even awarded the title of 2017 Top Safety Pick+, excelling in crash tests. It received the highest possible rating for side-impact crash testing. A particularly unique option is the revolutionary Rear Auto-Braking System that helps you avoid hitting stable objects, such as walls or parked cars, by automatically engaging the brakes when it senses an oncoming obstacle in your path. This feature helps cut down on fender benders and parking lot mishaps that are common for teens.

NISSAN MURANO (2015 OR NEWER)

STARTING AT: $13,800
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Our final pick is the Murano. Starting in 2015, this SUV was picked by the IIHS for its incredible safety capability. The organization particularly praises the optional front crash protection package that includes Forward Emergency Braking. This feature applies additional power to the brakes, helping you slow down faster in the event of an emergency. It helps your young driver react more effectively to oncoming danger, potentially preventing an accident. In a 12 mph crash test, this feature nearly prevented the planned collision, simulating a drive that your teen might have in a parking lot or a neighborhood. Electronic Stability Control also comes standard, which improves the handling and gives the driver more control over the vehicle, making it perfect for teens who are a little rougher with their maneuvering.

FINDING THE SAFEST CAR FOR YOUR TEEN

Nowadays, many of these driver-assist features are available across the board, but these models received particularly exceptional reviews. We chose these Nissans because they combined popular safety features and stellar crash test ratings with practicality. Not only that but all of these options are reasonably priced, so you won’t have to invest too much in a car for a high-risk new driver. There’s something for every budget! Browse our online inventory and see which Nissan best suits your needs. When you find the perfect starter car for your teen, we offer free delivery at no cost to you!