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Keep Your Teen Driver Safe with Electronic Stability Control
By : Sheryll Alexander
Date : 10/27/2009

Did you know car accidents are the number one killer of America’s teenagers? That’s a pretty sobering statistic to parents. So what can a concerned parent do? Steve Mazor, an automotive research center manager for the Auto Club of America (AAA), says the best vehicles to buy teens are four-cylinder engine cars with an automatic transmission, anti-lock brakes (ABS) and top safety scores in crash tests.

However, I believe you need to include electronic stability control (ESC) when buying a car for your teen. Why is ESC so important? Because ESC can literally save your teen’s life. In fact, ESC is so important to safety that the federal government has made ESC standard equipment on all cars starting with 2011 models.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration estimates ESC will reduce crashes by as much as 34% (59% for SUVs with a great reduction in rollovers). The exciting part is this: ESC will save between 5,000-9,000 lives and prevent around 200,000 injuries (once all light vehicles on the road are equipped with ESC).

That’s a lot of lives saved and injuries prevented! Wow! See, why you need to make sure your teens 2009-2010 car has ESC?

ESC helps drivers from losing control or going off the road. How? ESC is super complex and uses a web of algorithms, software and sensors to create one of the most life-saving technological advances since the seat belt and air bags.

Need some recommendations on four-cylinder cars with automatic transmission, anti-lock brakes, top safety scores and optional ESC? Here’s my list of top cars for teens:

The redesigned 2010 Mazda MAZDA3 is sporty enough for teens and affordable enough for mom and dad with its low price tag, sophisticated modern design, exhilarating zoom-zoom performance, advanced safety features and top safety scores. Plus, the 2010 MAZDA3 has top notch fuel economy at 33 mpg hwy and 25 mpg city.
All Subaru vehicles come with incomparable all-wheel-drive technology. So, the 2010 Subaru Legacy sedan is a great choice for teens who need to drive in bad weather. The Legacy also comes with lots of standard features, Subaru’s excellent performance, advanced safety technology, top safety marks, lots of room and good fuel economy.
The 2009 Suzuki SX4 Crossover is a good buy for parents with its low price, standard navigation, zippy performance, ergonomic interior, excellent safety and lots of cargo room. If your teen needs all-wheel-drive vehicle for inclement weather, go for the Suzuki SX4 Crossover, which comes as a five-door hatchback model.
Teens love Mitsubishi’s Lancer models because these mid-sized sedans are so sporty and cool. The 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer delivers high-level performance, sports-minded styling, rather good fuel economy, advanced safety features and top safety marks.
Scion just builds great cars with lots of flexibility, zippy performance, lots of teen-friendly technology and advanced safety features at an affordable price. The 2010 Scion xD urban subcompact is a good choice for teens and their parents.
The 2010 Ford Fusion may be a bit boring for your teen, but this sedan has form and function at a low price, excellent fuel economy (41 mpg city, 36 mpg hwy), a roomy and comfortable interior with quality materials and seriously fun performance. Plus, teens will absolutely LOVE Ford’s way cool SYNC connectivity system.
Teens love individuality and the 2010 Kia Soul brings a quirky personality to this very versatile five-seater hatchback. For those who are into truly modern design at a low price, the 2010 Kia Soul is a wonder with its brash styling, fun-to-drive performance, highly customizable interior and exterior, advanced safety features and top safety marks.
Cash-strapped parents will be happy to discover the 2010 Nissan Versa is still the lowest-priced new car on the market today. For 2010, the exterior has been delightfully refreshed and there’s added safety features. For less than $10,000, you can own a new car with Nissan’s top quality, great fuel economy (34 mpg hwy, 28 mpg city) and rather zippy performance.
Got an environmentally-minded teen? The 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI is hot in Europe and for good reason since diesel fuel now has gained ultra clean emissions and lost that noisy ping-ping sound. The 2010 VW Golf TDI offers seriously great fuel economy (estimated 41 combined mpg), safety, performance, quality and design.

Keep your teens safe, America! Buy them ESC!

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif. Follow me! @sheryllalexande

Top Five Boxy Toy Cars of 2009-2010
By : Sheryll Alexander
Date : 10/23/2009

Urban vehicles from Scion and Honda as well as newcomers Nissan and Kia are just super fun to own and drive. Why are these boxy and toy cars so popular?

First off, I believe building and marketing these cars to a younger market gives these truly modern rides more versatility, fuel economy, safety and signature style options.

Next, make sure you are willing to possibly sacrifice performance for funky, kooky or super functional design. While some of these boxy cars are super fun to drive, others aren’t so racy.

Plus, the hatchback design of boxy cars make them the perfect alternative to a sporty wagon, a boring family CUV, your father’s sedan or a subcompact dud.

Ready to drive a box or toy car? Take a ride here with my list of Top Five Boxy Toy Cars of 2009-2010:

No. 1: 2010 Scion xB
Not much has changed from the cool 2009 to next year’s 2010 Scion model except a better standard audio system and improved integrated technology. The 2010 Scion xB now comes standard with a six-speaker, 160-watt Pioneer audio system, which includes AM, FM, CD, USB, iPod, iPhone and USB connectivity. The system’s “advanced sound retriever” (ASR) has a subwoofer with RCA output. What could be better? The 2009 Scion xB was one of my most favorite cars to drive because of its versatility, overall excellent design and smooth performance. The second generation 2009 and 2010 models mark a more rounded shape to this boxy ride, but the curves just add to the Scion xB’s stylish good looks. As with all Scions, the 2009-2010 Scion xB can come equipment with factory tested, approved, installed and guaranteed interior, exterior and Toyota Racing Development performance accessories.
Base MSRP: $15,750
Fuel Economy: 28 hwy, 22 city
Safety: Four star NHTSA rating for driver crash test
No. 2: 2009-2010 Honda Element
The Honda Element has been credited with helping start the “boxy” movement. Like the Scion xB, the Honda Element is has excellent overall marks, especially in versatility and safety. The 2010 Honda Element comes with an all-new “pet accommodation” system. Made especially for dogs and their owners, the equipment was designed specifically to fit inside the Element EX. Some of the equipment includes a nylon-webbed car kennel, secure restraints, an easy-to-clean rubber floor, soft floor mats, a fan, a spill-resistant water source and an extendable ramp.
Base MSRP: $20,275
Fuel Economy: 25 hwy, 20 city
Safety: Five star NHTSA rating for driver crash test
No. 3: 2009 Nissan Cube
Although the exterior of the 2009 Nissan Cube looks like an English cab on acid, there is still lots to love about this ultra stylish CUV. Frankly, the 2009 Nissan Cube has it all: super cool design inside and out, excellent overall performance, a super fun drive, rather good safety marks, incredible versatility and lots of standard features. Yes, the 2009 Nissan Cube is a wonder of seemingly crazy design that all works together to create one really cool-looking ride. Like Scion, the Nissan Cube also has a bevy of factory built and guaranteed accessories to customize your Cube both inside and out.
Base MSRP: $13,990
Fuel Economy: 30 mpg hwy
Safety: Four star NHTSA rating for driver crash test
No. 4: 2010 Scion xD
The 2009-2010 Scion xD looks like a super cool station wagon with its four doors and hefty hatchback. Plus, it comes with fun-to-drive performance, cool technology, versatile cargo room, lots of standard features and the ability to customize using factory-built (and guaranteed) accessories at the dealership. The 2009 and 2010 Scion xD models are practically the same except the 2010 model comes with Scion xB’s aforementioned upgraded sound system and integrated technology.
Base MSRP: $14,800
Fuel Economy: 33 mpg hwy
Safety: Four star NHTSA rating for driver crash test
No. 5: 2010 Kia Soul
The 2010 Kia Soul looks almost like a toy car, yet this cool car has some good power and some overall good driving dynamics except for rather anemic acceleration even on the Sport model. The interior of the 2010 Kia Soul is not only funky and groovy, but definitely pleasing to the eye and ergonomically correct as well. Cargo space in the hatchback trunk, however, isn’t huge.
Base MSRP: $13,300
Fuel Economy:
Safety: Five star NHTSA rating for driver crash test

Boxy and toy cars are really cute, really funky and really versatile. And, they can be really fun to drive. Just make sure you road test them all before buying!

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif. Follow me! @sheryllalexande

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