Eight Subaru Models Make IIHS and Consumer Reports Teen Vehicles Recommendation List

Centennial Subaru is happy to pass on the news that eight Subaru models have been recommended in a combined study by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports as Top Choices for teen drivers among both new and used vehicles. Both of these highly respected organizations have praised Subaru before. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru as the best mainstream automotive brand designating Ascent, Impreza, Legacy, and Outback as recommended models, and named the Forester as a Top Pick for the past ten years. IIHS focuses primarily on vehicle impact safety, and based on their tests, Subaru has earned more of their Top Safety Pick+ awards (their highest award) than any other brand for the last ten years. 

The teen vehicle recommendations are based on a comprehensive evaluation by both institutes. Criteria included:

• Vehicle type
• Size
• Reliability
• Emergency handling
• Braking distance performance
• Safety ratings
• Insurance claim rates.
  

Recommended Used Models

These are the used Subaru models designated at Best Choices by the two organizations:

• Subaru Impreza sedan or 5-door (2018, 2022)
• Subaru Legacy (2013-2021: built after August 2012)
• Subaru Outback (2015-2018, 2022)
• Subaru Forester (2018 or newer)

Here are the qualifications these and all other models on the Best recommendation list had to meet:

• Electronic stability control
• Above-average reliability: For a majority of the years listed, based on CR’s member surveys.
• Average or better scores from CR’s emergency handling tests
• Dry braking distances of less than 145 feet from 60 mph: In CR’s brake tests.
• Good ratings in four IIHS crashworthiness tests: moderate-overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints
• Four or five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) if rated
• A good or acceptable rating in the IIHS driver’s-side small-overlap front crash test
• Average or lower Insurance Claim Rates: Including medical payment, personal injury protection, or bodily injury liability coverage

Recommended New Models

The new (2023) Subaru models recommended for teens are:

• Subaru Ascent
• Subaru Forester
• Subaru Legacy
• Subaru Outback

These are the qualifications required for new vehicles to be on the recommendation list: 

• A Consumer Reports recommendation: This is a general (not teen-related) recommendation after a road test review. 
• Good ratings in four IIHS crashworthiness tests: Moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints.
• Standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems.
• Average or better scores from CR’s emergency handling tests.
• Dry braking distances of less than 140 feet from 60 mp: In CR’s brake tests.
• A curb weight over 2,750 pounds:  Because small, light vehicles don’t provide enough protection in multiple-vehicle crashes. 
• An IIHS designation as either a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick Plus 
• A mid-level or better rating by CR for controls that are easy to use.
• Four or five stars from the NHTSA: If rated.

Two vehicle categories that were not considered as best for teens include:

• Large SUVs because they can be hard to handle and often have long braking distances. 
• Sports cars because they can encourage dangerous driving.

“We are thrilled to have eight of our vehicles recommended for teen drivers by IIHS and Consumer Reports this year. Safety has always been a top priority for Subaru, and we continuously work to enhance the safety features and performance of our vehicles,“ said Jeff Walters, President and Chief Operating Officer, of Subaru of America, Inc. “These recommendations reinforce our commitment to providing reliable and safe transportation options for new and experienced drivers alike.”

While the focus of this study was on teen and young drivers, the criteria can be considered relevant for anyone seeking a safe, reliable, and well-recommended car. So if you are looking for such a vehicle for a teen or anyone else in your family, you will find all of the recommended new models and often many of the used Subaru models listed above in the Centennial Subaru inventory.