CarMax and Driver’s Edge’s Top Ten Car Picks for Students

CarMax and Driver’s Edge have collaborated to choose the top ten car picks for students. CarMax has been on the market for several years and is also known because of its accuracy in delivering news and information about cars. Driver’s Edge for its part is a profitable organization that handles young driver’s education.

Autochannel.com reports that both decided to make a list of the top ten students car by means of rating them in terms of safety and reliability. Another important factor is that the Anti-Locked Brake system must be available as a standard factory installed equipment. Both groups used the following criteria in choosing the vehicles:

1) Each of the selected models scored at least a four star rating from NHTSA for both frontal and side impact protection in each of the last four years. Exceptions are the Dodge Caliber and the Pontiac G6, each of which have only been available since 2007 and 2006, respectively.
2) Each car offers an array of active safety features as either standard or optional equipment (e.g., anti-lock braking systems, electronic stability control, traction control, etc.).
3) Cost, reliability, and vehicle styling have been considered, but safety considerations weighed more heavily in determining the cars to recommend.

Here is the list:

-- Audi A4
-- Dodge Caliber (models with optional ABS)
-- Honda Civic
-- Hyundai Sonata
-- Kia Optima (models with optional ABS)
-- Pontiac G6 (coupe or sedan with optional ABS)
-- Toyota Corolla (models with optional ABS)
-- Volkswagen Jetta
-- Volkswagen Passat
-- Volvo S40 (four door sedan)

The list is filled with Japanese cars; only five cars are European made and the one from US.