Parents of a New Teen Driver? The Nissan Altima is Here to Help

The process of choosing a car for your new teen driver can be a head-spinning task for parents. While it might seem like they were just getting the training wheels taken off their bicycle yesterday, nothing pulls you back to reality like seeing your child’s face on a driver’s license. They’re all grown up, and the time has come to figure out how to get them on the road in the safest way possible. There is no shortage of entry-level vehicles aimed at this demographic, but not all are created equal, and when you want something safe, you need to visit your Nissan Altima dealership. With a longstanding reputation for safety and top honors from industry safety experts, Newton Nissan South is proud to offer the 2021 Nissan Altima as a safe, stylish option that both parents and kids can agree on.

Too often, a new driver’s first car happens to be whatever the family has lying around. While there’s nothing wrong with the late-model rustbucket that’s been gathering dust in the garage since an older sibling went to college, it’s hardly the most reliable, stylish, or safest option for your nascent teen driver. Alternatively, a family might look at some of the cheaper models on the market, seeing a first car as a sort of no-frills proving ground for new drivers, but again, there are some very real pitfalls to avoid here.

“It can be tempting to buy a tiny, bare-bones model for a teenager,” says David Harkey, President of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “But we know that teenagers are among the riskiest drivers, so it’s important not to skimp on safety. Spending a bit more for state-of-the-art crash protection and crash avoidance features is a worthy investment in your child’s future.”

Earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a 5-Star Overall Safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Nissan Altima’s safety superlatives are without question. All drivers should take note of these types of industry recognition, but they’re especially relevant when it comes to a teen driver demographic that has a crash rate nearly four times higher than that of drivers over 20 and older. With an impressive list of leading safety features offered standard on every trim level, the 2021 Nissan Altima will give parents the peace of mind of knowing that no matter what they’re getting up to, their teen drivers are learning the rules of the road in one of the safest options around.

Putting Safety First

Starting at around $24,000, the 2021 Nissan Altima hits the sweet spot between affordability and safety. This price includes a number of driver safety options that would typically come at a premium on some other mid-size sedans, earning the Altima a reputation as a car that puts safety at the forefront. Known as Nissan Safety Shield 360, this comprehensive driver safety suite includes standard features like a rearview camera, Lane Departure Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, and High Beam Assist.

The Altima’s suite of safety features helps to address one of the most widespread problems for teen drivers: distracted driving. 58 percent of crashes involving new drivers were caused by distracted driving, according to a 2015 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, with passenger interaction and cell phone usage being two of the leading factors. Parents can take comfort from the fact that the Altima’s automated safeguards will be there when they’re needed most.

In addition to anti-lock brakes, two distinct safety systems ensure inexperienced drivers will be ready for whatever the road throws at them. With Vehicle Dynamic Control, the Altima is able to adjust engine power and apply brakes to specific wheels when it detects oversteer or understeer. The Altima’s Traction Control System gauges wheelspin, decreasing the throttle when traction starts to slip and allowing drivers to quickly and safely regain control.

One of the Altima’s most innovative standard safety features is Intelligent Driver Alertness, which monitors steering patterns as a means of gauging a driver’s attentiveness. When the system detects sluggish turning inputs or subtle drifting, it alerts the driver with a chime, a subtle reminder to refocus on the road or take a break. The Altima’s Intelligent Forward Collision Warning is another automated feature that helps to address distracted driving, monitoring speed and distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you and offering a warning when it detects sudden deceleration.

Those seeking added protection have a number of available advanced safety features to choose from. These include the expected like Blind Spot Warning, rear parking sensors, and Adaptive Cruise Control, to the cutting-edge, like Reverse Automatic Emergency Braking, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Traffic Sign Recognition. Using its full complement of dash-mounted cameras, the Altima is able to monitor traffic signs, including speed limit warnings, as you drive, ensuring you’ll never run afoul of traffic laws and providing valuable peace of mind.

Ask any student driver about the most-feared aspect of their driving test, and you’re sure to get the same answer nine times out of ten: parallel parking. With the Altima’s available Intelligent Around View Monitor, such parking anxiety is a thing of the past. The Altima’s front, rear, and side-view cameras work together to give the driver an overhead composite view of their parking situation, making it easier than ever to squeeze into tight spaces without the tried-and-true “reverse until you bump into something” method. For a generation that grew up with a video game controller in their hands, this familiar third-person perspective gives teen drivers a new level of comfort and confidence when it comes to parking.

Just the Right Amount of Power

A comprehensive slate of safety features is just one of the things that makes the Nissan Altima the ideal car for teen drivers. While the Altima isn’t the most powerful vehicle in its class, parents will likely appreciate the limits this imposes. The base model features a four-cylinder engine capable of producing 188 horsepower, giving the Altima enough power to get new drivers from point A to point B but not enough to get them in trouble along the way.

The 2.5-liter engine also has the added benefit of efficiency, with the front-wheel drive model offering an EPA-estimated 28 MPG city and as much as 39 MPG highway. This will be welcomed news to cash-strapped teens, who are typically eager to cruise around but short on pocket money. The all-wheel drive Altima is respectable in its own right, with 26 MPG city and 36 MPG highway.

Still Plenty of Tech to Enjoy

On the technology side, the NissanConnect infotainment system gives new drivers one less excuse to be on their phones. The Altima comes standard with a 7-inch touch screen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, and satellite radio, providing ample entertainment options while leaving hands free to focus on driving. Available upgrades include a larger touch screen, navigation, and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, allowing drivers to control their iOS on Android devices right from the Altima’s dashboard touch screen.

With plenty of features to prevent and minimize traffic accidents and keep insurance rates down, the Altima is among the most affordable and safest ways to get your kids on the road. Come down to Newton Nissan South with your new teen driver and check out our wide selection of 2021 Altimas today.