Choosing a vehicle with a more sedate image reduces the chances your teen will be involved in a speed-related crash. Do not let your teen drive an unstable vehicle. Sport utility vehicles, especially the smaller ones, are inherently less stable than cars because of their higher center of gravity. A more stable car would, at worst, skid or spin out. Don't let your teen drive a small vehicle.
Small vehicles offer much less protection in crashes than larger ones.
However, this doesn't mean you should put your child in the largest vehicle you can find. Check out the safety ratings for mid-size and larger cars. Avoid older vehicles. Most of today's cars are better designed for crash protection than cars of six to ten years ago. For example, a newer mid-size car with air bags would be a better choice than an older, larger car without air bags.