Teen angst
Aaah teenagers... they are loud and brash, messy and forgetful, and will most likely eat everything in the house that can't move or defend itself. We often times wish that they'd just grow up, or go back to being the fantastic little kiddos that they once were.
It's easy to forget that we were once teenagers ourselves, and that they are indeed going through many of their own issues - some very similar to the ones we faced, and others that are completely new and alien to those of us that are adulting.
Related: The best premium car for families
One of the man questions parents face during this time, is what car they should buy when our children turn into teenagers. Having two of my own, I know where my thoughts lay, but others out there may have other ideas.
After consulting with a group of parents to young teens, we've compiled a list of the cars that were unanimously voted best for the job at hand.
City Hatch
Joyce (38)
My 17-year-old will be driving soon, so we've decided to keep my Hyundai Grand i10 for him so that when he gets his driver's license he will have a small dependable car. I am thinking about getting a small crossover like the Hyundai Venue to replace it. The car served us well while he was growing up, but he's far too big to sit in the back now, the boy has long legs!
Crossover
Caitlynn (40)
My two teens (13 and 14) are always fighting over space in the car. I fear that they may have outgrown my old RAV4, and I have to get a bigger car as well, because my husband's Toyota 86 isn't suitable for more than one passenger. We were looking at the new CH-R, but the Corolla Cross is interesting as well.
Mid-Size SUV
Charles (47)
We've had our Hyundai Tucson Sport for a few years now, and my 16-year-old daughter loves it! There's plenty of space to stretch out and charge ports for her phone, so she's super happy. When she starts driving she can have this one, and I'll get myself the sports car that I've always wanted.
Sedan
Martinhus (45)
I am sadly divorced, so I don't need a big car - my Mustang does just fine when I have to go fetch my boy for weekends. Not sure if I'll let him drive it, though. We're looking at helping him get his first car soon, a VW Polo maybe, or perhaps a Suzuki Swift Sport.
Large SUV
Mafumo (41)
We had to get a big car, because we have a big family: 4 kids and a Gogo that need to be picked up and dropped off. My two oldest ones are in that difficult time when they aren't children nor are they adults, so that third row in my Toyota Fortuner is prime space for them.
Double-cab bakkie
Sandra (No age given)
Our Wildtrak has been an absolute blessing for the last two years. My two boys are getting to the age were they are very territorial, and we no longer have the "Hes on my siiiiide!" arguments. We have plenty of space for all the camping gear and their bikes for our weekends away, and those road trips are a breeze with leather seats and plenty of charge points for their phones.
Verdict
The theme here seems to lean towards space and convenience, with many of the teens needing their own space and a charge port for their phone. A few of our respondents also indicated that they would be keeping a smaller car in mind for when the teen begins driving.
