Parents often seek the safest car options for their teens. The 2016 Chevy Malibu can be relied on as a safe option for those younger drivers evidenced by the brand recently unveiling their Teen Driver technology, providing several functions that help encourage safe driving. The system also allows parents to monitor their child’s driving habits, so even if you’re not in the car, children can still feel like you’re sitting beside them. This technology partners perfectly with the nameplate’s abundant safety features and capabilities.
Of course, the model can appeal to teens for other reasons. As we previously wrote, the Malibu offers enough style, technology, and capabilities to keep any young driver happy. The exterior is sculpted to present an athletic design, meaning your child can impress all of their friends as they drive down the street. The Chevy MyLink system will give them access to a number of useful applications, and the 4G LTE Wi-Fi means their passengers can always stay connected. Of course, the two engine options are both powerful and efficient, so teens can enjoy their fun ride without emptying their pockets at the pump.
For parents, nothing can beat the safety offerings on the 2016 Chevy Malibu. Below, we outline why the mid-size sedan is the perfect choice for your teen driver. That way, when they’ve finally earned their license, you’ll know what car you should be pursuing…
Teen Driver Technology
While Chevy can appeal to younger drivers with a variety of different offerings, the brand is still focused on providing these teen motorists a safe driving experience. Chevy rolled out their Teen Driver technology in the 2016 Chevy Malibu, delivering a system that will promote safe driving habits while keeping parents at ease.
“It’s a big hit so far,” said Patrick Hernandez, General Motor’s Southeast regional communications manager (via Marco Santana of The Orlando Sentinel). “Parents can better educate their young drivers and help them learn to create good driving habits.”
The Malibu delivers an array of functions and capabilities that will inspire younger drivers to focus on safe driving. For instance, the vehicle’s radio (or any other audio) will not activate until the front passengers have fastened their seatbelts. Furthermore, the speakers can be set to a maximum volume, and any accompanying active safety features will automatically be activated upon operation of the vehicle.
Mom and dad will appreciate the opportunity to monitor their teen’s driving. Parents can set a number of pre-set restrictions on the Malibu, including a maximum speed, and their child will be alerted via audible and visual alerts whenever they’ve exceeded these limits. The parents need to simply create a private PIN number via the MyLink system, giving them sole ability to configure these various conditions.
“We developed this system so parents could use it as a teaching tool with their kids – they can discuss and reinforce safe driving habits,” said MaryAnn Beebe, General Motors’ safety engineer. “As a mother of two, I know anything that has the potential of keeping one’s family safer is of great value to parents.”
The mid-size car can also compile data on the how far the vehicle traveled, the maximum speed reached by the driver, the number of speed warnings handed out, use of stability and antilock features, and any Forward Collision Alerts or Forward Collision Braking events that occurred during a single trip.
The system does not require a subscription, and it’s standard on the Malibu Premium trim (it’s also available via a Convenience Package-equipped LT model).
Safety Features
As we mentioned earlier, a number of safety capabilities will automatically activate when the Teen Driver mode has been turned on. Each of these functions will play a significant role in keeping the Malibu (and its occupants) out of harm’s way.
The stability control will allow your teen driver to feel like they’re in complete control of their vehicle. While younger drivers may have difficulties adjusting after having accidently swerved, this safety feature will keep the car on its intended route. The Forward Collision Alert will notify the driver when they’re approaching a stationary object at too great a speed, and the Forward Collision Braking or Front Pedestrian Braking will manipulate the brakes if necessary.
If your teen driver has demonstrated hesitation when switching lanes, they’ll be able to relax thanks to the Side Blind Zone Alert. When they’re looking to move over, the system will notify the driver if another vehicle is hidden in the blind spot beside them. The Front and Rear Park Assist will ease the driver into an open parking spot, preventing any small dents or scrapes. Meanwhile, the Rear Cross Traffic Alert will ease them out of that parking space, notifying them of any vehicles that may suddenly cross their path.
The Traction Control will be especially appreciated during the rainy or snowy parts of the year. The system will help your tires retain a solid grip with the road, preventing any unexpected skidding or spinouts. Finally, the Automatic Light Control will provide the optimal amount of illumination for those dark winter roads.
“The first step with this technology is to make sure that all drivers and passengers within the car are safe,” said Steve Majoros, Chevrolet’s marketing director.
The Chevy provides several additional features that aren’t automatically triggered when the Teen Driver mode is activated. The Adaptive Cruise Control will safely put the vehicle in control of operations, maintaining a safe distance from other cars and even applying brakes if necessary.
Protection
In the event of an emergency, the Malibu’s durable body and dependable design will provide occupants with maximum protection. The high-strength steel cage lends a rigid casing for the passengers, and the ten standard air bags will provide padding during a collision. Plus, the air bags are accompanied by an air bag sensing system, meaning the units will be deployed at different speeds depending on the severity of the impact.
If the driver has found themselves in an accident, the built-in sensors will immediately alert an OnStar Advisor. They’ll monitor the situation, and if necessary, they’ll rely on the vehicle’s GPS to send emergency help to the crash scene.
If parents want the safest possible vehicle for their teen driver, they don’t need to look any further than the 2016 Chevy Malibu. The Teen Driver technology and available safety features make the mid-size sedan the optimal choice for your young driver. They can appreciate the technological and mechanical offerings, while you can enjoy the safety amenities (as well as the affordable price tag).
It can be scary sending your child off on his or her first solo drive. With the Chevy Malibu, you can put that anxiety to bed.
