"It’s pretty tough to come up with a list of cars that will satisfy both parents and students," said Steve Tepper, chief operating officer of Driver’s Edge. "Issues of looks, cost, safety, and performance don’t always line up, but there are some great cars out there that fit the bill safety-wise while still being a cool car to drive."

"Typically, parents' top priorities when looking for a vehicle for their student are price, reliability, and safety, while young people may be more interested in style, features, and performance," said Ron Costa, regional vice president of purchasing for CarMax. "We recommend conducting online vehicle research first and then finding a car retailer that provides a transparent, customer-friendly, and easy car buying process."

This year’s top cars recommended for college students that fulfill both the parents’ safety and reliability demands and the young drivers’ requirements for looks and performance include (In alphabetical order by manufacturer. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is standard unless otherwise noted):

• 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)

"When deciding on a vehicle for a young driver, safety has to be a top consideration," said Jeff Payne, president and founder of Driver’s Edge. "Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death for people under 24, outnumbering the combined deaths resulting from drug use, guns, and other violence." Driver’s Edge recommends that parents review crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) when considering any vehicle, along with the advice and ratings of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The cars on the list are recommended only for drivers who have at least two years of practical driving experience. (Smaller cars would not be on a list of cars recommended for true novice drivers.) Driver’s Edge and CarMax used the following criteria to select the recommended cars:

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.

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.).

Cost, reliability, and vehicle styling have been considered, but safety considerations weighed more heavily in determining the cars to recommend.

"It’s not just about choosing the ‘right’ car," Payne said. "There is no five-star rating or safety device that can take the place of a well educated driver. A lousy driver can make even the safest of vehicles a bad place to be. That’s why we also recommend that all drivers seek out the proper training and learn the skills needed to help them stay safer on the highways, whether it’s attending a Driver’s Edge event or investing in a quality performance driving school."

CarMax, a FORTUNE 500 company and one of the FORTUNE 2007 "100 Best Companies to Work For," is the nation’s largest retailer of used cars. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., CarMax currently operates 81 used car superstores in 38 markets. The CarMax consumer offer is structured around four core equities: low, no-haggle prices; a broad selection; high quality vehicles; and customer-friendly service. During the twelve months ended February 28, 2007, the company retailed 337,021 used vehicles and sold 208,959 wholesale vehicles at its in-store auctions. For more information, access the CarMax website at www.carmax.com.

Las Vegas-based Driver’s Edge is a Nevada 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Driver’s Edge offers a free educational program for young drivers aged 15 to 21, teaching real life emergency avoidance and response techniques and overall driver safety. This innovative program is taught on an ongoing basis in Las Vegas, Nev., with annual national tours visiting multiple U.S. cities each year. The program is funded entirely by corporate sponsorship, public grants, and charitable donations. Please visit www.driversedge.org for more information.

Driver’s Edge Media Contacts:
Jeff Payne, Chief Executive Officer, (702) 896-6482
Steve Tepper, Chief Operating Officer, (310) 850-7750

CarMax Media Contacts:
Lisa Van Riper, Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs, (804) 935-4594
Trina H. Lee, Public Relations Manager, (804) 747-0422 ext. 4197