A new analysis released in August 2026 by Conboy Law Injury & Medical Malpractice Lawyers identifies the Chevrolet Camaro as the riskiest first car for teenage drivers. The study evaluated 22 popular models on safety, crash‑avoidance technology, and affordability, assigning the Camaro a safety score of 21.06 out of 100 and a final composite score of 41.83 — the lowest among the group.
How the ranking was calculated
Researchers examined fatal‑crash data, crashworthiness ratings, safety‑technology features, purchase price, monthly operating costs, and maintenance expenses. Lower scores indicate greater risk or lower affordability. The Camaro received a crashworthiness rating of 2 on a four‑point scale and a safety‑technology score of 1 out of 3.
Comparison with other models
The Jeep Wrangler placed second, followed by the Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Mustang and Toyota Tacoma. Four of the five lowest‑ranked vehicles are sports cars, off‑road vehicles, or pickup trucks, underscoring the heightened danger of high‑performance machines for inexperienced drivers.
Official safety ratings
The study’s claim that the Camaro has the “worst crash protection” is not based on official government or Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings. The IIHS gave 2016‑2023 Camaro models “Good” scores in several crashworthiness tests, though the 2024 model earned a “Poor” rating for lacking pedestrian‑front‑crash‑prevention technology.
Real‑world fatality data
In a July 2026 IIHS analysis, the Camaro recorded 88 driver deaths per 1 million registered vehicle years, more than double the 37‑per‑million average across all models studied. The vehicle was also linked to 87 deaths of drivers in other vehicles per 1 million vehicle years.
Why teens are especially vulnerable
Teen drivers already face crash rates more than four times higher than drivers age 20 and older, according to the IIHS. Speed is a major factor; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that speeding contributed to 33 % of fatal crashes involving 15‑ to 18‑year‑old drivers in 2024.
IIHS President David Harkey warned, “Powerful engines and marketing that attracts aggressive drivers is the issue for sports cars and muscle cars. They’re dangerous mainly because of how they’re driven.”
Guidance for families
Consumer Reports and the IIHS advise families to avoid sports cars and high‑horsepower vehicles for new drivers. Recommended choices include cars with strong crash‑test performance, automatic emergency braking, manageable power, and sufficient weight to protect occupants without the handling challenges of larger trucks and SUVs.
While the Conboy ranking is not a government safety designation, its findings align with broader federal and industry data that caution against placing inexperienced drivers behind the wheel of powerful sports cars. Parents should consider federal crash ratings, active safety equipment, insurance costs, vehicle condition, and the teen’s driving experience when selecting a first vehicle.
Original reporting: WBAP News/Talk (Dallas-Fort Worth) — read the source article.
