[Jim_in_PA]

She's going to learn on the Ascent. She'll probably wind up with a Forester or CrossTrek when the time comes for her own car. Maybe a CRV or RAV4.

I think that's a good thing...starting out in the larger vehicle since that will make the smaller one(s) feel even more nimble. I started my daughter in the Grand Cherokee I drove previously which is the same wheel base as the Ascent, albeit a little heavier. She did her road test with the DMV in it, too. That worked out well for her and the transition to the Outback was pretty seamless. That said, and back to the topic at hand...she did have a minor accident in the Outback and there was zero injury. Just embarrassment.

 

[pdxeca]

I think that's a good thing...starting out in the larger vehicle since that will make the smaller one(s) feel even more nimble. I started my daughter in the Grand Cherokee I drove previously which is the same wheel base as the Ascent, albeit a little heavier. She did her road test with the DMV in it, too. That worked out well for her and the transition to the Outback was pretty seamless. That said, and back to the topic at hand...she did have a minor accident in the Outback and there was zero injury. Just embarrassment.

Continuing the off-topic discussion though... I learned to drive in an air cooled 4 speed manual 1980 VW Westfalia. My dad’s hypothesis was that if I could drive that, I could drive anything.
My own first car was a 1985 Subaru GL coupe.

 

[TheRaven]

My first Subaru was an '82 GL wagon, but my first car was a '77 Chevy Vega. (the Vega was once rated the 2nd worst car in history after the Edsel, a fact I was darn proud of when I was driving mine as a teenager! )

 

[BBB]

Sorry to hear this, and I'm glad your kids are ok. This is why I glance both ways when entering an intersection if I'm the 1st vehicle entering it. There are way too many dangerous drivers out there.

And yes, I realize this might not be the scenario of your kid's accident.