We review dozens of vehicles a year, and although styling, horsepower, and infotainment systems tend to take center stage, there are few checklist items as important as a vehicle's safety features. Crashworthiness ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA reveal how well a vehicle will protect you in the event of an accident. While these scores are important, we believe that the best kind of accident is the one that can be avoided.
An increasing number of automakers are including a suite of safety tech as standard equipment in their vehicles, and some offer nearly every feature you need without forcing you to pay extra. Whether you're shopping for a compact car or a midsize SUV for your family, these 5 vehicles have your back with their extensive lists of standard safety features.
1. 2020 Subaru Impreza
The compact 2020 Subaru Impreza offers excellent value with its roomy cabin, standard AWD, and affordable price tag. Plus, the 2020 Impreza gets Subaru's EyeSight suite of safety tech standard in all models with an automatic transmission. In addition to a standard rearview camera, Subaru's EyeSight suite gives drivers peace of mind with features like Forward Collision Warning, Forward Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lead Vehicle Start Alert. According to IIHS data, EyeSight safety features helped reduce the rate of rear-end collisions with injuries by 85%.
The 2020 Impreza's crash test ratings give drivers even more confidence with "good" scores in all IIHS categories, earning it a Top Safety Pick+ rating. Thanks to the EyeSight safety features, the Impreza earned a 'superior' rating for front crash prevention testing. It also earns a perfect 5/5 score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
2020 Subaru Impreza Starting MSRP: $18,695
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2. 2020 Toyota Camry
Mid-size sedan shoppers can confidently put the 2020 Toyota Camry at the top of their lists thanks to its high-quality interior, dynamic driving experience, and a laundry list of safety tech. The Camry comes standard with Toyota's Safety Sense suite which includes a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Automatic High Beams, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. A rearview camera, Tire Pressure Monitor System, and Hill Start Assist Control also come standard.
When an accident can't be avoided, the knowledge that a vehicle passed crash tests with flying colors is reassuring. The 2020 Camry aced crash tests from IIHS with a Top Safety Pick+ designation. It scored with a "good" ratings in all 6 IIHS categories and a 'superior' rating for front crash prevention. A 5/5 score from the NHTSA confirms that the Camry is a great choice for drivers concerned about safety.
2020 Toyota Camry Starting MSRP: $24,425
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3. 2020 Ford Escape
Completely redesigned for 2020, the Ford Escape is a smart choice for small SUV shoppers thanks to a well-appointed interior, attractive styling, a new hybrid model, and Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of essential safety technology. The Co-Pilot360 includes standard Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Auto High-Beam Headlamps, Lane-Keeping System, and a Rear View Camera.
Not only is the Escape loaded with standard safety tech, but it also holds its own in crash testing from both IIHS and NHTSA. The 2020 Escape scores a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS for "good" ratings in all crashworthiness categories, only missing a Top Safety Pick+ rating due to "acceptable" headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded the new Escape a 5/5 star overall rating.
2020 Ford Escape Starting MSRP: $24,885
4. 2020 Mazda CX-5
After an update last year, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 sports a new engine, more power, and refinement, making it one of our top picks for the compact SUV segment. Along with better handling and an updated suspension, the CX-5 is also a safe vehicle thanks to Mazda's i-Activsense safety suite which comes standard. Included in the suite of safety tech is a rearview camera, Low-Speed Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind-Spot Monitoring, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Mazda's Smart City Brake Support also helps the driver avoid frontal collisions while driving at the slow speeds in urban environments.
The standard i-Activsense safety suite works to prevent a collision, but should one occur, the Mazda CX-5 is ready to protect its occupants. The 2020 CX-5 earns the top IIHS Safety Pick+ designation with "good" in each of the six IIHS criteria. In NHTSA crash tests, the CX-5 also gets a five-star rating.
2020 Mazda CX-5 Starting MSRP: $25,190
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5. 2020 Kia Telluride
Families looking for a spacious, rugged, and safe 3-row SUV can't do much better than the 2020 Kia Telluride. This new mid-size SUV has solid driving chops on-road and off, plus great tech and a premium interior. On the long list of reasons we like the Telluride is its safety tech which includes a standard rearview camera, Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Blind spot monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, Driver Alertness Monitoring, Rear Parking Sensors, and a Safe Exit Assist System to protect passengers.
Right out of the gates, the Kia Telluride has earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS with "good" scores across the board of 6 crashworthiness categories. It missed the Top Safety Pick+ only due to an "acceptable" headlight rating. The NHTSA gave the SUV a five-star overall rating for crashworthiness.
2020 Kia Telluride Starting MSRP: $31,890
