Top Ten Affordable Cars with Advanced Safety
By Jakob Hansen, 10/31/2022
Want all the safety without all the price? Check out our Top Ten Cheap Cars with Advanced Safety
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We sure have come a long way when it comes to safety. If you remember the days before seatbelts were legal in cars you also remember how common serious or fatal accidents were in vehicles. Today, fatal vehicle accidents are slowly diminishing, and will one day be a thing of the past.
The massive decrease in traffic-related deaths and injuries is connected directly to the leaps and bounds we have made in vehicle safety. Everything from the humble seat belt and airbag to the complicated systems such as automatic braking and lane keep assist.
Many systems, such as traction control, airbags, and crumple zones are mandated by the government, and required on all vehicles. Other systems, however, particularly the more complex systems, are not mandated and can demand a hefty premium to potential buyers.
So what are you to do if you care about safety, but also have to stay on a budget?
Top Ten Cheap Cars with Advanced Safety
- Jeep Renegade
- Kia Forte
- Nissan Kicks
- Toyota C-HR
- Volkswagen Jetta
- Mazda CX-3
- Subaru Impreza
- Honda HR-V
- Kia Soul
- Hyundai Elantra
#10. 2020 Jeep Renegade
Base MSRP Range: $22,620
Coming in as the highest-priced vehicle on the list doesn't mean that the 2020 Jeep Renegade is short on value. The Renegade is a highly capable and fun SUV with tons of cool features.
One of the coolest features on the Renegade is the My Sky® Power Removable Sunroof. A fully removable roof panel system that gives you an open-air feel. Other cool features include LED lights all around, heated steering wheel, and even heated windshield wipers for icy days!
But what we're focusing on here is the safety, and the Jeep has plenty to offer. With a full safety suite including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection, Lanesense® lane departure warning with lane keep assist, Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, ParkSense® Front Park Assist and many more.
#9. 2020 Kia Forte
Base MSRP Range: $17,890
Kia is on top of their game right now. The Kia Telluride is one of the top-rated SUV's, the new Kia K5 (replacing the Kia Optima) is one of the best-looking sedans on the market, and the Kia Forte is an economy based car with more than everything you need.
The 2020 Kia Forte is completely redesigned for this year and comes loaded with new features. Kia DRIVEWiSE Driver Assist Technology comes with life-saving tech such as forward collision avoidance, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, blind spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision assist, and lane change assist.
#8. 2020 Nissan Kicks
Base MSRP Range: $19,070
Nissan's newest edition to the economy CUV segment is the 2020 Nissan Kicks. This CUV is a capable little hellion that comes packed with features at a low starting price.
The Kicks is available with Nissan's Safety Shield® 360, which includes tons of advanced safety tech such as automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and even rear automatic braking.
Access to this caliber of advanced safety tech was once reserved for only the high-end cars or top trim levels, but in the Kicks the Nissan's Safety Shield® 360 is available in nearly every trim, meaning you can check the safety box even at a super low starting price.
#7. 2020 Toyota C-HR
Base MSRP Range: $21,295
The Toyota C-HR is Toyota's answer to the small CUV market. Competing against vehicles such as the Honda HR V, Subaru Crosstrek, and Mazda CX-3, the 2020 Toyota C-HR puts up a solid fight.
We live a lot of features on the C-HR. Despite the small size, the C-HR has a roomy, inviting cabin. Also, the styling, while somewhat polarizing, is different and fun.
When it comes to safety, the Toyota C-HR comes with Toyota's outstanding Safety Sense™ P (TSS-P) safety suite. This suite is one of the best on the market. The availability in a small CUV like the C-HR is nothing short of extraordinary.
#6. 2020 Volkswagen Jetta
Base MSRP Range: $18,895
Volkswagen's entry-level and best-selling sedan, the 2020 Jetta, is an affordable, feature-packed little number. From the base model, you get tons of features as standard, but the real attention-grabbers are the safety options.
For merely $450, the Jetta comes with the Drivers Assistance package, a comprehensive safety suite that includes features such as forward collision warning, autonomous braking, blind-spot monitor, rear traffic alert, and even heated mirrors!
For such a great value its hard to see why you wouldn't choose the advanced safety features available in the new Jetta.
#5. 2020 Mazda CX-3
Base MSRP Range: $21,740
The little Mazda CX-3 is Mazda's answer to the affordable vehicle market. The compact CUV is available with tons of features—from standard—and comes equipped with everything you need for an efficient little go-anywhere, do anything type car.
From a safety standpoint, the 2020 Mazda CX-3 comes in stong. Available on every trim level is a full safety suite, including Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Advanced Smart City Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection, Smart Brake Support with collision warning, Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Departure Warning.
Go for the Mazda and you will have a fun SUV with a premium interior, engaging drive, and all the safety equipment you need at an extremely reasonable price.
#4. 2020 Subaru Impreza
Base MSRP Range: $18,695
Subaru's commitment to safety runs deep through the brand's veins. Every Subaru vehicle is at the very least rated with an IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+. The 2020 Subaru Impreza is no different. Starting at only $18,695, the Impreza is one of the more affordable vehicles available today.
What's more, Subaru's advanced safety suite, EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, is available on every trim of the Impreza, including base model.
Subaru's Eyesight® package includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure and sway warning, and lane keep assist functions.
#3. 2020 Honda HR-V
Base MSRP Range: $20,920
Honda has taken a full pledge on vehicle safety. Their entire line-up is available with advanced safety features to keep you safe, and much of them come as standard.
The 2020 HR-V is an excellent choice not only for its excellent use of space, tech-heavy interior, and fun yet composed ride, but also for the advanced safety that it comes with.
The HR-V is available with Honda's excellent safety suite, Honda Sensing®. This advanced suite comes available with tech such as Collision Mitigation Braking System™, Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist System, Traffic Sign Recognition, Honda LaneWatch™, and much more.
#2. 2020 Kia Soul
Base MSRP Range: $17,490
Much like the Kia Forte, the sassy Kia Soul (I can't believe I just called it "sassy") is one of our favorites here at Rydeshopper. The 2020 Kia Soul is a fun-natured little CUV that is fun to drive, fun to be in, and even fun to look at. What's more, the Soul is one of the most cleverly packaged vehicles available. For such a small platform, the Kia Soul is able to swallow up more stuff than just about any car here.
ProTip: Part of the reason the Kia Soul is able to move such big items is its massive rear hatch opening. Cargo space isn't everything if you can't get anything in the darn thing. Look for cars with larger cargo openings that you can fit those big-ticket items and save yourself major frustration.
Looking into safety, the Kia Soul is available with Kia DRIVEWiSE Driver Assist Technology. This advanced safety suite comes with life-saving tech such as forward collision avoidance, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, blind spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision assist, and lane change assist.
#1. 2020 Hyundai Elantra
Base MSRP Range: $19,300
The all-new Hyundai Elantra has an immense amount of value to offer. Not only is it a feature-rich and well made small sedan, but it also comes available as standard with forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, driver attention warning, and driver's blind-spot monitor.
Closing
When safety is of the utmost importance, but cost is holding you back, it can sometimes feel like you are left in the dust.
But automakers are making these advanced safety features available at lower and lower costs and even entry-level cars can be had with the top-end safety features.
Make sure you get what's important to you when buying your next car.
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Jakob is our writer with a love for all things automotive. He comes from a dealer background with experience on both sides of the fence. Knowing the system inside and out, he knows the best cars and the best deals. No matter what. |
