All posts tagged safety picks

Years ago, the most up-to-date, top of the line safety features were only available in high priced luxury vehicles. Fortunately, with more safety features becoming standardized in a wide assortment of vehicles, many of today’s cars are not only more affordable, but safer as well.

While there are many contributing factors responsible for car accidents across the U.S., one of the easiest ways to prevent a fatal accident or one that ends in injury is by driving a car equipped with safety features. Here are some of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) top 2016 picks based on safety features:

Small Cars

Small cars are popular and perfect for a couple, a small family, a college student, or someone who lives in a larger city. Small cars continue to be popular picks because more models are becoming fuel efficient or are offered as an alternative (such as a hybrid or electric version).

• Honda Civic:
  Honda has had an impressive and loyal following for years. Often chosen for safety and sportiness, Honda owners stick behind the brand for a car with a long lifespan. The Honda Civic remains one of Honda’s most popular models and is chosen as a top pick for such safety features as side, front, rear head curtain airbags as well as front seat-mounted torso airbags. Additional features include electronic stability control, antilock brakes, and a rollover sensor. Perhaps one of the most sought after features on the Civic is the optional Front Crash Prevention Technology.

  Crash prevention technology or automatic forward collision-avoidance systems are so Important in vehicles these days that IIHS won’t consider giving a vehicle a safety rating if it’s not equipped with the lifesaving technology. It may increase the vehicle’s cost by a few thousand dollars, but it’s worth the extra cost.

• Other Picks include Acura ILX, Subaru Impreza, and Volkswagen Golf.

Mid-Size Cars

Mid-size cars are typically a little roomier than small cars, but still have some of the “sporty” capabilities of a smaller vehicle.

• Toyota Prius:
  A 2016 top pick for mid-size cars is the ever popular Prius. As one of the first hybrid models on the market, the Prius introduced eco-conscious drivers to a whole new way of driving. Not only does the new Prius have great fuel efficiency (54/50 mpg), but it also has some great new optional safety features such as crash prevention technology and lane departure alert.

  Like crash avoidance technology, lane departure technology keeps the vehicle in control when the driver is not. With all of today’s distractions and increase of fatigued motorists, drivers could use a little extra help and security while on the road.

• Other picks include Chrysler 200, Nissan Altima, and Subaru Outback.

Small SUV

SUVs are a common sight on U.S. roadways, particularly for family cars. Not necessarily ever given praise for safety or fuel efficiency in the past, SUVs are becoming more safe and eco-friendly.

• Mitsubishi Outlander:
  Equipped with a 7 airbag safety system and other standards such as electronic stability control, antilock brakes, and a rollover sensor, front crash prevention is also an optional feature on this popular and moderately priced SUV. Other picks include: Fiat 500X and the Toyota RAV4.

For a complete listing of the most safe and up-to-date vehicles on the market for 2016, check out IIHS Top Safety picks.