One of the most important qualities to consider when purchasing a used vehicle is how safe it is. Let’s face it, arriving safely and securely at our destinations is really the whole point of owning a vehicle in the first place. Accidents can happen when we least expect them, and they can happen through no fault of our own. They happen despite driving in the safest and most defensive way possible, so preparing for the possibility of having a collision that you and your family are able to walk away from is extremely important when deciding which vehicle to purchase next.
If you are in the market for a used vehicle and are looking to purchase one of the safest used cars available with the highest safety ratings, continue reading. The vehicle experts at Ingram Park Pre-Owned Outlet have curated a list of some of the safest used cars available for purchase.
The list below is categorized by size for convenience. Not only do these used vehicles rank high in both performance and reliability, but they also earn some of the highest marks in crash protection and avoidance while maintaining a reasonable price point. Owning one of the safest used cars available does not have to break your budget.
Sedans and Coupes
Mazda3
The Mazda3 has the power and comfort of a more expensive ride with a budget price tag. This compact sedan has it all: 227 horsepower—up to 250 horsepower on premium gas—a comfortable and spacious cabin, the option of front- or rear-wheel drive, and a 4-cylinder engine. It’s comparable in build and quality to the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic but with a starting price tag of under $20,000 for a brand-new model, making the pre-owned price even lower.
As far as safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Mazda3 a 5-star rating for its 2021 model, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2020 and 2021 models its highest marks of Top Safety Pick+. Some safety features you can expect to find in your Mazda3 are automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, active lane control, driver attention monitor, and adaptive cruise control. Add-on safety features that can be found in some used Mazda3s include blind-spot monitors, adaptive headlights, traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and front and back parking sensors. All these features make this car one of the safest used cars that you can purchase for a reasonable price.
Honda Accord Sedan or Coupe
The Honda Accord is a mid-sized sedan with a sleek design and a very spacious cabin made with high-quality materials. It offers an engine power of 192 horsepower, with an available upgrade to 252 horsepower. All Honda Accords come standard with automatic high beams, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitors, active lane control, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control. When shopping around, you can compare the Honda Accord to the Toyota Camry and the Nissan Altima.
The Honda Accord 2021 model was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. It also received the highest safety rating from the NHTSA, 5 stars. This makes it one of the safest used cars to purchase with a reasonable price tag. You can’t misstep with a Honda Accord as your next used vehicle purchase.
SUVs
Chevy Equinox
The Chevy Equinox is comparable to the Subaru Forester and the Honda CR-V but with fewer bells and whistles, making this a good value for a family vehicle. It has plenty of cabin space inside and a great safety rating to ensure your family arrives at your destination safely and securely. Its engine ranges from 170 to 252 horsepower, depending on whether the car has an upgraded powertrain or not. The Equinox comes standard with all-wheel drive to ensure a safe ride no matter what type of weather you are driving in.
The top safety features include automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, and active lane control, and all of these come standard. With a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA, the Chevy Equinox could be just the safe family vehicle you’re looking for.
Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is a great value for a premium SUV. With tons of cabin space, there is plenty of space to seat three passengers across the backseat and still fit the gear for an entire family’s camping trip in the back. The Forester comes standard with all-wheel drive and offers 182 horsepower, making this a great vehicle for both commuting to work and for exploring.
The Subaru Forester gets high marks in its safety ratings from both the NHTSA and the IIHS, with five-star and Top Safety Pick+ ratings, respectively. Many safety features come standard on the Forester, including automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitors are an add-on, but with the blind spots being limited on this vehicle due to thin roof pillars and lots of window space to see through, this feature is less needed than some other vehicles with more narrow viewing areas. Overall, the Subaru Forester is a great option for those looking for a safe compact SUV for a reasonable price.
Crossover SUV
Volvo XC90
In the Volvo XC90’s 20-year recorded history, there has never been a fatality while driving this luxury crossover SUV, making this one of the top safety picks when compared to different used cars available on the market. However, this one will come at a heftier price tag as it is a luxury vehicle.
This vehicle has earned IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+ rating and five stars from the NHTSA. The Volvo XC90 comes standard with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitors, active lane control, and parking sensors, all adding up to make this SUV a great purchase. If you are in the market for your next used vehicle, contact Ingram Park Pre-Owned Outlet today! We’ll help you find the right vehicle for your lifestyle and budget, and you’ll never have to substitute safety for price.
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