The safest cars in America range from $20,000 to $30,000

Looking for a safe car doesn’t mean breaking the bank. At one point, buying a cheap car meant giving up the protection offered by larger models, a trade-off many buyers had no choice but to make. However, today, thanks to our stringent crash regulations and advances made by automakers, even some of the cheapest cars on the market offer excellent safety, and many of these vehicles have been given top ratings by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

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The institute’s top rating is Top Safety Pick+, which differs from Top Safety Pick by evaluating models using the same criteria plus an updated moderate frontal overlap test. While cars with this rating are considered some of the safest cars on the road, the institute points out that there is no substitute for size, and a larger car may often be safer than a smaller car with a higher rating, especially when they crash into each other. We’ve used this information to create a list of ten vehicles that offer the most safety, priced between $20,000 and $30,000, giving you peace of mind while saving some money at the dealership.

1 Honda Civic Sedan

Offering an impressive list of features and performance at a reasonable price, the Honda Civic is a perennial favorite. It’s also one of the last few models on sale with a manual transmission, making it a unicorn on the market. Opting for the high-performance Si variant will get you that manual transmission as well as the powerful 200-hp turbocharged engine. While you’re having fun, just rest assured you’ll be safe thanks to its sturdy construction and long list of safety features offered by the Honda Sensing suite.

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2 Mazda 3 hatchback and sedan

The Mazda3, in both sedan and hatchback form, provides a more refined and upscale experience than many would expect at this price point. Mazda has always taken a slightly different approach to its cars than others, focusing more on the driving experience and looking at fuel economy and the latest technology, and it has allowed the company to carve out a bit of a niche for itself. Better yet, the Mazda 3 has safety to match its sporting abilities, earning more awards than any of its competitors in recent years.

3 Toyota Prius

Known for its fuel efficiency, the Toyota Prius hybrid has evolved into an attractive model after all these years. It’s a car you won’t be embarrassed to see anymore, and better yet, you can get it with a powerful engine that delivers 196 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and 54 mpg combined. Add to that the brand’s excellent Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 safety suite, and you have a near-entry-level car that won’t make you wish you’d upgraded to the top trim.

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4 Honda Accord

If you’re looking for a midsize sedan with a little more space, it’s hard to go wrong with the Honda Accord. This vehicle became a common sight on American roads thanks to its outstanding reliability, safety, and relaxed demeanor. Its latest generation has enhanced all of these attributes while adding a hybrid powertrain for improved fuel economy. However, to keep its price at $30,000, you have to go with the regular 1.5-liter turbocharged gas engine, which still delivers respectable fuel economy, making it an ideal daily driver.

5 Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry, a staple in the midsize sedan market, is all-new for 2025, and this is the first time the model has qualified for a Top Safety Pick+ award. The model is different than before, but it’s still a great value, especially if you opt for the base LE model. This trim starts at just $28,400, and with it you get exceptional fuel economy and 225 horsepower, but you can also make do with an all-wheel drive system that increases power to 232 horsepower. It doesn’t matter which Camry you choose, because it’s a great, safe car from top to bottom.

6 Honda HR-V

The Honda HR-V brings safety to the compact crossover segment in a spacious and comfortable package. Honda has updated the model for 2023, giving its looks and technology much-needed upgrades as well as giving the car more power. Unfortunately, its 158 hp is still down compared to rivals, especially because it has also gained weight, and the fuel economy isn’t as good as it should be to make up for that, while no hybrid has been offered – yet. However, if you are looking for value, it has that in spades and will be a safe and reliable means of transportation.

7 Mazda CX-30

If you feel like the Mazda CX-30 is just a raised Mazda 3, you’re right. Mazda took a page from Subaru’s book and took what is essentially a small commuter hatchback, raised it a few inches, added some body cladding, and started calling it a crossover. Are we upset? Of course not, because of all the vehicles in the small crossover segment, the CX-30 may be the best-driving and most engaging. It’s a stylish model, made better by sharing Mazda’s penchant for safety.

8 Hyundai Kona

The Hyundai Kona has grown older, but it has lost some of the sportiness the model once had. The latest generation is designed primarily as an electric car, so it benefits from an attractive exterior and a tech-laden interior, but all the gas engines are carryovers from before. We’d opt for the powerful turbocharged engine found in models like the N Line S, as its 190 horsepower will help make the model feel lighter on its feet, and its great ratings will ensure your passenger’s safety.

9 Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson combines affordability with a strong safety rating that makes it a great choice for those who need a little more space. For 2025, the model has had some work done, revising the exterior and updating the interior a bit while keeping the formula mostly the same. If it were up to us, we’d opt for the more powerful and fuel-efficient Hybrid version, but if you can’t afford that, the base model comes with an impressive array of standard features, especially in the SEL trim, and enough power so you won’t feel sluggish.

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10 Subaru Outback

For adventurous drivers, the Subaru Outback is a popular choice, and it’s on this list with a caveat. It’s the only model on this list that didn’t receive a Top Safety Pick+ award, instead receiving only a Top Safety Pick award. The reason it’s included is that, as the largest model on this list, we wouldn’t be surprised if it performs better than most of the other smaller models, especially because Subaru is known for its safety. If you want one for anywhere near or under $30,000, you’ll have to opt for the Base, which still gives you all the comfort, room, and space you’d expect from one of Subaru’s more popular models.

sources:


IIHS.com
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Environmental Protection Agency
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