As active safety features trickle down from luxury vehicles to mainstream models, getting a car with advanced technology is now more affordable than ever. From small cars and non-premium crossovers, lots of vehicles offer features that can warn of or prevent an accident at low speeds.
Here are 13 affordable cars and crossovers that offer active safety tech to minimize the impact of some collisions or help prevent them from happening in the first place.
Toyota Prius C
Starting at $20,395 including destination, the Toyota Prius C is the least expensive hybrid on sale in today and is available with cutting edge safety tech on higher trim levels. Toyota’s Safety Sense C suite adds the Pre-Collision system, which can warn you of an impending collision and even apply the brakes to reduce the severity of the crash.
Honda Civic
After undergoing a major redesign, the 10th-generation Honda Civic is now available with the Honda Sensing suite of active safety features. When equipped with Honda Sensing, the Civic can warn of an impending collision, automatically apply the brakes if necessary, and even nudge the car back in its lane if the car senses it’s veering out of a lane without an activated turn signal.
Nissan Sentra
As part of its refresh for the 2016 model year, the Nissan Sentra is now offered with a full suite of active safety features. On the SR and SL grades, you can add adaptive cruise control, forward emergency braking, and lane departure warning.
Volkswagen Jetta
For 2016, the refreshed Volkswagen Jetta added new safety technologies. In higher trim levels or with the Driver Assistance package, the Jetta gains autonomous emergency braking and forward collision warning.
Mazda CX-3
Stylish and fun to drive, the Mazda CX-3 offers an i-ActivSense package that includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning.
Subaru Impreza
Even though a new generation is about to arrive, the outgoing Subaru Impreza remains one of the safest compact cars for the money. When equipped with the EyeSight active safety suite, the Impreza is equipped with active cruise control that can come to a complete stop in traffic (some systems deactivate at low speeds), automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning.
Fiat 500X
Cute, bubbly and totally Italian, the Fiat 500X crossover can be had with a forward collision warning system and automatic emergency braking.
Volkswagen Golf
For 2016, the Volkswagen Golf added a Driver Assistance package to the options list. On the Golf, GTI, Golf R, or e-Golf on trims SE and higher, the package includes adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.
Jeep Renegade
Boxy and quirky, the Jeep Renegade is the least car-like entry in the subcompact crossover segment. In the Latitude and Limited trim, the Renegade can be had with automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning for an extra layer of safety when driving in traffic or in the urban jungle.
Mazda3
One of the best driving compact cars available today, the Mazda3 offers excellent handling, a well-appointed cabin and a stylish exterior design. The Technology package on the S Grand Touring trim takes things up a notch by offering a host of active safety features that include automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.
Kia Forte
Newly refreshed for the 2017 model year, the Kia Forte sedan is now available with active safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind spot warning. The Forte is also available with features usually found on more expensive cars, such as ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.
Subaru Crosstrek
A previous comparison test winner, the Subaru Crosstrek offers the EyeSight safety suite, giving you an extra set of eyes on the road. As with the Impreza, the car can apply the brakes automatically if the driver doesn’t react to an impending collision.
Hyundai Elantra
All-new for the 2017 model year, the Hyundai Elantra brings more cutting edge tech to the compact segment. In the Limited grade, you can add a full suite of active safety features that add an extra layer of protection if you’re accidentally drifting into another lane or don’t notice an obstacle or slowing car ahead.
The post 13 Affordable Cars and Crossovers with Active Safety Technology appeared first on Motor Trend.
Source: Motor Trend
