What characteristics do you look for when buying a new car? Maybe you’re a commuter who regularly deals with heavy traffic, or you’re a parent who wants a vehicle you can trust to keep your kids safe in case of an accident. If you’re a safety-first kind of person, one of the vehicles below might end up being what you’re looking for.
Thousands of people get into unexpected accidents every day, and while their vehicles’ safety ratings might reduce the risk of injury at the moment, sometimes that’s just the beginning of their problems. If you’ve been involved in a traffic accident, you may want to get in touch with a car accident law firm that can determine whether or not you’re entitled to compensation.
Speaking of surviving car crashes, how does one determine a vehicle’s safety rating? The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) uses criteria like crashworthiness, driver-assistance technology, or headlight performance, but there are many other factors that influence a car’s overall rating. With that introduction, let’s look at this year’s 8 safest vehicles.
1. 2022 Kia Stinger
The latest edition of the Kia Stinger didn’t have any drastic changes compared to previous models; it was already pretty great. It comes with automatic emergency braking, Lane Keep Assist, and Blind Spot Collision Avoidance.
The 2022 Kia Stinger offers 300 horsepower with a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4V engine, while the 2022 Kia Stinger GT has 368 horsepower with a 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine. New features include ambient LED lighting for the car’s interior and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen in the instrument panel.
2. 2022 Hyundai Tucson
This SUV is more boldly designed than its predecessors; it has a new grille, stylish “half-mirror” daytime lights, and a more sculpted look. Like its siblings, it comes with Hyundai’s full safety features suite. There’s a Safe Exit Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Smart Cruise Control, and Full Collision-Avoidance Assist (including pedestrian detection) – among several other features.
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You can even replace the key fob with your smartphone with the Digital Key feature. Even though there’s no guarantee that you won’t lose your phone, you’re still a lot less likely to misplace it compared to your keys! The 2022 Hyundai Tucson also offers HTRAC all-wheel drive, with a new “Mud, Sand, and Snow” mode.
3. 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT
If you’re looking for an SUV that’s on the beefy side, this is one to consider. Even though it isn’t quite a champion of intense off-road driving, it still has a fairly punchy 191-horsepower engine with 8-speed automatic transmission.
Buyers can choose between front-wheel or all-wheel drive, and all models come with Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive system that’s built for casual off-road adventures.
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You’ll get the same Digital Key functionality as the Hyundai Tucson, plus a smart liftgate, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and power-folding rear seats.
4. 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander
This flagship SUV is the model’s 4th generation, boasting a new look and plenty of upgrades. The 9.0-inch infotainment system has been revamped, there’s new switchgear and a shift-by-wire selector. With a 181-horsepower engine and a continuously variable transmission, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is a solid choice.
5. 2022 Honda Civic Sedan
Like other Honda vehicles, the 2022 Honda Civic Sedan has a suite of features that are collectively called “Honda Sensing”. Designed to prevent accidents before they can occur, this suite’s capabilities include Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Automatic Emergency Braking.
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The sedan even has new-and-improved safety features, such as donut-shaped airbags that can reduce the likelihood of brain injuries in a crash. The cabin itself is also better protected against impacts with improved structural protection.
6. 2021-2022 Honda Odyssey
As one of the most popular family minivans ever, the Honda Odyssey has plenty of features to justify its status. Of course, it comes with the standard Honda safety features: Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Automatic Emergency Braking.
It also offers CabinWatch and CabinTalk systems, which give a rear seat occupant reminder. Models EX-L and above come with four-way power lumbar support too, which is a boon on long family road trips. With a 3.5-liter V6 engine and 280 horsepower, this is definitely one of the better minivans in terms of torque.
7. 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge
As Volvo’s first all-electric vehicle, expectations are high – and for the most part, buyers aren’t feeling let down. With all-wheel drive, 402 horsepower, and a 208-mile range, this SUV can reach 80% charge in just 40 minutes.
It also offers a blind spot information system with steer assist, run-off road protection, active bending LED headlights and cross-traffic alert. The 9.0-inch infotainment display allows the use of Google Assistant, Google Maps, and the Google Play Store for select third-party apps. If you feel like splurging on some extra features, a climate package will get you a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and heated windshield wiper blades.
8. 2021 Nissan Altima
It may not be the sportiest car ever, but the 2021 Nissan Altima has very few overt flaws. With a 182-horsepower 2.5-liter 4V engine, it’s more than adequate for both city and highway driving – especially if you’re concerned about safety.
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Standard Altimas have high-beam assist, blind-spot monitoring, automated emergency braking, and forward-collision warning. If you get the Platinum trim, you’ll also have features like adaptive cruise control, rear automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, ProPilot Assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The AWD system helps you navigate icy or wet roads, and the large trunk accommodates anything from beach trip accessories to soccer practice gear.
In conclusion
It’s hard to narrow down exactly which vehicles are the safest; after all, the IIHS publishes many cars that make their Top Safety Pick list every year. Do you want features that will protect you in heavy traffic conditions or a vehicle with a high crash-test rating? In the end, it really boils down to what you expect from your next car.
