THE 10 SAFEST CARS IN 2024 — THAT WON’T HURT YOUR WALLET
The auto industry is still feeling the effects of a slowed pandemic production line. While the costs of new and used cars have dropped slightly since late 2022, sticker prices are still high and borrowing rates historically steep. Affordability is an overriding consideration for most when choosing a car, but properly assessing safety features is literally a matter of life and death.
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Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which enforces vehicle performance standards, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), “an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization,” are committed to reducing deaths, injuries and property damage from motor vehicle crashes — and are essential sources for those looking to buy.
Today’s car manufacturers are diligent in making their vehicles as safe as possible for consumers, but some makes are safer than others. There are plenty of super safe, genuine economical rides in 2024. The following list of 10 includes three small cars, two midsize cars, three small SUVS and two midsize SUVs. All have been deemed either a Top Safety Pick or a Top Safety Pick+ by the (IIHS) and have excellent safety records.
Due to cost, dependably stalwart midsize luxury SUVs like the Acura MDX, the BMW X3, the Genesis GV80, the Mercedes-Benz GLE and the Tesla Model Y, among other high-price vehicle types, have been omitted. And remember, although the base manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRPs) are listed, safety features typically improve the more you spend on trims.
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10 Safest Cars in 2024 That Won’t Hurt Your Wallet
Small/Compact Cars
2024 Acura Integra
- Base MSRP: $31,800
The resurrected Integra received NHTSA 5-star safety ratings across the board for 2023 and the 2024 version is a IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Kelley Blue Book (KBB) considers the Integra “a luxury hatchback competing in a world of SUVs.”
2024 Mazda 3
- Base MSRP: $24,170
Both the sedan and the hatchback received IIHS Top Safety Pick+ nods, and both are among the best and most affordable cars on the market. The 3 is stylish and comes with a host of standard safety features, from lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning to driver-attention monitoring and forward-collision alert.
2024 Toyota Prius
- Base MSRP: $27,950
A nice base price, killer fuel economy and unmatched hybrid reliability have quickly become selling points for the Prius. Even the base LE model comes with the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite which, among many other features, can detect pedestrians, bicycles and motorcycles, per KBB.
Midsize Cars
2024 Honda Accord
- Base MSRP: $27,895
Kelley Blue Book’s Best Midsize Car of 2023 — and the 2024 model is a IIHS leads its class in safety. The site recommended upgrading to the $29,610 EX grade and adding a package that includes rear cross traffic alert (RCTA) and blind spot monitoring (BSM), but the base model has plenty of safety features to satisfy any driver’s needs.
2024 Toyota Camry
- Base MSRP: $26,420
As KBB noted, “Few sedans in history have achieved the success and positive reputation of the Toyota Camry,” and it’s a testament to the company for always trying to improve on its always excellent reliability. The Camry comes with Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5+, 10 airbags and high-beam assist. LED headlights standard as are LED taillights and daytime running lights.
Small SUVs
2024 Honda HR-V
- Base MSRP: $24,600
Revamped for the 2023 model year, the HR-V stands out as one of the safest small SUVs on the market. Safety improved as well. “The HR-V gets Honda’s suite of driver assistance technologies, including a lane-keeping feature, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automated emergency braking,” HotCars.com detailed.
2024 Hyundai Kona
- Base MSRP: $24,250
Hyundai redesigned the Kona for 2024. The subcompact crossover is now available with a fully electric powertrain and automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot warning (BSW, and rear cross traffic warning (RCTW) are standard on the new edition.
2024 Mazda CX-30
- Base MSRP: $24,995
The more advanced CX-50 is a top-rated subcompact SUV that won’t break the bank, but the CX-30 has the same high safety standards — and is around $5,000 cheaper. The base model comes well-equipped with 10 airbags and numerous advanced driver aids like smart brake assist, a driver-attention system and lane departure warning.
Midsize SUVs
2024 Hyundai Palisade
- Base MSRP: $36,650
The brand’s biggest SUV, the Palisade is a spacious, smooth family ride that comes with plenty of standard safety and driver assist features like automatic high-beams, front and rear automatic emergency braking, intersection collision mitigation, side cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control.
2024 Kia Telluride
- Base MSRP: $36,190
This family-friendly premium SUV comes with a mainstream price. While Car and Driver suggested it needs to do better with driver engagement, it included it on its 2024 10 Best Trucks and SUVs and 2024 Editors’ Choice lists.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The 10 Safest Cars in 2024 — That Won’t Hurt Your Wallet
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