Buy These $35,000 SUVs if You Like Safety Features, Says Consumer Reports

As the popularity of the midsized SUV segment continues to grow at an accelerated pace, it’s becoming harder to choose one. If a family SUV is what you’re after, chances are you’re looking at standard safety features as a major priority. To aid in your search, Consumer Reports has published a short list of the best 2021 SUVs with the most standard safety features. These are the models you should buy.

The 2021 Kia Telluride offers plenty of standard safety features

In a surprise to absolutely no one, the 2021 Kia Telluride heads Consumer Reports’ latest SUV safety features list. With a starting price of $31,990, you get plenty of useful standard safety features. According to Consumer Reports, you get forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, highway-speed automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot warning, among others as standard.

If you want even more safety features, you can upgrade to the EX trim level for $37,390, which includes highway driving assist. In short, the system controls the SUVs’ steering and acceleration to keep a safe distance from other vehicles on the highway. This also includes the ability to maintain the SUV in the center of the lane it’s driving in.

According to Consumer Reports, the Korean SUV also excels in both the predicted reliability and predicted owner satisfaction categories. As a result, the Telluride is not only incredibly safe but should be able to stand the test of time.

The 2021 Mazda CX-9 offers safety in a luxurious SUV package

With an almost identical set of standard safety features as the Kia is the 2021 Mazda CX-9. As far as the brand’s SUVs go, the CX-9 is the top dog. Aside from offering an almost identical list of standard safety features mentioned above for the Telluride, the CX-9 provides a more luxurious package. However, luxury isn’t cheap, and as a result, the Mazda has a higher starting price of $33,960.

Like with the Telluride, Mazda’s flagship SUV offers greater safety features as you move up the trim levels. Opt for the Grand Touring model and its $41,940 base price, and you’ll also get Mazda’s Smart City Brake Support system. In short, this optional extra helps avoid collisions when traveling at very slow speeds, such as in traffic, by applying the brakes when necessary.

The only areas where the Mazda CX-9 begins to fall behind are the predicted reliability and predicted owner satisfaction categories. According to Consumer Reports, the CX-9 scored a decent score but fell behind rivals such as the Telluride.

The 2021 Ford Edge remains a great SUV option

Ford Edge vignale midsize crossover luxury suv front view on display at Brussels Expo
The Ford Edge | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images
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Rounding out Consumer Reports’ newest list is an SUV that has improved massively in recent years. The 2021 Ford Edge is not only a good-looking SUV but offers great safety features. Out of all the SUVs discussed, the Ford is the cheapest with a $31,100 base price. Even in the base model, you get many of the same aforementioned standard safety features present in the Telluride and CX-9, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring.

Although Ford’s SUV is cheaper, you lose the third-row of seats. However, the upside is that moving up through the trim levels won’t break the bank. So if you don’t need the third row, the Edge may be the way to go. It is worth pointing out that the Edge was awarded the lowest predicted owner satisfaction rating out of the three by Consumer Reports. Regardless, the Edge remains one of the best options in its segment.