Skip to main content

According to Consumer Reports, finding an SUV that comes standard with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and costs less than $25,000 can be quite the challenge. But it doesn’t have to be. Consumer Reports put together a pretty comprehensive list of safe SUVs that come standard with a handful of driver-assist features. You can take them home for less than $25,000 too.

2021 Mazda CX-30 parked on a beach
2021 Mazda CX-30 | Mazda

The 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Kia Sportage offers plenty of standard driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The new Kia Sportage also earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). And when it comes to pricing? This year’s model will run you a minimum of $23,990. Not bad, not bad at all

The 2021 Hyundai Kona

Much like the 2021 Kia Sportage, the 2021 Hyundai Kona has also positioned itself as a safe SUV that won’t break the bank. You can expect to spend just over $20,400 on the base model. That price will get you standard driver-assist features like lane-keeping assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, and driver attention warnings. The 2021 Hyundai Kona also scored a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA

The 2022 Hyundai Kona driving around a curve of a road
The 2022 Hyundai Kona in action | Photo via Hyundai

The 2021 Mazda CX-30

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 has a lot going for it. A base model will run you just under $22,000. But, that figure will get you standard driver-assist features like a lane departure warning system, lane keep assist, radar cruise control, and driver attention alerts. For added safety features like blindspot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts, you will have to opt for a pricer CX-30. But, even if you do opt for the base model, you can rest assured knowing the CX-30 is a safe SUV. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also tapped this year’s model as a Top Safety Pick+.

The 2021 Chevy Equinox

If you’re in the market for a safe SUV and the Mazda CX-30 isn’t quite your style, consider the 2021 Chevy Equinox. This year’s model comes standard with Chevy Safe Assist, including driver-assist systems like automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, front, pedestrian braking, a following distance indicator, and lane-keep assist with lane departure warning. According to the NHTSA, this year’s model earned a five-star overall safety rating. But how much will a base Equinox cost you? For this safe SUV, you’ll be spending at least $23,800.

The 2021 Mazda CX-3

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 isn’t the only safe SUV that Mazda has to offer. The 2021 Mazda CX-3 was also recognized by the IIHS as a Top Safety Pick+. The NHTSA also gave it a five-star overall safety rating. But what driver-assist features will the CX-3’s $20,640 base price get you? Opt for the base model CX-3, and you can expect standard driver-assist features like blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, advanced smart city brake support with day and night time pedestrian detection, smart brake support with collision warning, radar cruise control, and lane departure warning. 

2021 Mazda CX-3 driving through a foggy forest
2021 Mazda CX-3 | Mazda

Buying a safe SUV doesn’t have to be expensive

You don’t need to pay luxury pricing to buy a safe SUV. In fact, if you’re in the market for a new SUV that comes stocked with driver-assist features, there are plenty of safe SUVs that won’t break the bank.

Related

The 2021 Kia Sportage Isn’t Just Cheaper Than the 2021 Ford Escape