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2020 Kia Sportage is on display at the 111th Annual Chicago Auto Show

These Affordable SUVs Won’t Nickel and Dime You on Safety Features

SUVs are getting ever more popular across the United States, but it can be difficult to find affordable options that also come standard with advanced driver assistance systems. Fortunately, there are several highly rated SUVs that offer these desirable standard safety features and cost less than $25,000, according to Consumer Reports. Affordable models with the …

SUVs are getting ever more popular across the United States, but it can be difficult to find affordable options that also come standard with advanced driver assistance systems. Fortunately, there are several highly rated SUVs that offer these desirable standard safety features and cost less than $25,000, according to Consumer Reports.

Affordable models with the best standard safety features

While many automakers choose to make advanced safety features optional only at higher trim levels, you can find affordable SUVs with standard safety systems if you know where to look. To make it easier, Consumer Reports has compiled a list of four options that are well-rated and decked out with standard safety features: the 2020 Hyundai Kona, 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport, 2020 Chevy Equinox, and 2020 Kia Sportage.

Subcompact SUV options

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The two subcompact SUVs on this list are the Hyundai Kona and the Nissan Rogue Sport. Consumer Reports praises the Kona’s highly responsive handling, noting that it is more stylish and more fun to drive than many other subcompact SUV options. The Kona comes standard with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. If you opt for the SEL trim or above, you’ll also get a blind-spot warning.

This vehicle is ranked No. 2 out of 16 on the Consumer Reports list of subcompact SUVs, with a predicted reliability rating of 5/5. Base and SEL models come with a two-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 147 hp. It gets 18 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway, and it has an MSRP of $21,900 with a $1,095 destination charge.

With its quiet cabin and attractive, youthful styling, the Nissan Rogue Sport is another excellent subcompact option. It comes standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot warning. Combined with its destination charge, the Rogue Sport has a starting price of $24,355.

Compact SUV options

Consumer Reports lists the Chevy Equinox and Kia Sportage as the best options for people looking for a compact SUV. The Equinox has a comfortable, responsive ride and a roomy cabin. Its standard safety system is new for 2020, and features forward collision warning, blind spot warning, city automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. The Equinox’s base engine is a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo that makes 170 hp. It gets 17 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway.

With a predicted reliability rating of 4/5, the Equinox lags just slightly behind the perfect scores of the Rogue Sport and Kona. However, Consumer Reports still praises this vehicle’s excellent performance and intuitive infotainment system, which is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Equinox has an MSRP of $23,800 and a $1,195 destination charge for a total of $24,995.

Finally, true to its name, the 2020 Kia Sportage offers sporty handling and excellent reflexes. The LX trim starts at $23,990 and standard safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. This SUV comes with a 2.4-liter I4 engine that makes 181 hp, and it gets 23 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

It is worth noting that the Sportage has the lowest predicted reliability rating on this list, coming in at just 3/5. Even so, this compact SUV has excellent overall ratings from Consumer Reports and is a perfect option for anyone looking for a vehicle that’s a little more spry.

Standard advanced driver assistance systems can be hard to come by on affordable SUVs, but it’s not impossible to find some good options. The vehicles on this list all offer excellent ratings, affordable price tags, and plenty of standard advanced safety features.