7 Cars with the Best Safety Features

There are lot of things you look for in a vehicle – strong performance, stylish appearance, high-tech features, and plenty of cargo space, among others. Safety is not always at the top of the list, but it should be. The road is a dangerous and unpredictable place. Even if you drive carefully and cautiously, there is no way to avoid every roadway hazard. Having a safe car keeps you and you passengers secure when it matters most.

The good news is that purchasing a safe car does not have to cost an arm and a leg. It’s even an option if you have bad credit or a bankruptcy in your past. A poor credit car loan extends auto financing to more drivers, making it easy to own a vehicle that is safe, functional, and even fun. As you search for what to buy, consider one of these affordable and extra-safe options:

2011 Audi A3

Older luxury vehicles are not as expensive as you would expect. They are worth the investment because nicer vehicles tend to have more safety features and stronger build quality. Driving a small hatchback like the A3 strikes the perfect balance between a spacious cabin and a compact footprint. Top safety scores from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) confirm it’s well-protected as well.

2011 Volvo C30

Volvo has a reputation for building some of the safest cars on the road. That reputation applies to the C30 compact wagon as well, at least according to the IIHS safety scores. The C30 also offers plenty of functional cargo space and a confident turbocharged five-cylinder engine, making this the perfect all-purpose daily driver.

2012 MINI Cooper Countryman

Why does a safe car have to have bland looks and underwhelming performance? This crossover version of the iconic MINI Cooper comes with a sporty turbocharged engine that makes this car a blast to drive. You won’t hesitate to enjoy the ride knowing that this model was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

2011 Hyundai Elantra

Looking for a midsize sedan that excels at everything, including safety? The 2011 Hyundai Elantra gets impressive gas mileage, has an oversize trunk space, and comes with a lot more features than you would expect for the price. Best of all, the safety of the Elantra has been verified by independent IIHS testing.

2011 Nissan Juke

The Juke was designed to be fun to drive, which is why it comes with a powerful engine under the hood of a model built for agility and athleticism. Engineers balanced out that performance with a number of standard safety features and mechanical upgrades. Thanks to that careful approach to safety, this model was also named a Top Safety Pick.

2012 Kia Optima

The 2012 Kia Optima offers more style and substance than the average midsize sedan. The Optima sports head-turning looks, an upscale interior, a number of tech and connectivity features, and nimble performance. The Optima has also received a perfect five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Not all crossovers and SUVs are safer, but the Outlander Sport is. It received a number of top scores in crash tests conducted by the IIHS. On top of that, the Outlander Sport has spacious seating for five, all the standard features you expect, and sold fuel-efficiency ratings.

You don’t have to compromise anything to start driving a safe car. Make sure that any model you buy has ample safety features and respectable safety scores. Hopefully you will never need these extra layers of protection. If you do, however, you will never regret having them.