What to Consider When Shopping for a Safe Vehicle

Whether you are a parent, grandparent, uncle, or aunt, safety is the number one priority, especially when it comes to driving. Crazy drivers seem to make the roads more dangerous, but what if you could put those worries at ease with an SUV that can assist you in your everyday travels? When you look for used cars for sale near Chapel Hill, you will discover a wide selection of used SUVs with a multitude of safety features and safety packages. Today, we’re going to dive into what you should be looking for when picking your SUV, starting with the size of the vehicle, what safety awards to look for, and which safety suites to look for. Then, you can visit us knowing exactly what you need to look for in your used purchase.

Different Sized SUVs

SUVs are revered for their versatility, reliability, and size, which gives drivers the confidence they need on the road. With so many different sizes available, it can be a little intimidating to choose the right SUV. However, we are here to help. Let’s discuss the different sizes so you can get into what it is you need most.

Subcompact & Compact SUVs

For those who need a commuter vehicle and don’t necessarily need a lot of space, consider a subcompact or compact SUV. These vehicles are more fuel efficient, are easy to maneuver/park, and have great cargo space. These models meet the sweet spot between sedan and SUV. Subcompact and compact SUVs tend to seat four to five people comfortably.

On the smaller end, consider models like the Kia Soul, Mazda CX-3, and Honda HR-V. These models are fun to drive, have just enough space so your rear seat passengers will be comfortable, and you’ll have plenty of room in the trunk for a road trip. Slightly larger subcompact vehicles are models like the Toyota Corolla Cross, Ford Bronco Sport, and the Subaru Crosstrek. These options will be a bit more flexible, allowing for some light off-roading/adventuring, a bit more passenger space, and, again, room for whatever you might need to pack for your journey. All of these vehicles will be plenty fuel efficient.

Compact SUVs are popular picks for a lot of buyers. They have plenty of room for passengers and cargo, can handle some light off-roading, and offer plenty of cargo space, especially if you fold down the second row of seats. Models that fit this class are the Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, and Honda CR-V. These are some of the most popular options for drivers in the US, as they tend to be affordable picks for what they offer.

Midsize SUVs

For those that need a bit more space, check out a midsize SUV. You can find midsize SUVs that fit between five to eight passengers, depending on the model you choose. They are spacious, have plenty of cargo space, and can be great family vehicles. There are a lot of options you can consider when shopping for a used midsize model, but some popular options are the Ford Edge, Subaru Outback, Chevy Blazer, and the Toyota 4Runner.

Full-Size SUVs

Full-size SUVs are where you will find the most power, the most passenger room, and the biggest cargo space. These vehicles will seat up to eight passengers and usually come with plenty of family-friendly tech. A typical full-size SUV will give you towing options and a more powerful engine. However, you may sacrifice fuel efficiency for power and maneuverability for the larger passenger/cargo space. When you are looking to purchase one of these vehicles, you can check out models like the Toyota Sequoia, Jeep Wagoneer, Chevy Suburban, and the Cadillac Escalade.

SUVs Known for Impressive Safety Ratings

When it comes to picking your vehicle, look at vehicles that are given five star safety ratings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Top Safety Pick/Top Safety Pick+ designations by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Both organizations have strict guidelines that set the bar for what is considered a safe vehicle.

The first SUV we’d like to highlight as a great example of a vehicle with great safety ratings is the Mazda CX-5. The Mazda CX-5 was a Top Safety Pick+ model from 2014-2021. You can find the Mazda CX-5 with high-end tech, great safety features, and driver assist features that will make driving fun. The NHTSA has given the Mazda CX-5 an overall five-star safety rating for 2018-2022 models.

For larger options, there are plenty of great vehicles to consider, but we’re going to highlight the Ford Explorer. Since the 2013 model year, the Explorer has received five-star safety ratings from the NHTSA. 2020 through 2024 Explorer models received either a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ distinction from the IIHS. The Explorer is a great option for families in need of rugged capability and comfort features. You can also find some more performance-focused trims for the Explorer.

Consider Models With These Safety and Driver Assist Suites/Features

Most brands understand the demand for safety. With that comes the brands that offer packages and high standards on base models so that safety is not a convenient privilege but an affordable right for drivers everywhere.

Let’s start with GM. GM is known for its car brands, such as Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC. Chevrolet currently equips models with the Chevy Safety Assist suite. With this suite, Chevy equips its models with automatic emergency braking, which helps you lessen the severity of a front-end collision or avoid one entirely. This suite also includes front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist, forward collision alert, following distance indicator, and IntelliBeam headlamps. Buick offers similar features but under a different name, the Buick Driver Confidence suite/package.

One unique feature Chevy offers is Teen Driver technology. This is a good option for buyers with new or learning drivers who might get behind the wheel on occasion. This system allows parents to still be in control while giving those new drivers the freedom they crave. It allows parents to set audio level control, speed limits, and more, while it also creates driver report cards for parents to view at their leisure. Now, you can know how your new drivers are learning and navigating the roads.

GM is not the only company to have great safety suites. Jeep has the Advanced Safety Group, Ford offers Ford Co-Pilot360, Honda has Honda Sensing, Kia has Kia Drive Wise, Nissan named theirs the Safety Shield 360, and Subaru calls theirs EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. While some may have more features than others, you can expect some great standard options when you see a vehicle with one of these suites equipped.

We’ve Only Scratched the Surface

While there are many options to choose from and different trim levels to think about, safety should always be your first priority when picking a vehicle. It never hurts to have an SUV with standard safety features or packages that can add or extend your vision, knowledge, and emergency braking. There are many benefits to having safety features that can not only be life-saving, but prevent a possible accident from happening. So, stop on to CBS Quality Cars, your go-to Chapel Hill used car dealer, where you’ll find these reliable used SUVs that fit into your budget.