Safety is a priority

Car shoppers have different priorities: style, performance, comfort, space, fuel efficiency, powertrain type, technology, price, reliability, and safety. Not every one of those aspects appeals to the emotions, and the category of safety might even sound a little boring, but no one can dispute that this is one of the most important things to look for when it comes to car buying. Not long ago, it used to be considered a big deal that your car had anti-lock brakes and airbags. Now, all automakers who sell vehicles in the U.S. are required to provide three-point seat belts, side and front airbags, rearview cameras, LATCH car seat attachment points, and tire pressure monitoring systems. Beyond that, there are no safety requirements, and it’s up to each car company to outfit their vehicles the way they choose.

In 2025, automakers are pushing the boundaries of safety tech. Knee airbags, seat-belt pretensioners, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, semi-autonomous hands-free driver assist tech, and driver attention alert are pervasive in the industry. Manufacturers are also adding more standard safety features, making it easier than ever for buyers to drive with peace of mind, without spending extra on optional packages. While advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) were once limited to luxury vehicles or high trims, many brands now include robust safety suites as standard across even their most affordable models. If you’re in the market for a new vehicle and prioritize protection, here are the top five vehicles in 2025 that offer the most comprehensive standard safety features.

2025 Honda Accord

The 2025 Honda Accord ($28,295) has long been a benchmark in the midsize sedan segment, and the 2025 model solidifies that position by offering one of the most extensive standard safety packages on the market. The Accord comes in gas and hybrid trims, and it’s extremely family-friendly with plenty of room and great cargo space. Adding an impressive set of standard safety features rounds out the set for one of the best family cars in the history of automobiles. It’s also an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2025. Learn more here.

Standard Safety Features:

• Honda Sensing: Lane Keeping Assist System, Traffic Sign Recognition, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Front and Rear Parking Sensors
• Collision Mitigation Braking System
• Forward Collision Warning
• Lane Departure Warning 
• Road Departure Mitigation System
• Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control
• Rear Seat Reminder 
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System with location indicators
• Automatic high beam control

Why It Stands Out:
Honda doesn’t hold back on safety, even in the base LX trim. Every Accord gets Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features packaged together as standard equipment. For the base model to receive a comprehensive set of standard safety features is a huge plus for the Accord. 

2025 Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 ($29,250) is coming to the end of its fifth generation, but it remains one of the best-selling vehicles in the industry and for good reason. It’s fuel efficient, reliable, practical, roomy, and very easy to operate thanks to great physical controls. It also has gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models with a range of solid power outputs and fuel economies. Every RAV4 gets an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and an integrated backup camera. The 2025 RAV4 continues the model’s tradition of safety with its comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite that’s impressive at this price. Overall, it’s a well-appointed family SUV that provides more than you’d expect. Learn more here.

Standard Safety Features:

• Star Safety System: Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-lock Brake System, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, and Smart Stop Technology
• Toyota Safety Sense 2.5: Pre-Collision System w/ Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert w/ Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beams, Road Sign Assist
• Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking
• Tire Pressure Monitor System with direct pressure readout and individual tire location alert
• Blind Spot Monitor

Why It Stands Out:
The RAV4 has long been one of the best family cars in terms of standard safety features, and you get a lot for a very affordable price. Toyota’s safety packages are comprehensive when it comes to safety coverage, and you don’t have to get the top trim model to benefit from them.

2025 Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback ($29,010) is legendary and not just for its standard all-wheel drive system. It’s a remarkably safe SUV that’s well-packaged with standard features. Unlike many competitors, Subaru includes EyeSight even on the base Outback trim, which means every buyer gets the same core suite of features. Plus, symmetrical all-wheel drive enhances traction and control, adding another layer of safety in poor driving conditions. The 2025 Outback is also an IIHS Top Safety Pick. If you’re looking for a vehicle that combines rugged utility with top-tier standard safety, the 2025 Subaru Outback is tough to beat. Learn more here.

Standard Safety Features:

• EyeSight Driver Assist Technology: Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Sway Warning, Lead Vehicle Start Alert, Brake Light Recognition:
• DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System
• High Beam Assist
• Brake Assist
• Brake Override System
• 180-Degree Front View Monitor
• Whiplash Reducing Front Seats
• Automatic Emergency Steering
• Rear Seat Reminder
• Reverse Automatic Braking
• Adaptive headlights with high beam control

Why It Stands Out:
Subaru’s camera-based EyeSight system is one of the most refined in the business, and the addition of driver monitoring in the base model is a major bonus for distracted driving prevention.

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6

The Ioniq 6 ($37,850) might not get as much love as its smaller Ioniq 5 SUV sibling, but it happens to be one of the best EVs on the market today for numerous reasons. It bears refined and unique styling that’s like nothing else in the sedan segment, gas or electric. It’s also got great range with the rear-wheel drive model offering up to 342 miles on a full charge. As electric vehicles become more mainstream, the Ioniq 6 is also leading the charge in safety tech with one of the most comprehensive sets of safety tech found anywhere in the industry. It also earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating in 2024. Learn more here. 

Standard Safety Features:

• Hyundai SmartSense: Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection and junction-turning detection.
• Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Rear Cross-traffic Collision Avoidance Assist
• Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance Assist
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
• Safe Exit Assist
• Blind-Spot View Monitor
• Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control
• Highway Driving Assist
• Driver Attention Warning
• Surround View Monitor
• Head-up Display

Why It Stands Out:
The Ioniq 6’s safety suite is one of the most high-tech on the market. Hyundai’s inclusion of Highway Driving Assist on all trims—usually reserved for higher-priced vehicles—makes the Ioniq 6 one of the most future-ready and safest electric cars you can buy in 2025.

2025 Volvo XC60

No safety list would be complete without a Volvo, and its best-selling vehicle ranks high when it comes to standard safety tech. The XC60 ($48,345) has PHEV and mild hybrid models that provide excellent efficiency and power. Moreover, all XC60s have standard all-wheel drive, an 11.2-inch center infotainment display, and wireless phone charging. While typically associated with premium vehicles, the 2025 XC60 proves that you don’t need to splurge on top trims to enjoy luxury-level protection. This full set of safety features comes on every model. Learn more here.

Standard Safety Features:

• Volvo Pilot Assist
• City Safety Collision Avoidance Technology
• Run-Off Road Mitigation
• Rear Collision Warning
• 360-degree parking sensors.
• Driver Alert Control 
• Cross Traffic Alert with Auto Brake
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Forward automatic emergency braking
• Lane-departure warning
• Lane-keep assist
• Pilot Assist (adaptive cruise control with lane centering)
• Driver-attention monitoring
• Traffic-sign recognition
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Head-up display

Why It Stands Out:
The XC60’s blend of passive and active safety is exceptional, with features like City Safety Collision Avoidance Technology that provides oncoming vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle lane mitigation rarely found in competing vehicles at this price point. Volvo’s reputation for crashworthiness and occupant protection is well-earned.

Final thoughts

High-tech safety features used to be an optional luxury in the automotive world. In 2025, it’s increasingly a standard expectation—and these five vehicles rise to the occasion. Whether you prefer a midsize sedan, a weather-friendly AWD SUV, or a sleek electric vehicle, these models offer the most robust protection without forcing you to upgrade to higher trims or expensive packages. As automakers continue to refine ADAS technology, we can expect even more features—like automated lane changes and hands-free driving—to become widely available. But even today, buyers have access to remarkable safety systems right out of the box.

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