Source: Motor Trend post
As The BRAKE Report continues to highlight vehicle-safety systems and achievements, we offer the following post by Motor Trend. The iconic automotive publication evaluated the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) safety ratings for sport utility vehicles (SUVs) available to American buyers for 2020 and developed the following list of 10 top-rated ones. The vehicles are: Mazda CX-3, Subaru Crosstrek/Crosstrek Hybrid, Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-5, Mazda CX-9, Lexus NX, Acura RDX, Cadillac XT6, Mercedes-Benz GLE class and Hyundai Nexo.
When you think of the safest SUVs out there, you probably think of Subaru, Volvo, maybe the seemingly indestructible Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, a massive Suburban with miles of steel and space for protection, and a reliable Toyota or Honda for good measure.
In this feature about the safest SUVs for the 2020 model year, you might be surprised to learn that Mazda, a small-ish Japanese carmaker, tops the list with three of the safest offerings on the market for the 2020 model year, according to the main third parties that test these vehicles.
We have rounded up 10 top-scoring vehicles when it comes to safety. All received the highest award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) based on their crash rating scores and other criteria, including the trick headlight tests. We also note crash scores from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); the least expensive models are featured first. The results might indeed surprise you.
Related post:
IIHS Reveals Top Safety, Top Safety+ Award Winners
2020 Mazda CX-3
This is the smallest of the crossovers Mazda offers in the U.S., but Mazda did not hold back safety features on this subcompact SUV. The 2020 Mazda CX-3 provides a nice array of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and cross-traffic alert. Lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and adaptive headlights with automatic high beams are available. The CX-3 even offers a head-up display.
The Mazda CX-3 is a 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and the NHTSA gives it a five-star rating with five stars inside and frontal crashes, but the rollover rating is only four stars.
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2020 Subaru Crosstrek And Crosstrek Hybrid
This popular little wagon from Subaru is a safe bet. 2020 Subaru Crosstrek models with the CVT automatic transmission have the EyeSight package of safety and driver-assist systems as standard equipment. That includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and automatic high beams. The plug-in hybrid model adds LED steering responsive headlights.
The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid earns a 2020 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS with top marks in all six crashworthiness tests. CVT-equipped models with automatic emergency braking earn a Superior front crash prevention score. The non-hybrid model gets a regular 2020 Top Safety Pick designation (without the +) because trims below Limited get halogen headlights that are rated Poor. The Crosstrek also earns a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA with five stars in a side crash and four stars in frontal crash and rollover. The hybrid has not been rated.
The entire Motor Trend post, with images car be found by clicking HERE.
