In relation to automotive security, there is no substitute for the rising demand for vehicles outfitted with energetic security methods that assist drivers and their passengers keep protected on the street.
Sadly, nonetheless, that degree of security comes at a value for customers reviews CR automotive specialists.
“With each mannequin yr, extra autos are coming with energetic security methods similar to blind spot warning and automated emergency braking. Nonetheless, many automakers proceed to make customers pay further to get it, and a few do not even embody these options on the bottom trim line,” says CR analysts of their newest publication.
That is simply unsuitable. Whereas most automakers have lastly made ahead collision warning (FCW) normal tools, many different options are nonetheless optionally available or not obtainable on some trim ranges…Customers should not be pressured right into a dearer car simply to remain protected.” —Shopper Experiences June 2025
Customary Lively Security Programs Automobile Customers Need
Ahead Collision Warning: Ahead collision warning is designed to provide you with a warning of an impending collision with a slower-moving or stationary automotive in entrance of you. Nonetheless, keep in mind that ahead collision warning alone is not going to robotically brake for you and shouldn’t be mistaken for Computerized Emergency Braking (AEB).
Computerized Emergency Braking (AEB): Because the identify suggests, automated emergency braking prompts a automotive’s brakes when a possible collision is detected—with out the driving force truly touching the brake pedal. Not solely that, nevertheless it additionally will increase the braking power if the driving force just isn’t making use of sufficient power to the brakes to stop a collision. AEB methods at this time are additionally designed with sensors to detect pedestrians and cyclists.
Blind Spot Warning (BSW): It is a system that makes use of cameras, radar, and/or ultrasonic sensors alongside your car to detect autos you possibly can’t see which are subsequent to or behind your automotive. Within the primary system, the driving force will see a visible warning within the sideview mirror. In additional feature-heavy methods, that warning may embody an audible beep or steering wheel vibration should you activate the flip sign and the sensors detect an unsafe merge or lane change about to happen.
Rear Cross-Visitors Collision Warning (RCTW): That is a complicated security function that informs the driving force if a car (or pedestrian or bike owner) is approaching from the left or proper when the driving force’s car is in reverse and is backing out of a parking house.
Particularly, automotive customers must be conscious that in lots of older fashions, not all security options got here normal or as an possibility.
Compact SUVs from $25,000 to $35,000 with Customary Lively Security Programs
With their newest advisable compact SUV alternative for automotive customers, CR analysts have this to say about automotive security options:
“Under is our checklist of compact SUVs that value between $25,000 and $35,000 and have normal AEB with pedestrian detection and AEB that operates at freeway speeds. A lot of them even have normal BSW and RCTW, although some fashions do not supply these two options on all trim ranges.”
A abstract of these autos, together with value, mileage, mannequin class ranking, and security options, is supplied beneath. All fashions are listed so as of their General Rating ranking from Shopper Experiences.
SUBCOMPACT and COMPACT SUVS
1. Subaru Crosstrek 2025
Worth Vary: $26,560 – $33,360
CR MPG: General 29 / Metropolis 20 / Hwy 41 mpg
#1 of 15 Subcompact SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options come normal. BSW and RCTW are usually not obtainable on the bottom trim; they’re optionally available on the Premium and Sport, and normal on the remainder of the road.
2. Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid 2025
Worth Vary: $28,395 – $31,580
CR MPG: General 41 / Metropolis 34 / Hwy 47 mpg
#2 of 15 Subcompact SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed AEB options come normal. BSW and RCTW aren’t obtainable on the bottom Hybrid S however are normal on all different trims.
3. Honda HR-V 2025
Worth Vary: $25,400 – $31,000
CR MPG: General 27 / Metropolis 19 / Hwy 37 mpg
#3 of 15 Subcompact SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options come normal. Neither BSW nor RCTW is accessible on the bottom LX mannequin.
4. Mazda CX-30 2025
Worth Vary: $24,995 – $36,950
CR MPG: General 27 / Metropolis 18 / Hwy 37 mpg
#5 of 15 Subcompact SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options in addition to BSW and RCTW.
5. Toyota Corolla Cross 2025
Worth Vary: $24,135 – $31,680
CR MPG: General 28 / Metropolis 21 / Hwy 35 mpg
#6 of 15 Subcompact SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options come normal. BSW and RCTW are unavailable on the bottom trim however are normal on the upper trims.
6. Hyundai Kona 2025
Worth Vary: $24,550 – $33,600
CR MPG: General 26 / Metropolis 18 / Hwy 36 mpg
#7 of 15 Subcompact SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options in addition to BSW and RCTW.
7. Kia Seltos 2025
Worth Vary: $24,690 – $31,190
CR MPG: General 28 / Metropolis 20 / Hwy 35 mpg
#8 of 15 Subcompact SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed AEB options come normal. BSW and RCTW are unavailable on the bottom trim.
8. Ford Bronco Sport 2025
Worth Vary: $30,995 – $40,115
CR MPG: General 25 / Metropolis 17 / Hwy 35 mpg
#9 of 15 Subcompact SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options in addition to BSW and RCTW.
9. Subaru Forester 2025
Worth Vary: $29,995 – $43,295
CR MPG: General 29 / Metropolis 20 / Hwy 39 mpg
#1 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed AEB options come normal. BSW and RCTW aren’t obtainable on the Base model and are optionally available solely on the second-tier Premium.
10. Hyundai Tucson Hybrid 2025
Worth Vary: $33,465 – $41,295
CR MPG: General 35 / Metropolis 29 / Hwy 40 mpg
#5 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options in addition to BSW and RCTW.
11. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2025
Worth Vary: $28,850 – $40,205
CR MPG: General 37 / Metropolis 32 / Hwy 41 mpg
#6 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed AEB options come normal. BSW and RCTW are usually not obtainable on the bottom Hybrid LE.
12. Honda CR-V 2025
Worth Vary: $30,100 – $50,000
CR MPG: General 26 / Metropolis 19 / Hwy 33 mpg
#8 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed AEB options come normal. BSW and RCTW aren’t obtainable on the bottom LX.
13. Mazda CX-5 2025
Worth Vary: $28,770 – $40,800
CR MPG: General 24 / Metropolis 17 / Hwy 33 mpg
#9 of 32 SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options in addition to BSW and RCTW.
14. Hyundai Tucson 2025
Worth Vary: $28,705 – $40,145
CR MPG: General 26 / Metropolis 18 / Hwy 35 mpg
#10 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options in addition to BSW and RCTW.
15. Nissan Rogue 2025
Worth Vary: $28,590 – $39,990
CR MPG: General 25 / Metropolis 17 / Hwy 34 mpg
#13 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options in addition to BSW and RCTW.
16. Kia Sportage 2025
Worth Vary: $27,390 – $38,290
CR MPG: General 25 / Metropolis 17 / Hwy 34 mpg
#12 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed AEB options come normal. BSW and RCTW aren’t obtainable on the bottom LX.
17. Kia Sportage Hybrid 2025
Worth Vary: $28,790 – $37,790
CR MPG: General 36 / Metropolis 31 / Hwy 39 mpg
#14 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed AEB options come normal. BSW and RCTW aren’t obtainable on the bottom LX.
18. Ford Escape 2025
Worth Vary: $29,515 – $38,400
CR MPG: General 26 / Metropolis 17 / Hwy 37 mpg
#17 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options in addition to BSW and RCTW.
19. Mazda CX-50 2025
Worth Vary: $30,300 – $43,300
CR MPG: General 24 / Metropolis 16 / Hwy 33 mpg
#19 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Programs: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options in addition to BSW and RCTW.
In case you are available in the market for a used or barely used new automotive, here’s a latest article titled “Greatest Used Automobiles: Shopper Experiences’ High Picks for June 2025.”
For an extra latest Shopper Experiences suggestion, remember to take a look at the “10 Greatest SUVs You Can Purchase Proper Now for the Street Journey Forward.”
Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter primarily based in Cincinnati who at present researches and restores older autos with engine modifications for improved efficiency. He additionally reviews on fashionable vehicles (together with EVs) with a deal with DIY mechanics, shopping for and utilizing instruments, and different associated topical automotive restore information. Observe Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites in addition to on Fb and his automotive weblog “Zen and the Artwork of DIY Automobile Restore” for helpful every day information and subjects associated to new and used vehicles and vehicles.
Picture Supply: Deposit Pictures
