Safety doesn’t have to cost extra. These cars and SUV have superior crash protection and crash avoidance features without a high price.
The 2026 Honda Accord Hybrid is among the safest new cars under $35,000 due to its crash protection, dynamic performance, and safety features.
By Keith Barry
Safe cars don’t have to cost a fortune.
In fact, that’s one reason for Consumer Reports’ safety verdict, a new rating that allows shoppers to easily compare cars. It identifies models with excellent crash test results, superior braking and handling performance to help you avoid a crash, proven crash-prevention technology as standard equipment, and controls that aren’t distracting.
Below, we’ve listed the cars and SUVs with the lowest starting prices that also earned the highest score in our safety verdict evaluation. (Cars appear below in ascending order by base price.)
“Safety shouldn’t be a luxury,” says Emily A. Thomas, PhD, associate director of auto safety at Consumer Reports. “We think every automaker should offer the same level of safety regardless of price point, whether that be to help you avoid a crash or protect you during a crash.”
Although the average new car sells for around $50,000, all of these vehicles have starting prices below $35,000. The least expensive model starts at $24,115 before adding the destination charge. The list below is free, but Consumer Reports members can see even more, including our exclusive road test and reliability data. Many of the vehicles listed below are CR Recommended. Recommended vehicles must excel in owner satisfaction, road tests, and reliability, among other factors.
Regardless of your budget, Thomas recommends buying as much safety as you can afford. And don’t assume that more expensive vehicles are safer. “Some new luxury models have confusing controls or long braking distances,” she says. “On the other hand, many lower-priced used models have automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, and top scores in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests.”
Mazda3
Mazda CX-30
Hyundai Tucson
Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda Civic Si
Hyundai Kona
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
Hyundai Sonata
Honda Accord Hybrid
Toyota Camry
Toyota Prius
Acura Integra
Nissan Rogue
More on Car Safety
• Find the Safest New Car Using Consumer Reports’ Safety Verdict
• Safest Car Brands Ranked by CR’s Safety Verdict
• How to Escape Your Car If the Electronic Door Handle Fails
• CR’s Car Seat Buying Guide & Ratings
• Best Infant Car Seats
• Best All-in-One Car Seats
• Best Booster Seats for Kids
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