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Car and Driver recently reported that the Toyota Camry, Subaru Outback, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Impreza, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Lincoln Continental, Kia Optima, Kia Forte sedan, Hyundai Sonata, and Genesis G80 were the 10 vehicles awarded both a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the top five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
With a new year starting off, automakers are preparing for another line of models with updated features. Many of the new amenities included in most vehicles are safety-focused, and they offer drivers an additional sense of security on the road. Specific features are only now being released while other older technologies are becoming more commonplace.
Safest Cars for 2019
Kelley Blue Book reported that the top 12 sedans with the best NHTSA safety ratings were:
- 2019 Kia Optima
- 2019 Hyundai Sonata
- 2019 Volkswagen Jetta
- 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- 2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid
- 2019 Toyota Camry
- 2019 Honda Civic
- 2019 Toyota Corolla
- 2019 Honda Fit
- 2019 Honda Accord Hybrid
- 2019 Honda Accord
- 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV
According to Kelley Blue Book, the top 10 sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) included:
- 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC
- 2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid
- 2019 Acura MDX
- 2019 Honda HR-V
- 2019 Mazda CX-6
- 2019 Audi Q7
- 2019 Audi Q5
- 2019 Ford Expedition
- 2019 Honda Pilot
- 2019 Honda CR-V
Safety Features That Are Becoming More Standard in 2019
NHTSA recommends four driver assistance technologies, which it says are indicative of features that have met NHTSA safety standards. The features include:
- Automatic Emergency Braking — An automatic emergency braking (AEB) system alerts the driver when it detects a possible rear-end crash. It also supplements a driver’s braking, and some systems can also automatically apply brakes.
- Rearview Video System — A rearview video system (RVS) is also known as a backup camera. It provides video images of the area behind a vehicle when a driver shifts into reverse. The field of view is usually 10 feet by 20 feet.
- Lane Departure Warning — A lane departure warning (LDW) system uses cameras to monitor lane markings, and an audio, visual, or other alert notifies a driver if they leave their lane.
- Forward Collision Warning — A forward collision warning (FCW) system warns a driver if they are too close to the vehicle in front of them while driving at an unsafe speed. The system cannot, however, take control of the vehicle. An FCW system will monitor the speed of the vehicle being operated as well as the speeds of cars in front of them and the distance between the two.
Another feature that is becoming more common is adaptive cruise control (ACC). ACC is a cruise control system that also has a collision avoidance system, and speeds are automatically adjusted when the vehicle is in traffic.
Blind spot detection is another beneficial feature that is also becoming more widely available. Some systems ae even more advanced. For example, the Hyundai Santa Fe has a Safety Exit Assist feature that prohibits children from opening rear doors, possibly preventing many bicycle “dooring” crashes.
If you suffered severe injuries or your loved one was killed in a car accident in South Carolina, make sure that you contact Schiller & Hamilton as soon as possible. Call us or contact us online right now to set up a free consultation.