10 Safest Cars under $30,000

2016 Acura ILX ・ Photo by Acura

Safety is quickly becoming one of the top priorities for new car shoppers. With that in mind, automakers are also continuing to make safety a top priority across all models that they produce. Many manufacturers and new car shoppers are also starting to realize that safety doesn't have to come with the high price tag.

From compact cars, midsize the sedans, to SUVs, some of America's best-selling vehicles have achieved excellent safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Insurance Institute of Highway Safety crash test rating system. Some of these cars carry a price tag of less than $20,000 and some carry a price tag more than $25,000. That proves the point that you don't have to pay an exorbitant amount of money for a luxury car with advanced safety features.

So if you're in the market for a car and safety is one of your top priorities, check out our list of top 10 safest cars under $30,000.

2017 Toyota Camry

The 2017 Toyota Camry is one of the best-selling vehicles in the United States. It has achieved the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rating when equipped with the optional front-crash prevention and auto high-beam headlights. While it comes standard with a backup camera and 10 airbags, you can add on additional driver-assist technologies like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Camry also comes standard with vehicle stability control, traction control, antilock brake system, electronic brake distribution, and brake assist. Toyota says that the Camry's front seats are designed to help reduce the risk of neck injuries in rear-end collisions - which makes this an even safer midsize sedan to park in your driveway.

Photo by Toyota

2017 Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla has long been the go-to option for parents that are looking to buy their teen drivers an affordable and safe car. The 2017 Toyota Corolla is also rated Top Safety Pick Plus by the IIHS, and there is a good reason why. Besides the long list of standard features that are available on all Toyota Corolla trim levels, the 2017 Toyota Corolla comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS). With prices starting at $18,500, the Toyota Corolla comes standard with a pre-collision system, lane departure alert with steering assist, a rearview camera system, automatic high-beams, radar guided cruise control, and much more. While all those advanced driver assist features are optional or only available on certain trim-levels on its competitors, the 2017 Toyota Corolla is raising the benchmark by making them all standard options.

Photo by Toyota

2017 Honda Fit

The 2017 Honda Fit is one of our favorite subcompact cars. Besides its impressive drive quality and a highway rating of 36 miles per gallon, the Honda Fit is one of the safest subcompact cars on the market. The fully loaded Honda Fit EX-L, which starts at $20,365, comes standard with a rearview camera, cruise control, Honda's LaneWatch system, daytime running lights, brake assist, antilock braking system, vehicle stability assist, tire-pressure monitoring system, front-side airbags, side-curtain airbags and much more. It is definitely one of the most fun-to-drive and safest subcompact cars on the road.

Photo by Honda

2017 Mazda Mazda3

The 2017 Mazda3 is quickly becoming one of the best compact sedans on the market. It comes standard with front airbags, front seat-mounted side -impact airbags, whiplash-reducing headrests, hill-launch assist, brake assist, dynamic stability control, a rearview camera, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and much more. Available driver-assist technologies include adaptive front headlights, automatic high-beam control, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. In our opinion, the Mazda3 is one of the sleekest-looking compact sedans on the market and one of the safest. It is also a winner of the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rating.

Photo by Mazda

2017 Hyundai Elantra

The 2017 Hyundai Elantra is making noise in the compact sedan segment; depending on the model you pick, there are numerous packages available containing advanced safety technologies. The Hyundai Elantra SE can be had with the Popular Entertainment Package or the Tech Package which adds a rearview camera, blind spot detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Elantra Limited model can be ordered with the Ultimate Package which adds adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam assist. No matter how you choose to spec out the 2017 Hyundai Elantra, you can park one in your driveway for well under $30,000.

Photo by Hyundai

2017 Subaru WRX

The 2017 Subaru WRX is a perfect example of not spending a lot of money for a lot of bang for your buck in terms of performance, comfort, and safety. A winner of the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating, the Subaru WRX can be ordered with the Starlink Safety and Security package, EyeSight driver assist package, blind-spot notification, and rear cross -raffic alert. The best part is that you'll enjoy all this safety with 268 horsepower under the hood and a starting price tag of $26,995.

Photo by Subaru

2017 Chevrolet Malibu

With a starting price tag of just $21,680, the Chevrolet Malibu is one of the best and most affordable midsize sedans on the market. While comfort and quality are some of the top priorities for the Chevrolet Malibu, safety is also on the top of its list. The Chevrolet Malibu comes standard with 10 airbags, daytime running lights, stability control with brake assist, OnStar crisis assist, OnStar roadside assistance, and much more. The Chevrolet Malibu can be ordered with the Confidence Package which adds front and rear park assist, forward collision alert, distance indicators, and automatic highbeam assist. The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu is also a winner of the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating.

Photo by Chevrolet

2017 Honda Accord

When it comes to midsize sedans, it's a mistake to avoid considering the Honda Accord as a viable option. Not only is it one of the most reliable and affordable midsize sedans on the market, but it is also one of the safest. The 2017 Honda Accord comes standard with a full range of safety features, including a rearview camera. Some trim levels include Honda's standard or optional LaneWatch system. The main highlight on the 2017 Honda Accord is the availability of the Honda Sensing driver-assist package across all trim levels. The package adds an array of driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, road-departure mitigation system, collision mitigation braking system, and lane-keeping assist. The Honda Sensing package is available to purchase across all models and is standard on the Honda Accord Touring. Prices for the 2017 Honda Accord start at $22,455. The model is also a winner of the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rating.

Photo by Honda

2017 Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima is one of the best-selling midsize sedans in the United States. Not only is it one of the most comfortable and most reliable vehicles in its segment, but it is also one of the safest. The 2017 Nissan Altima is a recipient of the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rating thanks to its long list of standard safety features. Depending on the trim level you choose, you can add on advanced driver-assist technologies like a rear-view camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and much more.

2017 Acura ILX

Who says you can't have luxury and safety for under $30,000? Well, we'd like to introduce you to the new 2017 Acura ILX. With prices starting at just $27,990, the 2017 Acura ILX offers a substantial list of standard and optional safety features. Standard safety features include a multi-view rearview camera, a tire pressure monitoring system, and vehicle stability assist. If you want advanced features on your Acura ILX, you'll need to add the AcuraWatch Plus system. The AcuraWatch Plus system adds on adaptive cruise control, road-departure mitigation, lane-keep assist, collision-mitigation braking system, blind-spot monitoring, and rear-cross traffic alert, and still stays under $30,000. If you're in the market for an entry-level luxury sedan that comes with all the safety bells and whistles, the Acura ILX is one car that should be on your shopping list.

Photo by Acura