On the subject of automobile security, there is no substitute for the rising demand for automobiles outfitted with lively security techniques that assist drivers and their passengers keep protected on the highway.
Sadly, nevertheless, that stage of security comes at a value for customers stories CR automotive specialists.
“With each mannequin yr, extra automobiles are coming with lively security techniques corresponding to blind spot warning and automated emergency braking. Nevertheless, many automakers proceed to make customers pay additional to get it, and a few do not even embrace these options on the bottom trim line,” says CR analysts of their newest publication.
That is simply improper. Whereas most automakers have lastly made ahead collision warning (FCW) customary tools, many different options are nonetheless elective or not out there on some trim ranges…Customers should not be pressured right into a dearer car simply to remain protected.” —Shopper Stories June 2025
Normal Energetic Security Methods Automotive Consumers 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 automobile in entrance of you. Nevertheless, keep in mind that ahead collision warning alone is not going to mechanically brake for you and shouldn’t be mistaken for Automated Emergency Braking (AEB).
Automated Emergency Braking (AEB): Because the identify suggests, automated emergency braking prompts a automobile’s brakes when a possible collision is detected—with out the driving force really touching the brake pedal. Not solely that, however it additionally will increase the braking pressure if the driving force is just not making use of sufficient pressure to the brakes to forestall a collision. AEB techniques right this moment are additionally designed with sensors to detect pedestrians and cyclists.
Blind Spot Warning (BSW): This can be a system that makes use of cameras, radar, and/or ultrasonic sensors alongside your car to detect automobiles you’ll be able to’t see which are subsequent to or behind your automobile. Within the fundamental system, the driving force will see a visible warning within the sideview mirror. In additional feature-heavy techniques, that warning can also embrace an audible beep or steering wheel vibration in case 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 characteristic 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.
Specifically, automobile customers should be conscious that in lots of older fashions, not all security options got here customary or as an possibility.
Compact SUVs from $25,000 to $35,000 with Normal Energetic Security Methods
With their newest beneficial compact SUV selection for automobile customers, CR analysts have this to say about automobile security options:
“Beneath is our listing of compact SUVs that price between $25,000 and $35,000 and have customary AEB with pedestrian detection and AEB that operates at freeway speeds. A lot of them even have customary BSW and RCTW, although some fashions do not provide these two options on all trim ranges.”
A abstract of these automobiles, together with value, mileage, mannequin class score, and security options, is supplied under. All fashions are listed so as of their Total Rating score from Shopper Stories.
SUBCOMPACT and COMPACT SUVS
1. Subaru Crosstrek 2025
Value Vary: $26,560 – $33,360
CR MPG: Total 29 / Metropolis 20 / Hwy 41 mpg
#1 of 15 Subcompact SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options come customary. BSW and RCTW usually are not out there on the bottom trim; they’re elective on the Premium and Sport, and customary on the remainder of the road.
2. Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid 2025
Value Vary: $28,395 – $31,580
CR MPG: Total 41 / Metropolis 34 / Hwy 47 mpg
#2 of 15 Subcompact SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed AEB options come customary. BSW and RCTW aren’t out there on the bottom Hybrid S however are customary on all different trims.
3. Honda HR-V 2025
Value Vary: $25,400 – $31,000
CR MPG: Total 27 / Metropolis 19 / Hwy 37 mpg
#3 of 15 Subcompact SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options come customary. Neither BSW nor RCTW is offered on the bottom LX mannequin.
4. Mazda CX-30 2025
Value Vary: $24,995 – $36,950
CR MPG: Total 27 / Metropolis 18 / Hwy 37 mpg
#5 of 15 Subcompact SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options in addition to BSW and RCTW.
5. Toyota Corolla Cross 2025
Value Vary: $24,135 – $31,680
CR MPG: Total 28 / Metropolis 21 / Hwy 35 mpg
#6 of 15 Subcompact SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options come customary. BSW and RCTW are unavailable on the bottom trim however are customary on the upper trims.
6. Hyundai Kona 2025
Value Vary: $24,550 – $33,600
CR MPG: Total 26 / Metropolis 18 / Hwy 36 mpg
#7 of 15 Subcompact SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options in addition to BSW and RCTW.
7. Kia Seltos 2025
Value Vary: $24,690 – $31,190
CR MPG: Total 28 / Metropolis 20 / Hwy 35 mpg
#8 of 15 Subcompact SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed AEB options come customary. BSW and RCTW are unavailable on the bottom trim.
8. Ford Bronco Sport 2025
Value Vary: $30,995 – $40,115
CR MPG: Total 25 / Metropolis 17 / Hwy 35 mpg
#9 of 15 Subcompact SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options in addition to BSW and RCTW.
9. Subaru Forester 2025
Value Vary: $29,995 – $43,295
CR MPG: Total 29 / Metropolis 20 / Hwy 39 mpg
#1 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed AEB options come customary. BSW and RCTW aren’t out there on the Base model and are elective solely on the second-tier Premium.
10. Hyundai Tucson Hybrid 2025
Value Vary: $33,465 – $41,295
CR MPG: Total 35 / Metropolis 29 / Hwy 40 mpg
#5 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options in addition to BSW and RCTW.
11. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2025
Value Vary: $28,850 – $40,205
CR MPG: Total 37 / Metropolis 32 / Hwy 41 mpg
#6 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed AEB options come customary. BSW and RCTW usually are not out there on the bottom Hybrid LE.
12. Honda CR-V 2025
Value Vary: $30,100 – $50,000
CR MPG: Total 26 / Metropolis 19 / Hwy 33 mpg
#8 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed AEB options come customary. BSW and RCTW aren’t out there on the bottom LX.
13. Mazda CX-5 2025
Value Vary: $28,770 – $40,800
CR MPG: Total 24 / Metropolis 17 / Hwy 33 mpg
#9 of 32 SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options in addition to BSW and RCTW.
14. Hyundai Tucson 2025
Value Vary: $28,705 – $40,145
CR MPG: Total 26 / Metropolis 18 / Hwy 35 mpg
#10 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options in addition to BSW and RCTW.
15. Nissan Rogue 2025
Value Vary: $28,590 – $39,990
CR MPG: Total 25 / Metropolis 17 / Hwy 34 mpg
#13 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options in addition to BSW and RCTW.
16. Kia Sportage 2025
Value Vary: $27,390 – $38,290
CR MPG: Total 25 / Metropolis 17 / Hwy 34 mpg
#12 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed AEB options come customary. BSW and RCTW aren’t out there on the bottom LX.
17. Kia Sportage Hybrid 2025
Value Vary: $28,790 – $37,790
CR MPG: Total 36 / Metropolis 31 / Hwy 39 mpg
#14 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed AEB options come customary. BSW and RCTW aren’t out there on the bottom LX.
18. Ford Escape 2025
Value Vary: $29,515 – $38,400
CR MPG: Total 26 / Metropolis 17 / Hwy 37 mpg
#17 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options in addition to BSW and RCTW.
19. Mazda CX-50 2025
Value Vary: $30,300 – $43,300
CR MPG: Total 24 / Metropolis 16 / Hwy 33 mpg
#19 of 32 Compact SUVs
Security Methods: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed options in addition to BSW and RCTW.
If you’re available in the market for a used or barely used new automobile, here’s a latest article titled “Greatest Used Automobiles: Shopper Stories’ Prime Picks for June 2025.”
For an extra latest Shopper Stories advice, remember to take a look at the “10 Greatest SUVs You Can Purchase Proper Now for the Highway Journey Forward.”
Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based mostly in Cincinnati who at present researches and restores older automobiles with engine modifications for improved efficiency. He additionally stories on fashionable automobiles (together with EVs) with a deal with DIY mechanics, shopping for and utilizing instruments, and different associated topical automotive restore information. Comply with Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites in addition to on Fb and his automotive weblog “Zen and the Artwork of DIY Automotive Restore” for helpful each day information and matters associated to new and used automobiles and vans.
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