If you’re in the market for a family car have I got the post for you. AutoWeb recently ranked ALL the cars out there to help families find cars that cost less, but still work for most families. These are all brand new cars under $25,000 and they found the best of the best.
Why New?
I know what you’re thinking. Why new? Isn’t new more expensive than buying a good used car? It’s true that buying a new car costs more, but the myth of a car losing most of its’ value as soon as you drive it off the lot is not as accurate as it once was.
As I shared in the past we bought my husband’s car new. When looking at used options they were just as expensive if not MORESO than buying new. Depending on what kind of car you’re in the market for you may find the same is true for the car you want to purchase.
Did you know new car loans tend to be cheaper than used car loans? It’s true. Even with good (not excellent) credit you may be able to score a cheap or 0% interest rate on a new car while a used car rate may be as much as 5% more. Over the life of your loan that can add up.
The best way to decide if new is for you is to do the math, look at the models below and compare used car pricing. Be sure to consider maintenance costs for a used vehicle, even with a certified used car you may end up needing repairs sooner than you do with a new car.
How AutoWeb Developed Their Top 10 List
To come up with a list of the safest new family vehicles, AutoWeb looked at curb weight and crash tests scores.
What is curb weight?
In the most basic sense, curb weight — vehicle mass — matters in terms of frontal-impact protection, with heavier vehicles doing a better job of protecting vehicle occupants. As Russ Rader, senior vice president of communications for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), told AutoWeb: “For a family prioritizing overall safety in a variety of crash scenarios, the larger, heavier car is a better choice.”
Researching curb weight isn’t difficult, but understanding automotive engineering — more specifically, how a vehicle protects its occupants in an accident – is not a talent taught in high school. Thankfully, the IIHS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) run dozens of vehicles through a battery of crash tests each year and publish the results.
Other Factors
Beyond scores and testing AutoWeb factored in comfort, practicality, fuel economy and performance. As larger and heavier cars tend to be more expensive, they then drew a line at $25,000.
Based on those parameters, AutoWeb’s Chief Analyst Michael Harley has come up with his list of the “10 safest new family cars you can buy for less than $25,000” – parental instincts will take care of the rest.
One thing you’ll note-no cars below hold more than 5 passengers, so if your family is larger than 4 people (or 5 if you have kids out of car seats) you may have to spend more.
Top 10 Safe Family Cars For Under $25,000
1. 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
When Chevrolet redesigned the Malibu for 2013, it landed in dealerships with a faint thud. Why? Who knows? The Malibu is attractively designed inside and out, it is very safe, and it has a gigantic trunk. Plus, the optional turbocharged engine makes it quick and almost fun to drive. Downsides include cheap interior trim and a cramped rear seat. But given the discounts dealers offer, the few trade-offs might prove quite worthwhile.
Key Specs:
IIHS Rating: Top Safety Pick
NHTSA Rating: 5 stars overall, but with a 4-star frontal impact rating for the front passenger
Base Price: $23,290 including destination
2. 2015 Chrysler 200
Redesigned for 2015, the safe and stylish new Chrysler 200 sets the groundwork for an expansion of the nameplate in years to come. Unfortunately, an Alfa-based platform compromises rear seat space, and dynamic tuning leaves something to be desired. Also, note that the 200’s NHTSA rating applies only to front-drive models, not those equipped with all-wheel drive.
Key Specs:
IIHS Rating: Top Safety Pick
NHTSA Rating: 5 stars overall, but rating does not apply to AWD models
Base Price: $22,795 including destination
3. 2015 Honda Accord
Last year, among everyday car buyers like you and me, the Honda Accord was the best-selling sedan in America. There is good reason for this car’s popularity, as it is safe, roomy, fuel efficient, and affordable. As an added bonus, it is unexpectedly enjoyable to drive. Now, if we could just get the appealing Accord Sport model with more equipment.
Key Specs:
IIHS Rating: Top Safety Pick
NHTSA Rating: 5 stars overall, but with 4-star ratings for driver and front passenger protection in a frontal impact
Base Price: $23,725 with optional continuously variable transmission
4. 2015 Hyundai Sonata
Redesigned for 2015, Hyundai has improved the Sonata midsize sedan in every way except for the car’s sense of style. Gone are the dramatic swoops and curvaceous lines, replaced by wind-tunnel-friendly blandness. Everything else, though, is fantastic, exuding attention to detail. Plus, the trunk is positively enormous, and the warranty is unbeatable.
Key Specs:
IIHS Rating: Top Safety Pick
NHTSA Rating: 5 stars overall
Base Price: $21,975
5. 2015 Mazda 3
A compact car available as a sedan or a five-door hatchback, the Mazda 3 weighs more than 2,900 pounds, making it one of the heavier small cars to perform well in both NHTSA and IIHS testing. It sure doesn’t drive like that, though, especially with the available 2.5-liter engine. Whether or not the small rear seat is going to work for your family is entirely up to you.
Key Specs:
IIHS Rating: Top Safety Pick
NHTSA Rating: 5 stars overall, but with a 4-star rating for the front passenger in a frontal-impact collision
Base Price: $18,815 with the optional automatic transmission
6. 2015 Mazda 6
Can a midsize family sedan be sexy? Yep, and you’re looking at the proof. Great design, coupled with a roomy and comfortable cabin, impressive crash-test ratings, good fuel economy, engaging driving dynamics, and an affordable price tag make the Mazda 6 one of the safest family cars you can buy for less than $25,000. Get the refreshed 2016 model if you want the latest in infotainment technology.
Key Specs:
IIHS Rating: Top Safety Pick
NHTSA Rating: 5 stars overall, but with a 4-star rating for the front passenger in a frontal-impact collision
Base Price: $23,715 with the optional automatic transmission
7. 2015 Subaru Impreza
One of three compact cars to make our list, the lightest version of the Impreza weighs more than 3,000 pounds. An AWD system is standard, a rarity in the small-car segment, and buyers can choose between a sedan and a five-door hatchback. Neither is particularly attractive, but both are safe and ready for what Mother Nature might dole out.
Key Specs:
IIHS Rating: Top Safety Pick
NHTSA Rating: 5 stars overall, but with 4-star ratings for the driver and front passenger in a frontal-impact collision, and for the driver in the side-impact pole test
Base Price: $19,990 with the optional continuously variable transmission
8. 2015 Subaru Legacy
Look no further than the Subaru Legacy if you want the safest, most affordable, and most practical family car available today. Based on current standards, the Legacy couldn’t possibly perform better in crash tests, and it comes with standard all-wheel drive, an attribute certainly not lost on a big portion of the American populace. Roomy inside and equipped with a big trunk, the Legacy is also relatively easy on the eyes, which is unusual for a Subaru.
Key Specs:
IIHS Rating: Top Safety Pick
NHTSA Rating: 5 stars overall
Base Price: $22,790 with the optional continuously variable transmission
9. 2015 Toyota Camry
Toyota argues that it has the best-selling sedan in America, but it includes sales to rental car agencies in its totals, unlike Honda. Either way, there is no denying that the Camry is a popular choice, and for 2015 this car is more stylish than it has been in, like, forever. The interior is still full of cheap materials, though, and the Camry’s sheer ubiquity on the roads somehow makes it more boring than anything else on this list.
Key Specs:
IIHS Rating: Top Safety Pick
NHTSA Rating: 5 stars overall, but with 4-star ratings for the driver in a frontal-impact collision and for the driver in the test of a side impact with a pole
Base Price: $23,795 with the optional continuously variable transmission
10. 2015 Volkswagen Jetta
Weighing nearly 3,000 pounds and sized between traditional compact and midsize sedans, the Volkswagen Jetta is likely the best value on this list of safe family cars. Upgrade to the SE model for a much better engine and driving experience, and you’ve still got cash left over for a touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and a reversing camera, a sunroof, push-button engine starting, bigger wheels, and more. The Jetta also has a trunk that is just as big as larger midsize models.
Key Specs:
IIHS Rating: Top Safety Pick
NHTSA Rating: 5 stars overall, but with 4-star ratings for the driver and front passenger in a frontal-impact collision
Base Price: $19,245 with the optional automatic transmission. Or, $20,915 with an automatic if you want to avoid the truly crappy base engine in favor of the excellent turbocharged 1.8-liter.
What do you think of the list? Did your car make the top 10?
Kelly
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