If you’re a safe and a confident small or medium sedan, you are not without options. These sensible four-wheel drive (AWD) cars promise practicality and collision protection, with top marks proving it. In fact, the Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry and other vehicles have been awarded the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ for commendable crashworthiness and overall safety. Here are some of the safest AWD cars with IIHS approval.
- Mazda3
- Kia K5
- Nissan Altim
- Subaru Legacy
- Toyota Camry
Does Mazda3 have AWD?
The Mazda3 not only offers AWD, but also gives you the choice of a sporty sedan or practical hatchback. Better yet, both the sedan and hatchback received the IIHS’s highest rating, the Top Safety Pick+. Barring an “acceptable” error of judgment regarding headlamps in certain finishes, the Mazda3 took home a near-perfect health bill from the safety agency. Of course you have to be happy that the Mazda3 starts higher than most direct competitors; TrueCar says the 2.0 sedan starts at $22,215.
Is the Kia K5 a safe car with AWD?
The Kia K5 is a very safe car. In IIHS testing, the Kia mid-sized sedan achieved a 2022 Top Safety Pick+. In addition, the Kia K5 offers both optional AWD and Kia’s excellent 5-year, 60,000-mile warranty. If you want an affordable car in the mid-range sedan segment with top marks in safety and available AWD, the K5 is a solid choice.
Does the Nissan Altima have AWD?
If you prefer something other than a Kia K5 or Toyota Camry, the Nissan Altima offers optional AWD, unlike its bigger sibling, the Maxima. However, both Nissans achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating. Still, the agency has updated its testing of the 2022 Altima and adjusted its crash-resistance scores from the side.
Disturbingly, the Altima earned many “poor” and “marginal” ratings as officials evaluated the crash-test dummies for possible injury. So while the Nissan Altima maintains its overall rating, you may want to reconsider if safety is your top priority.
Is a Subaru Legacy a safe car with AWD?
The Subaru Legacy earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for its 2022 model year sedan. In its crashworthiness and safety evaluations, the Subaru sedan received “good” ratings in nearly every category and subcategory. While that may not seem impressive, good is the highest individual figure the agency uses for its tests. Plus, the Legacy is the first car on this list to offer four-wheel drive as standard.
Which Toyota Camry is AWD?
While the 2022 Toyota Camry offers front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard, the brand offers its revered midsize sedan with optional AWD. In addition, the 2022 Camry has several finishes with hybrid technology, meaning potential owners can expect a whopping 52 mpg combined. The Toyota Camry from 2022 has also managed to earn a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.
However, as with the Nissan Altima, a revised side impact test resulted in lower individual scores. Still, the IIHS has not revoked Camry’s Top Safety Pick+ rating.
Which car with AWD should you consider?
If you want a small or mid-sized sedan with AWD, you should look to the Kia K5 or Subaru Legacy. Both cars offer excellent crashworthiness and AWD for bad weather. Further, with the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima’s modified side impact scores, Kia or Subaru sedans could literally be safer.
Scroll down to the next article to read more about safe cars!
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