Many car buyers count safety as their top priority when shopping for a new car. As important as it is, the criteria that should be understood before making a selection aren’t always clear.
To help car buyers find safe and reliable vehicles, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety continues to leave nothing to chance by putting today’s newest cars through a battery of intensive safety tests.
Based on their performance in these tests, cars may receive the Top Safety Pick rating by ranking “Good” for their main testing criteria. Alternatively, the IIHS gives its highest rating of Top Safety Pick + to cars that earn good ratings in the five main criteria, as well as a superior rating for their front crash prevention safety features.
We have a selection of midsize and midsize luxury cars that have received the IIHS Top Safety Pick + rating for 2016, so check it out and take your pick.
2016 Chrysler 200
Photo by Greg Gjerdingen / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
With an MSRP starting at $22,115, the 2016 Chrysler 200 is one of the most affordable IIHS Top Safety Pick + midsize cars on the market. The model that received the rating had optional front crash prevention, something to remember when considering this vehicle.
Its sleek, angular body houses the car’s powerful 2.4L I4 engine that sports 184 HP and 178 ft-lb torque. It gets 23 miles to the gallon for city driving and an impressive 36 miles for highway. With its nine-speed automatic transmission and rotary e-shift technology, it garners favor with car buyers for its ease of handling, comfort and speed.
2016 Honda Accord 2-door Coupe
Photo by Ryan Hildebrand on Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0.
The IIHS gives its Top Safety Pick + rating to the 2016 Honda Accord 2-door Coupe equipped with optional front crash prevention. Starting at $23,875, this coupe features a sleek, sporty, accentuated body and comes equipped with all-leather interiors.
With its roomy interior, the 2016 Honda Accord 2-door Coupe can seat five passengers comfortably and is a top-rated choice in the class of family sedans. All the models (except the base LX) have a 60/40 split rear seat, and come with a 7-inch touchscreen ready to host Apple Car Play or Android Auto. The 3.5 liter V-6 engine and 278 HP provide enough power to make every drive fun. The Accord continues to impress with an abundance of room, a high number of features, responsive handling, and powerful, yet fuel-efficient engines (a rating of 34 miles to the gallon on the highway and 21 miles per gallon for city driving speaks for itself).
2016 Nissan Altima
Photo by Bull-Doser on Wikimedia Commons / CC0 1.0.
With a price tag of $22,500, the 2016 Nissan Altima gets its IIHS Top Safety Pick + rating when equipped with optional front crash prevention. Its 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder 182 HP engine provides solid acceleration and handling, and the fuel economy of 27 MPG city and 37 MPG highway is a strong selling point. The sophisticated, aerodynamic design and a black leather interior makes it not only comfortable, but enjoyable to the eye as well.
2016 Subaru Outback
Photo by Bull-Doser on Wikimedia Commons / CC0 1.0.
As with the other midsize cars that made this list, the 2016 Subaru Outback received the IIHS Top Safety Pick + rating when equipped with front crash prevention.
With a MSRP just under $25,000, it’s affordable, good looking and safe. The Outback has been completely redesigned just a year ago and comes packed with new equipment. The steering was retuned and feels much better than previous models. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, a towing capacity of 2700 pounds and generous 73.3 cubic feet of storage space, you have a winner when it comes to weekend getaways. 25 MPG city and 33 MPG city fuel economy and easy handling thanks to its all-wheel drive capabilities make it a favorite among many buyers. Add in the new emergency assistance connectivity available with its Starlink system and you have yourself a winner.
2016 Volkswagen Jetta
Photo by Bull-Doser on Wikimedia Commons / CC0 1.0.
The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta with its optional front crash prevention is another IIHS Top Safety Pick + winner. This car has a starting MSRP of $17,895 and gets an impressive 39 MPG for highway driving and 28 MPG for city, which make it an affordable and fun drive.
With its six-speed automatic transmission, 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and 150 HP, you will have smooth sailing wherever you go. The 4-corner independent suspension system contributes to safety and makes handling fun and enjoyable. Safety isn’t the only thing Jetta offers; its looks are amazing as well. With its classic sedan appearance, the Jetta can come with a black interior that speaks of elegance and utility.
2016 BMW 2 series
Photo by Navigator84 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
The 2016 BMW 2 series received the IIHS’s Good rating in the Luxury Midsize category. With the MSRP starting at $33,150, it’s really a bargain when considering the performance, safety and luxury options that come with it. With its 240 HP 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, it can hold any curve you brave. The power under the hood combined with great steering and response make it a favorite among many auto enthusiasts who wish to plunge into the world of luxury vehicles.
2016 Lexus ES 350
With its optional front crash prevention safety feature, the 2016 Lexus ES 350 ranks as another luxury midsize car winner of the IIHS Top Safety Pick + rating. This car has an MSRP starting at $38,900, comes with a 268 HP engine, and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 7.1 seconds.
With its elegant and minimalistic appearance, this four-door sedan offers options of black, brown, and tan leather interiors. It can seat five people comfortably, and has a heap of tech features that make every drive a joy.
A car’s comfort and appearance should not come at the expense of its safety features. You can get a new and reliable car that looks good, handles well, and offers top-quality convenience and comfort for a reasonable price. Consider any of these IIHS Top Safety Picks + and you will always pick a winner.
The post Safest Cars of 2016 Part II: Honda Accord, Subaru Outback and More Top Picks From the Midsize Category appeared first on Proctor Cars Magazine.