Finding the Safest Late-Model Used Cars
Image caption: For those in the market for a pre-owned vehicle, the 2014-15 Acura TLX is the safest used car model according to data compiled by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Leasing, rather than buying a car outright and financing the cost, has become an increasingly popular option for a growing number of consumers, now accounting for about a third of all new-vehicle transactions. That’s good news for used-car buyers as it means there will be a record number of two- and three-year low-mileage off-lease used cars and crossovers heading to dealers’ lots and selling for lower prices in the months ahead.
As it is, buying a late-model used vehicle is already an especially good deal, in that it’s typically lost anywhere from a third to a half of its original value. Expect to find the best off-leased used-car bargains in and around cities that have the greatest volume of vehicles coming off lease, specifically the New York, Los Angeles, and Detroit metro areas. But buying a pre-owned model, even one that comes with a warranty, is always punctuated with question marks, primary among them is which late-model used vehicles are the safest choices?
To that end we sifted through test data compiled by the insurance industry-supported Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Arlington, VA to identify the cars and crossover SUVs from the 2014 and 2015 model years that not only ace all of its frontal, side, roof, and head restraint crash tests but earn best-in-class marks for helping drivers avoid getting into crashes in the first place when they’re properly equipped.
We’re featuring 15 used vehicles from the 2014 and 2015 model years in the accompanying box that received a Top Safety Pick+ designation with a “superior” rating for frontal crash avoidance by the IIHS. You can check the safety ratings for all tested models from current and past years at www.safercar.gov.
Basic frontal collision systems will alert the driver if sensors determine the car is closing in on the vehicle or other obstruction in its path too quickly. More effective are systems that will automatically apply the brakes at full force to help prevent a crash if the driver isn’t reacting quickly enough. Vehicles earning a superior rating are able to avoid a crash or substantially reduce a vehicle’s speed in tests conducted at 12 and 25 mph. (There’s also an “advanced” auto-braking rating given to vehicles that can reduce speeds by just 5 mph in either of the two tests.)
The IIHS found that forward collision warning systems with auto-braking can reduce rear-end crashes by 39 percent and help reduce bodily-injury liability claims from between 14 and 32 percent.
Unfortunately, where they’re available, most frontal crash avoidance systems are still optional and are often limited to the one or two top trim levels in a given model line and can come bundled with other items in costly packages. It’s a good idea to check dealers’ inventories online before headed out to kick the tires to determine whether or not a given model in stock comes equipped with forward auto-braking.
15 Used Cars and Crossovers that Can Avoid Crashes
1. 2014-2015 Acura TLX sedan with Advance Package
2. 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan with Safety Tek Package
3. 2015 Honda CR-V Touring SUV
4. 2015 Hyundai Genesis sedan with Tech Package
5. 2015 Infiniti Q50 sedan with Technology Package or Deluxe Technology Package.
6. 2014-2015 Infiniti Q70 sedan with Technology Package
7. 2014-2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan (standard)
8. 2015 Nissan Murano SUV with Technology Package
9. 2015 Subaru Crosstrek SUV with EyeSight Package
10. 2014-2015 Subaru Forester SUV with EyeSight Package
11. 2015 Subaru Impreza sedan/wagon with EyeSight Package
12. 2014-2015 Subaru Legacy/Outback sedan/wagon with EyeSight Package
13. 2014-2015 Volvo S60 sedan with Technology Package*
14. 2014-2015 Volvo S80 sedan with Technology Package*
15. 2014-2015 Volvo V60 wagon with Technology Package*
* Low-speed “City Safety” system standard. Source: IIHS.
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