Buying a car can often be one of the most difficult choices a person can make, and especially for those with children, safety can be a main concern. Luckily for consumers, there are a few cars that stand out among the crowd for being the safest each year.
Subaru Impreza
The 2009 Subaru Impreza is in a four-way tie for number 8 on U.S. News' Affordable Small Car rankings, and was an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety "Top Safety Pick" for 2009. Aside from being one of the safest late-model cars on the road, the 2009 Impreza also boasts a healthy 170-horsepower boxer engine. Fuel economy could be better at 20 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway, but overall, the Impreza is a good choice for those who need safety and performance on a budget.
Honda Civic
The 2009 Honda Civic four-door models also earned an IIHS "Top Safety Pick" for 2009. The two-door model did somewhat worse, earning only average ratings on side impact crash tests. In addition to earning acclaim for safety, the 2009 Civic came in at number 2 on U.S. News' Affordable Small Car rankings, and is a Consumer Guide Best Pick. If gas economy is a concern, the Civic is a decent pick with a respectable 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on highways.
Volkswagen Rabbit
With a 170-horsepower five-cylinder engine, the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit is one of the quickest subcompact cars on the market, and one of the safest. The Rabbit earned a four-out-of-five-star rating for front and side impact tests, as well as in rollover tests, by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and was a IIHS "Top Safety Pick." If you're looking for outstanding reliability, you might want to look elsewhere. The Rabbit earned a 5 out of 10 Predicted Reliability rating from J.D. Power and Associates.
Toyota Corolla
The 2010 models of the Toyota Corolla continue the tradition of safety and reliability people have come to expect from these cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2010 Corolla an impressive five out of five stars for driver's protection in side impact crashes, and it received an IIHS "Top Safety Pick." The 2010 Toyota Corolla doesn't offer much in the performance department, with either a 132-horsepower four-cylinder engine, or a slightly larger 148-horsepower engine.
Ford Focus
The well-rounded 2009 Ford Focus two-door is another IIHS "Top Safety Pick," while the four-door model earned a rating of average on side impact crash tests. Aside from being safe, the Focus has a decent amount of power for its smaller size, along with the new infotainment SYNC system. The Focus also gets high marks for fuel efficiency, with an EPA-rated 24 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on highways.
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