Best Sedan Safety Features

When you’re in the market for a new set of wheels, safety features are likely at the top of your list. And experts agree this should be a main priority. 

Safety features in vehicles can be critically important in the event of an accident and reduce the risk of death or serious injury. 

Several of today’s optional advanced car safety technologies will eventually be federally mandated, as seat belts and airbags were. Most of the advanced car safety technologies, like blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist, were developed on the road to creating self-driving cars. Research shows advanced car safety features may reduce the risk of a serious crash by 49% and lower injury risk by 53%.

So, what exactly are you looking for? Where do you start? Fortunately, the basics are likely already covered. Government-mandated safety features include airbags, seatbelts, anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control, and backup cameras. You don’t have to worry about looking for these when purchasing your sedan because they are required to come standard.

Technological advancements are enhancing so much of our daily lives, and today’s vehicles are no exception. Cameras, radar, sensors, and alerts are being added in order to help the driver where possible and keep all passengers safe. These advanced driver assistance systems (ADAs) are touted by Consumer Reports and are a good starting point in your search for safety. 

New Safety Features

The safety features below are some of the most sought-after in today’s sedans. They can be found in sedan models from the last few years. Perfect for that used car you’re looking for. 

Rear Cross Traffic Warning (RCTW)

Rear cross traffic warning or alert is a feature that signals to the driver a vehicle is approaching when the car is in reverse or backing up. The feature may also signal pedestrians, objects, or anything that the sensors pick up behind the vehicle. 

Blind Spot Warning (BSW)

A blind spot warning is a feature that alerts you of a vehicle in your blind spot when your car is moving. The different warning signs may begin with a light on the mirror signaling a vehicle and may beep or alarm if you put your turn signal on to switch lanes. 

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

With Adaptive Cruise Control, the vehicle can assist in braking or accelerating to maintain cruise control, but also staying a safe distance from other vehicles on the road. 

Lane Centering Assistance (LCA)

This feature will assist the driver as necessary to stay within painted lane lines. 

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) 

This feature can detect a potential collision with the car ahead and provides assisted braking in the event the driver is not able to come to a complete stop in time. Certain systems will apply the brakes for pedestrians and objects as well. 

High Speed Warning (HSW)

The High Speed Warning will notify the driver they are speeding with a beeping sound or other noise alert. In some cases, the GPS coordinates identify the speed limit — newer systems use cameras to identify speed limit signs. 

Electronic Stability Control

This feature helps control the vehicle to regain stability with emergency steering maneuvers in the event it veers off the intended path. 

Top Safest Sedans

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are organizations that perform their own set of tests to determine vehicle safety and publish that information for the greater public to use as they search for a car. 

Below is a list of used sedans from these organizations’ top safety picks.

Nissan Altima 

Nissan trademarked its set of safety monitors called "Safety Shield 360" that monitor the front, back, and sides of the car. The Altima is also equipped with an anti-lock brake system, traction and stability control, front side airbags, and side curtain airbags that protect both rows of seating.

Toyota Corolla

The entire set of safety features in the Corolla are designed to limit the driver's distracted driving, making it a favorite of parents for their teen drivers. Some of the Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 features include a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, and dynamic radar cruise control. 

Volvo S60

Luxurious, and safe! The Volvo S60 is beautifully equipped with driver-assist features such as cross-traffic alert and auto-brake, as well as plenty of cameras for the driver’s peace of mind. A security system also anticipates/detects any intrusions and includes an ignition disable feature.

Honda Civic

Popular, sporty, sleek, and a favorite among many — the Civic is equipped with a suite of safety and driver-assistance technologies, such as lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist. Additional features include adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and collision mitigation braking.

Mazda 6

The Mazda 6 is not only a very popular design but also loaded with driver-assist features to help keep a driver alert. Some of the safety technology features include rear cruise control with Stop and Go, smart brake support, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert.