Top 10 Safest Affordable Midsize Cars of 2015

Safety should be an important consideration for anyone buying a new car, but it’s probably your top priority with a family to haul around.

According to IIHS, there are six midsize cars that are moderately priced and have earned Top Safety Pick+ awards, while nine others have earned Top Safety Pick honors. But just because they’ve all earned accolades from IIHS doesn’t mean they’re all equally safe – some performed better than others in certain crash tests.

While the 2015 Mazda 6 is a Top Safety Pick+, it’s the only Top Safety Pick+ vehicle to have scored “acceptable” on the front small overlap crash test. In fact, it’s the only vehicle on this top 10 list that didn’t score the highest “good” rating on all five crash tests. Still, the Mazda6 performs well in the front crash prevention category when equipped with optional equipment, which is how the sedan earned its Top Safety Pick+ rating.

The 2015 Mazda6 is priced from $21,985 including destination and comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 184 hp while returning an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.

The 2015 Chevrolet Malibu is priced from $23,290 and comes standard with a 2.5-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine providing 196 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque but is also available with an optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 259 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The American automaker’s affordable sedan also comes standard with 10 airbags and StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System. It’s worth mentioning that Chevy is hard at work on the next-generation Malibu which is expected to be significantly improved in order to be more competitive in a crowded segment.

The Honda Accord has been synonymous with safety for the past two decades and the 2015 model year is no different. Even though it’s just an IIHS Top Safety Pick, the Accord coupe did score “good” on all five crash tests and comes standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 185 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque with its base-model LX-S priced at $24,595, while a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 can be had with 278 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque. The Accord coupe EX-L V6 is priced from $31,595.

There’s a reason why the Volkswagen Jetta is so popular with its starting MSRP of $17,035 for the entry-level 2.0-liter equipped model with 115 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque while returning 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Also available on the Jetta is a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, while diesel lovers can also choose the German automaker’s 2.0-liter TDI engine with 150 hp. On the Jetta GLI model, there is also the 2.0-liter TSI engine with 210 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque which is priced from $27,740.

The 2015 Toyota Prius v is the safest hybrid available in today’s marketplace according to IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating with “advanced” front crash prevention with optional equipment. Priced from $27,500 the Toyota Prius v is the Japanese automaker’s larger Prius hybrid model and comes equipped with its popular 1.8-liter hybrid powertrain with a total system output of 134 hp. Of course as a hybrid, the Prius v is rated at 44-mpg city and 40-mpg highway and comes standard with seven airbags, whiplash-injury-lessening front seats and a Star Safety System.

Toyota made some bold styling changes to its best-selling sedan but even with its controversial aesthetics, it’s still one of the safest sedans you can buy. Like the Prius v, the Camry also earned an advanced rating for front crash prevention when equipped with optional equipment. Camry shoppers will be pleased to know that the 2015 model year starts from $25,285 and comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 178 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. Those seeking more performance can opt for the Camry V6, which is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 with 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque.

The 2015 model year saw Chrysler’s 200 enter a new generation, helping make the midsize sedan much more competitive in the segment. When equipped with optional safety features, the Chrysler 200 achieves a “superior” rating in front crash prevention, helping it earn a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. The new 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan is priced from $22,795 and comes standard with the American automaker’s 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir II four-cylinder engine with 184 hp that is capable of returning up to 36 mpg on the highway. There’s also the optional 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with 295 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, the Chrysler 200 is the only vehicle in its class to offer a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The 2015 Subaru Outback starts from $25,745 and is one of the safest vehicles available today in the midsize segment. The Outback comes standard with a 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine with 175 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. The more powerful Outback model features a 3.6-liter Boxer six-cylinder engine with 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque while priced from $33,845. Fuel economy for the 2.5-liter engine comes in at 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway while the 3.6-liter engine offers up to 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

Lastly, there’s the 2015 Subaru Legacy, which is not only a Top Safety Pick+ (like the Outback), but has the highest possible rating of superior in front crash prevention with optional equipment. Competitively priced from $22,490, the Legacy shares its powerplants with the offering with the same 2.5- and 3.6-liter engines for the sedan. Helping the Subaru models achieve superior front crash prevention is the company’s EyeSight driver assist technology that utilizes a pair of cameras mounted above the rear-view mirror to monitor traffic, helping react to conditions and even applying the brakes if needed.