Does the Symmetrical AWD system found in most Subaru vehicles propel this brand to the top of the safety list? You might be surprised where Subaru ranks.
Safety is one of the most important aspects of driving on any road. Although the early days of the automotive industry brought us vehicles void of any safety devices, we’re close to having cars that can drive themselves and keep us safer on the roads. In today’s world, safety is more about avoiding collisions than ever before.
The tech and features in Subaru vehicles make it a safe brand, but where does this automotive brand rank? Let’s find out.
Why should Subaru vehicles rank near the top for safety?
Although Subaru has made a name for itself with the Symmetrical AWD system that comes standard on all models except the BRZ, it’s the addition of safety features that puts this brand near the top of the list. The Subaru Ascent, the largest vehicle in the lineup, features a spacious cabin and impressive driver aids, including adaptive headlights and lane-centering assist. The safety package found in the Ascent earns a perfect score from the NHTSA making it a five-star safety vehicle.
As a brand, Subaru earns the Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, making it one of the top brands from both of the agencies that test and rank vehicles for safety. That said, this brand is listed as only the sixth-safest brand in the U.S. News & World Report list. Why is Subaru listed so low? Let’s look a little closer.
What are the safest car brands?
According to US News, the ten safest car brands are:
- 1. Genesis
- 2. Volvo
- 3. BMW
- 4. Lexus
- 5. Mazda
- 6. Subaru
- 7. Hyundai
- 8. Volkswagen
- 9. Ford
- 10. Audi
When looking at the brands that outranked Subaru, four of the top five are luxury brands. Typically, luxury brands are safer than mainstream brands because of the added safety tech and features that come with the higher prices.
What does this mean for the Subaru safety reputation?
The only way you can find a mainstream vehicle that’s safer than a Subaru, at least if you go by the US News list, is to drive a Mazda. When searching for value and safety in the same package, the Subaru brand gives you exactly what you’re looking for, making it easy to choose from the various models to have a safe vehicle to drive every day.
What is Subaru’s safety system?
Every automaker has a special name for the safety package included in its vehicles. For Subaru, this is the EyeSight system. This system uses various items, including lane centering, along with cameras and sensors to monitor your position in the lane. If you begin to drift toward the edge, the system alerts you and intervenes to steer the vehicle back into the center of the lane.
This system uses several different safety items to create the virtual electronic barrier around your vehicle. The core element of the system is the set of dual color cameras placed near the rearview mirror that continuously scan the road ahead for possible trouble. In addition to the cameras, the EyeSight system helps every Subaru be safer with:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
- Pre-collision braking
- Pre-collision throttle management
The IIHS conducted a study of the safety systems in cars and found that the EyeSight system reduced rear-end crashes with injuries by up to 85 percent. That’s a significant improvement over vehicles without this system.
Which Subaru models are considered the safest?
For the most part, as long as the Subaru vehicle is equipped with the Eyesight safety package, it’s among the safest on the road. The top models from this brand are the Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, Ascent, and Solterra. Every Subaru comes with a standard AWD except the sporty BRZ. This should give most drivers the confidence to enjoy a safe and secure drive on any road.
Why should you be concerned with vehicle safety?
You’re a safe driver; you watch out for others on the road and drive defensively, but not everyone is a safe driver. You never know when you might be in an accident or have a close call. Doesn’t it make sense to have a vehicle that can see the things you might miss? The sensors and cameras in Subaru’s EyeSight system can identify dangers much faster than you can, making it easy for you to enjoy a peaceful drive every time you step inside your new Subaru vehicle.
Which Subaru will you drive?
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