Looking for a Safe Pre-Owned SUV? Consider These Fantastic Models

Shopping for a used SUV doesn’t have to mean settling for less. With the right model, you can get everything you’re looking for at an affordable price. As your used car dealer near Ballston Spa, we here at DePaula Ford are here to help you find something that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations. Today, we’re going to take a look at five SUVs that stand out for their safety tech so that you can drive with confidence.

#1 – The Ford Explorer

Ford’s spacious Explorer, a midsize SUV with three rows of seating, entered a new generation for the 2020 model year. This came with a number of upgrades, giving the SUV sharper styling, more agile handling, and a quieter cabin. Its infotainment system comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and should still serve the needs of modern drivers today.

This recent generation was also the first to come standard with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of driver assistance features. All trims get forward collision warning to warn you about potential forward collisions, with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection that springs into action if you take too long to do so yourself, a blind spot information system to keep you safe while changing lanes on the highway, and rear cross-traffic assist to help you back out of parking spaces while staying aware of your surroundings.

To ensure the rearview camera remains usable, even on dusty roads, a built-in lens washer comes standard. In addition to systems designed to prevent you from getting into an accident in the first place, the Explorer also has post-impact braking to keep you safe even if you are part of a collision. The 2020 Explorer also comes standard with hill start assist, which prevents you from slipping backwards as you move your foot from the brake to the gas pedal, something that can come in handy if you’re ever stopped on a steep incline.

While there are more optional features you might find in your search, one thing that really makes this model stand out is its extensive list of standard safety tech. No matter what trim you opt for, you’ll be getting everything you need to drive with confidence, whether you’re cruising around Ballston Spa or heading out on a road trip.

#2 – The Honda CR-V

Compact SUVs are popular because they deliver the versatile interior and high driving position of an SUV without taking up too much space or costing too much money. The Honda CR-V is a solid choice in this field, well-rounded with modern tech, quality construction, and solid fuel economy, especially if you opt for the hybrid powertrain that was introduced for the 2020 model year.

The hybrid wasn’t the only new thing in the CR-V lineup that year. Several driver assist features were also added, some standard and some available on higher trims. All trims have forward collision warning with automatic braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, a road departure mitigation braking system, and automatic high-beam headlights. Adaptive cruise control, which automatically slows to maintain a safe following distance between you and the vehicle ahead, is also standard across the lineup, which isn’t a given for models made at this time (it’s not even guaranteed with new models today).

One thing that makes the CR-V stand out as a used option is Honda’s impeccable reputation for long-term reliability. Even a model that has a high figure on the odometer should have plenty of life left in it, working hard to keep you safe for a long time yet to come.

#3 – The Mazda CX-5

In the popular field of compact SUVs, the Mazda CX-5 distinguishes itself with its upscale features, curb appeal, and sporty attitude. While it’s on the small side for the class, its comfortable cabin should keep you happy, and its responsive driving dynamics are top-notch.

For the 2018 model year, the CX-5 added a variety of driver assistance tools to its base trim, making safety standard across the lineup. You’ll find dynamic stability control, hill launch assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert on all 2018 models, with available features on higher trims including automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

As you might have noticed, it’s not the list of features itself that makes the CX-5 stand out—it’s the model year when they became standard fare. Since Mazda has long positioned itself as an upscale brand, they often make moves like this a bit ahead of the curve. This comes in handy when you’re shopping for a used SUV, since you can save money by opting for an older model without sacrificing features that you want to have to keep you safe as you drive around Ballston Spa.

#4 – The Chevrolet Equinox

Another compact SUV, the Chevy Equinox, is reliable and a good value. It has plenty of space for passengers to stretch out and bring cargo along for the ride, and its tech is intuitive and quick to respond. While it doesn’t provide a ton of power, it drives nicely and delivers a comfortable ride.

Like many of the other models on this list, the Equinox got a new slate of standard safety features for the 2020 model year. This lineup is fairly standard, including forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking with front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a following distance indicator.

On top of that, there’s another feature that really helps Chevy models stand out from the crowd: Teen Driver. This system is designed to help you safely teach your kids to drive using the family SUV, a time-honored tradition that has long been anxiety-inducing. While Teen Driver can’t fully take away a parent’s worries as their little ones grow more independent, it can make sure that several safety systems can’t be turned off, prevent teens from blasting music as they cruise around Ballston Spa, and provide an in-vehicle report card to help parents coach their new drivers.

All of this is linked to a designated key fob, so teens and adults can easily share the car. While this feature isn’t as widely applicable as driver assistance, it’s a fairly unique feature that parents appreciate. If you have a kid who’s getting close to being able to take the test to get their permit, it might be a good idea to consider a used Chevy (you can find Teen Driver on just about any model, including the brand’s other SUVs).

#5 – The Hyundai Kona

Whether you often park in tight spaces on the streets of Ballston Spa or you have a tight budget, a subcompact SUV has your back. The Hyundai Kona is a reliable option that’s well-appointed for its class. With its smaller size, powerful engine, and sharp styling, it looks like a vehicle with a higher price tag.

Recent models from 2019 and higher come standard with driver assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor that gives you a warning when you’re starting to get tired or distracted, so you can pull over and take a quick coffee break before getting back on the road. This model was also named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, thanks to its crashworthy design. With so much peace of mind tucked into a small package, the Kona is a solid pick for anyone looking to downsize their SUV without downplaying safety.