The Safest Small SUV Is 1 of the Least Popular Models in Its Segment
Small SUVs are great for families. There are plenty of small SUVs on the market that are practical and affordable. Safety is also an extremely important factor when choosing a small SUV. The safest small SUV is far from the most popular model.
The safest small SUV isn’t the best-selling SUV
How do you determine how safe an SUV is? Organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conduct tests to determine how different vehicles would fair in the event of an accident. This testing, along with additional research, allows many automotive publications to rank small SUVs from least to most safe.
According to U.S. News & World Report, the Mitsubishi Outlander is the safest small SUV. It’s considered the safest because of its high IIHS safety scores and a long list of standard safety features.
The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander comes standard with a driver-attention warning, rear parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. It also features forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning.
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is an IIHS top safety pick. It got good scores for crashworthiness, crash avoidance and mitigation, and seat belts. The Outlander will keep occupants safe, but does that make it popular?
The safest small SUV isn’t the most popular
The most popular small SUV in the world is the Toyota RAV4. The RAV4 may not be the safest SUV in its segment, but it’s safe enough for most drivers.
The 2023 Toytota RAV4 starts at $27,975. It uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to make 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The RAV4 gets 27 miles per gallon in the city and 35 miles per gallon on the highway.
The small SUV comes standard with a soft-touch dash and armrests, hill start assist control, and full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control. It also includes lane tracing assist, road sign assist, and a tire pressure monitor system.
Car and Driver praises the RAV4’s standard driver-assistance features and driving demeanor. U.S. News & World Report complements its spacious seating and stellar fuel economy.
The Toyota RAV4 has held onto the throne in recent years despite being challenged by more affordable small SUV nameplates. Models like the Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-50 are worthy challengers for the RAV4 in 2023.
Should you get a 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander?
The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander starts at $27,595. It uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to make 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. It gets 24 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway.
Mitsubishi’s SUV is more expensive than small SUVs that outperform it in rankings, like the Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage, and Hyundai Tucson. It isn’t as powerful as some of its rivals. There are small SUVs that are more efficient as well. The Mitsubishi Outlander is safe, but there are other small SUVs that consumers enjoy more based on popularity and sales. So, it may be the safest option in its segment, but it isn’t likely to outsell the RAV4 anytime soon.
