Less than a decade ago, buyers who wanted top-notch safety features had to dig deep in their pockets to get them. But today’s vehicles offer more safety and technology than ever before, making it more affordable than ever for car shoppers to get the safety they need and deserve. And some brands like Toyota and Honda are making a name for themselves by combining two of the most important car-shopping factors: affordability and safety.

Experts at U.S. News recently compiled a list of today’s most-affordable vehicles that also offer the most in safety. The “23 Cheapest Cars With Adaptive Cruise Control in 2020” list highlights the safest cars for less than $25,000, and it’s obvious that some brands offer more safety for less money.

Vehicles from Toyota and Honda made up for nearly half of U.S. News’ list, with 10 combined vehicles between the two brands. Here’s everything you need to know about the five best-rated, cheapest, and safest Toyota and Honda vehicles that made the list.

The 2020 Honda Insight

The 2020 Honda Insight falls just outside the top 10, but it still has an impressive overall score from U.S. News at 8.0/10. Like the majority of Honda’s new vehicles, all Insight models come standard with the Honda Sensing suite of safety technology, which includes everything from adaptive cruise control to automatic emergency braking.

But buyers don’t have to spend more to get all that tech as even base Honda Insight starts at just over $23,000. In fact, the hybrid Honda Insight stands as one of the most fuel-efficient and competitively priced vehicles in the EV segment.

The 2020 Toyota C-HR

With a starting price of under $22,000, the Toyota C-HR is one of the most affordable subcompact SUVs. Combine that with its safety and the C-HR lands into the eighth spot on the list. According to U.S. News, the 2020 Toyota C-HR may not be one of the most impressive in its segment, with a cool overall score of 6.5/10, but it does offer “many standard tech and safety features.”

In fact, the C-HR scored highest in the safety category, receiving a 9.7/10 for its crash safety rating and standard Toyota Safety Sense suite of safety features. Although not one of the smoothest subcompact SUVs, the Toyota C-HR is certainly one of the safest.

The 2020 Honda Civic

The Honda Civic has been one of the brand’s most popular vehicles for decades, and the newest 2020 Honda Civic has certainly kept up with the times. Making the seventh spot on the list, the Honda Civic starts at a super-affordable $20,000. Although higher trim Civics will certainly earn buyers more features, quality safety features carry through to all models.

Most safety tech, like collision and departure warnings, mitigation braking, and adaptive cruise control come standard on all Civic models. Higher trims, such as the EX and Touring trims, earn even standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rain-sensing wipers. The Honda Sensing suite of safety features, a low base price, and incredible performance help earn the Civic an overall score of 8.5/10. 

The 2020 Toyota Corolla

Both the gas-powered and hybrid versions of the Toyota Corolla made U.S. News’ list of safe, affordable vehicles, although the gas-only Corolla fared better and fell into the third spot on the list. According to U.S. News, the 2020 Toyota Corolla has a slightly lower overall score than others on the list, at 8.0/10. But the Corolla manages to perform well in most categories, making it a practical choice for any buyer.

With a score of 9.8/10 in safety, the 2020 Toyota Corolla excels in crash testing, as well as standard safety features. The Corolla is also a U.S. News finalist for the “2020 Best Compact Car for the Money” award, with a low starting price of around $19,500.

The 2020 Honda Fit

Out of all Toyota and Honda vehicles on the list, the 2020 Honda Fit ranks the highest at No. 2. It also receives the highest overall score from U.S. News, 8.7/10, and comes with the lowest base pricing. At less than $18,000, the 2020 Honda Fit is affordable and safe, offering a variety of safety features.

Unlike other Honda vehicles, buyers will have to invest in higher trims to get things like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. But even higher trims start at less than $20,000, making the 2020 Honda Fit a true bargain. The 2020 Honda Fit is even U.S. News’ winner of the “2020 Best Subcompact Car for the Money” award.