Everyone wants to know the vehicle they are traveling in is safe. Unfortunately, major catastrophic traffic accidents do happen, and each year, thousands of people are affected. Choosing a safe used model increases your odds of limiting damage during a collision. Fortunately, each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an agency of the US Department of Transportation, performs safety tests on most passenger vehicles. It then releases the results of those tests on its website so that dealers and consumers can see which vehicles are the safest.
If you are like most drivers in Martinsville, driving a safe vehicle is a priority. This is the same whether you commute to work every day in Indianapolis, need a car to get to school, use your vehicle as a family car, or just want something for weekend driving. Accidents can happen at any time, which is why we are proud to offer Martinsville drivers some of the safest used cars available today. At DriveHubler Certified Pre-Owned, we carry practically every make and model of used sedans, SUVs, coupes, pickup trucks, and minivans. This allows you to find the vehicle you want at a very affordable price. Each used model also comes with a complimentary Carfax vehicle history report, so you can make an educated decision about the used car you are considering buying from us. So, if you are looking for used cars for sale near Martinsville, we are the dealer for you.
What Is the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings System?
In 1978, the NHTSA began testing passenger vehicles to determine their safety in front-end collisions. This involved using crash test dummies placed inside the passenger compartment of most passenger vehicles, which then encountered a simulated frontal impact. This showed the technicians what would happen to passengers in that collision. Before this time, drivers had no way of knowing which models were the safest when it came to traffic accidents.
Since then, the NHTSA has expanded its testing regimen to include side impacts and rollovers. This is because not all collisions are front-end in nature, and the true safety of a vehicle can only be seen by subjecting a model to impacts from all different angles. Also, in 1993, to make the results more understandable to consumers, the NHTSA began using a 5-Star Safety Ratings system, giving the models with the best protection five stars for each test. The more stars a vehicle receives, the safer it will be in an impact. The top models that rate five stars in all of the different tests receive an overall score of five stars.
Folks from Martinsville should keep this in mind when looking for the safest cars. The good news is that the NHTSA website provides a place to search for the make, model, and year of the vehicle you are considering, including the ability to search by Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), so you can see how the specific used vehicle you are interested in performs. This is also one of the advantages of buying used, as the NHTSA may not have completed testing of the new model you are considering.
5-Star SUVs
Probably the broadest of all categories are SUVs. You can find compact and subcompact SUVs that are ideal for students at Indiana University and commuters rolling down I-69, with their exceptional fuel economy, as well as three-row models that will work well for families. No matter what your driving needs happen to be, Martinsville motorists will be happy to know that they can find a used SUV that received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA.
Compact SUVs are one of the fastest-growing categories in the automotive world. Drivers have discovered that these nimble models provide you with the roominess of an SUV with the drivability and comfort features of a sedan. Three of the most popular models are also three of the safest. The Chevy Equinox, Ford Escape, and Honda CR-V consistently receive 5-star safety ratings, with features such as blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, and more helpful tools in their advanced safety suites.
Sometimes, you need a little more space. This is why drivers look for midsize and full-size SUVs. If you are a daily driver who enjoys a little more luxury, the two-row Lincoln Nautilus provides advanced comfort and convenience features, all in one spectacularly safe model. For family drivers, there is nothing that compares to three-row models like the Ford Expedition, Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Kia Telluride. These provide space for up to eight passengers, so you will have plenty of room for the kids and their friends. Best of all, you will have peace of mind that you are riding in a safe vehicle, as each of these models has received five stars from the NHTSA, with available features, such as 360-degree camera systems and automatic high beams.
5-Star Sedans
When the NHTSA first started running these tests, most people in Morgan County were driving sedans. While this model type is not as popular as SUVs and pickups anymore, they still make an excellent option for drivers, especially if you are looking to buy a used model. A compact sedan like the Toyota Corolla is not just affordable; it delivers exceptional fuel economy as well. It has also received top marks from the NHTSA with features like adaptive cruise control and lane departure alerts. For drivers who want a roomier model, midsize sedans are a great choice. The Nissan Altima, Chevy Malibu, Nissan Maxima, Toyota Camry, and Honda Accord are four models with a long history of providing safety and reliability to drivers.
One of the best ways to get an affordable sedan is to choose a model that was discontinued. Although Ford made the decision to stop building the Fusion in order to focus on trucks and SUVs, it still makes a great choice as a very safe and affordable first car.
5-Star Pickup Trucks
Pickup trucks have quickly become the hottest-selling models in America, and two of the best-selling models are also the safest. The Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 are full-size truck models that will give you exceptional towing and hauling capabilities while providing safe and roomy passenger cabs. These two consistently score 5-star safety ratings, putting them at the top of the pickup truck vehicle class, with features to help make trailering a breeze, as well as the commute down Route 252 more comfortable than ever. Choosing a used model will allow you to stay safe, regardless of whether you are using your truck for work, play, or a little of both.
5-Star Minivans
Up until 20 years ago, the minivan ruled the suburban streets of Martinsville; however, drivers began to discover SUVs, leaving very few options for those who love the minivan. Fortunately, you can find used Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey models on our lot. These two minivans are typically rated five stars in safety by the NHTSA, which is essential as most minivan drivers use them for transporting their most precious cargo, their children.
The Pacifica, for example, showcases the most standard safety and security features in its class when you opt for more recent models. This allows you to have intense peace of mind on any journey. Minivans give you some key advantages. They are easily configurable, so you can switch from transporting kids to moving belongings. Minivans also provide as much interior space as full-size SUVs but are smaller and easier to handle.
5-Star Sport Coupes
Safety and speed are not always considered synonymous. The image most people get when thinking about sports coupes is throwing caution to the wind. However, today’s sporty models also incorporate passive safety features like conveniently located airbags, as well as advanced active driver assistance systems. This is why many of these models rate quite highly in safety ratings.
Three models that deliver speed and acceleration while also providing exceptional passenger safety are the Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, and Dodge Challenger. Each of these has gotten five-star safety ratings from the NHTSA, with features like rear cross-traffic alerts, forward collision alerts, and solid designs to help occupants remain safe while cruising down the highway. This lets you know that you can push the limit on the open road with the understanding that your coupe has been rated highly in various safety tests.
Find Your Next Used Vehicle Here
We carry a vast inventory of most makes and models of used vehicles. This is just a sampling of some of the top models you will find here. Our inventory changes daily, but you should know that when you come here, you will find these and other exceptional SUVs, sedans, trucks, minivans, and coupes that have received 5-star safety ratings from the NHTSA. Come in today and drive home to Martinsville in a safe and affordable used vehicle from us.
