In today's world, we're blessed with a sea of vehicles that are safer than ever before, thanks to tests like the NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). This comprehensive test looks at the crashworthiness of a vehicle in many different scenarios above and beyond what is required by federal law. Currently, the NHTSA recommends certain driver assistance features, but it doesn't require any in its testing, though it's planning on changing this in the near future.

While some consumers believe that advanced safety comes at a cost, we're here to set the record straight by discussing the 10 cheapest vehicles that have received a five-star rating from the NHTSA in 2024. These vehicles are not only exceptionally safe but also represent some of the cheapest vehicles on the market today, with the most expensive entrant not even eclipsing $27,000. Don't think a car has to be expensive to be safe, as basically every vehicle on the market today comes standard with some assortment of driver safety and assistance features.

The cars on this list have been selected based on the NHTSA's overall vehicle rating. Cars are ranked in order of price, based on MSRP, from most to least expensive.

10 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz

$26,900

The first model on this list is also the only pickup truck on this list, which is at least one win for the Santa Cruz over the Ford Maverick. Hyundai's often-forgotten lifestyle truck is a neat little vehicle that offers incredible versatility in a package that's really easy to live with on a daily basis. The base engine isn't class-leading, but the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine puts out a decent 191 horsepower, and it can be paired with FWD or AWD.

For 2024, the company went about making the exterior a bit more attractive to bring in more buyers, and it even introduced a more rugged XRT trim that offers a little more off-road style for your model. Hyundai's SmartSense safety suite is standard, adding features like forward collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane keep assist. Highway driving assist is standard on the top-spec model.

9 2024 Jeep Compass

$25,900

There are many options in the compact crossover segment, but the Jeep Compass is one of the select few that offers off-road capability in combination with competent on-road manners. It comes with a healthy amount of power thanks to a 200-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine and has a host of safety features as standard, including hill-start assist, seven airbags, full-speed collision warning, blind-spot and cross-path detection, active lane management, and a drowsy driver detection system.

Higher up in the range, you also get adaptive cruise control, rear parking assist, and enhanced forward collision warning, while a surround-view camera, front and rear park assist, and traffic sign recognition are available extra-cost upgrades.

8 2024 Subaru Crosstrek

$25,195

It's hard not to like the Subaru Crosstrek, and with the arrival of the third-generation car for 2024, that got even harder; the brand introduced the rugged new Wilderness trim. But even base models are well equipped and perfectly suited to those who want something with a little more space and good ground clearance. At your disposal is a 152-horsepower four-cylinder engine that won't give you much in the way of performance but should return decent fuel economy.

A 182-hp 2.5-liter is standard on top trims. AWD is included across the board, helping to improve safety on and off-road, as is the EyeSight Driver Assist suite, which comprises standard active safety systems like advanced adaptive cruise control with lane centering, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist. Upper-tier models also get blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert and rear automatic braking.

7 2024 Honda HR-V

$25,100

Compared to the last two offerings, the HR-V is a decidedly on-road model, no matter what the press pictures try to tell you. The newest generation sits on the improved Civic platform and makes use of a 158-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that can power either the front wheels or all of them.

Thanks to the Honda Sensing driver assistance suite, all HR-Vs come with automatic braking, lane-keeping assist, traffic jam assist, adaptive cruise control, and road departure mitigation. Higher trims have access to even more, with low-speed braking control, front and rear parking sensors, and blind-spot information with cross-traffic monitoring on the menu. If you're looking for a safe compact crossover for your teen drive, this is the car to get.

6 2024 Kia Seltos

$24,490

For 2024, the Kia Seltos received a refresh that brought the styling more in line with its corporate siblings. The Seltos is an attractive option, especially starting at $24,490, and once you see everything you get for that price, it starts to look like a bargain. The base LX model starts off with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes a measly 146 hp.

This ain't no speed demon, but interestingly, the base model comes standard with AWD, while higher trims only offer it as an option, which is a pretty big win. Kia's Drive Wise driver assistance suite is a good one, with auto emergency braking, lane follow and lane keep assist, rear occupant alert, and driver attention warning as standard.

5 2024 Hyundai Kona

$24,250

The redesigned Kona is bigger and better than before, and when we drove it, we fell in love with its quirky personality and everyday usability. The base model makes use of a 147 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that will net you pretty solid fuel economy. EPA rates for FWD cars come in at 29/34/31 mpg while the AWD versions score 27/29/28 mpg. There is a more potent powertrain available, and the Kona is feature-rich to begin with. A 12.3-inch display is standard, as is Apple Carplay integration.

But safety is the more pertinent topic here, with the SmartSense suite adding blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, safe exit warning, driver attention warning, lane keep and lane follow assist, and rear occupant alert across all models. An advanced forward collision avoidance system with pedestrian detection, cyclist and junction turning detection and direct oncoming traffic detection is available to some models, too.

4 2024 Subaru Impreza

$22,995

There's a lot to like about the Subaru Impreza, other than it's low price tag. It comes standard with AWD, it has the practicality of a hatchback body style, and it can be had with one of two powertrains. The base engine is a 152-hp flat-four that will be fine enough in most circumstances, even though a CVT is now your only transmission option. The top trim gets a 2.5-liter engine with 182 hp on tap.

Along with the Subaru Eyesight driver assistance suite that we mentioned before, blind-spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert are optional mid-way through the range. It makes for a great runaround vehicle, and it's one of the most affordable in the industry. It's the model for those willing to admit to themselves they don't really need the extra ground clearance of the Crosstrek, and that's okay.

3 2024 Hyundai Elantra

$21,625

If you haven't noticed yet, Hyundai makes some pretty safe and cheap vehicles, and the Elantra is the cheapest of these, coming in at just $21,625. Although the base SEL model, you're only working with a 147 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, but with all that power going to the front wheels, it will only do a good enough job of getting you around town, even if it's uninspiring.

Fortunately, it gets great fuel economy because of it, and you could opt for the more potent 201-hp N Line version. Hyundai SmartSense is the big news, though, and it includes all of those amazing driver assistance systems we mentioned before, with the top-spec Limited getting the full house of assists as standard.

2 2024 Nissan Sentra

$21,180

Coming in at number two is one of the cheapest vehicles on sale in America, and if you think it isn't worth your time, then you're wrong. The Sentra is a rolling deal on wheels, although it's one of the slowest cars on sale in the US, courtesy of a 149-hp four-cylinder engine. It does return great fuel economy in the mid-30 mpg range on the combined cycle, however.

The base model comes with Apple Carplay and even remote keyless entry, but more importantly, it comes with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes forward collision, front pedestrian detection, hill hold control, blind-spot monitoring, and more is available on more expensive trims. Even then, it deserves your consideration given the value it holds.

1 2024 Chevrolet Trax

$20,400

Is the Chevrolet Trax the best deal on four wheels? If you're looking for high safety ratings and affordability, we think it may be. Starting at a hair over $20,000 and offering the lifted ride height buyers are looking for these days, the Trax is a tantalizing proposition no matter how you cut it. Power is meager, though, given the three-cylinder only makes 137 hp, but if you're shopping in this segment for something quick, you're going to be disappointed.

The point of the Trax is that it has room for you and your active lifestyle, whether that's going on a quick weekend trip or filling the trunk up with groceries. As expected, there's an advanced safety suite standard, this time called Chevy Safety Assist. The suite of assists includes a teen driver function, front pedestrian braking, automatic emergency braking, a following distance indicator, forward collision alert, lane keep and lane departure warning, and an HD rearview camera. Rear park assist and side blind zone alert are available. The Trax is the cheapest five-star-rated car in the USA.