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Published: April 10, 2025
When you’re shopping for a new car, the price tag often dictates the trim level. And one of the first things dealers may try to upsell is a “safety package” — bundles of advanced driver-assist features such as automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, or lane-keeping assist. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: safety should never be an optional extra.
In the United States, the two most influential vehicle safety watchdogs — the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — have steadily raised the bar. Their latest 2025 ratings show a clear divide: models that make essential safety tech standard earn top marks, while those that keep key features behind an option wall often receive mediocre scores.
The IIHS updated its criteria for the 2025 Top Safety Pick+ award, requiring standard AEB that works at both low and high speeds, better headlight performance, and improved pedestrian protection. Automakers such as Honda, Subaru, and Volvo have long included such features as standard on most trims — and they continue to dominate the highest rankings.
On the flip side, some mainstream brands still treat advanced safety as a package upgrade. A 2025 midsize sedan from a major manufacturer, for instance, only offers blind-spot monitoring on its top trim, leaving budget-conscious buyers vulnerable. When tested by IIHS, that same sedan missed the Top Safety Pick threshold because its optional safety items were not available across the lineup.
“Safety isn’t a luxury option; it’s a baseline expectation,” says David Zuby, IIHS executive vice president. “Consumers should not have to pay extra for life-saving technology.”
NHTSA’s 5-star rating system corroborates the trend. In 2025, vehicles with standard forward-collision warning and AEB averaged a 10% lower injury risk in frontal crashes compared to those without. Yet several high-volume models still list these features as optional — adding $1,000 to $3,000 to the purchase price.
Consider the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe: it achieved a 5-star overall rating, but only when equipped with the optional “Safety Plus” package that includes rear cross-traffic braking and automatic high beams. The base trim lacks them, effectively penalizing budget buyers.
Meanwhile, all Tesla models — regardless of trim — come with standard AEB and blind-spot cameras, earning them consistent top IIHS marks. The lesson: standardization beats segmentation.
The tide may be turning. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced plans to mandate AEB on all new light vehicles by 2027. Several states are also considering laws requiring blind-spot monitoring and rear automatic braking as standard equipment. A coalition of consumer advocacy groups, including Consumer Reports, has pressured automakers to voluntarily list all safety features as standard — and some are listening.
Ford recently announced that for the 2026 model year, its entire lineup will include standard AEB and lane-keeping assist. General Motors followed suit with a pledge to make “safety suite” features standard on most 2026 models.
If you’re in the market for a new car in 2025, here’s the smartest move: choose a model where every safety feature comes standard, not as an add-on. Check the IIHS website for the 2025 Top Safety Pick list and examine trim-level details. Understand that paying extra for safety is not just unfair — it’s unnecessary. Many automakers offer the same tech as standard on rivals.
Features that should never be optional include:
The 2025 crash ratings send a clear message: safety is not an extra feature; it is a core requirement of any modern vehicle. As regulators and advocates push for universal standards, consumers can vote with their wallets today. Don’t settle for a car that treats your protection as a checkbox you have to pay more to tick.
The best safety rating is the one you get for free — because everyone deserves to drive home safely, regardless of their budget.
