2024 BMW X2
Best Safety Value: $47,895 (xDrive28i + Options Packages)
Base Price: $42,995 | Expert Rating: 4.3
Combined Fuel Economy: 28 mpg
Redesigned for 2024, the BMW X2, with its sloping roof, is an athletic-looking knockoff of the X1. In Teutonic fashion, the roofline is sufficient reason to reclassify this 4-door as a coupe. While the coupe-like roofline adds a degree of style, it sacrifices some cargo capacity. If carrying cargo is your jam, the X1 is a better choice. However, the new X2 did score a spot on the IIHS Top Safety Pick list for 2024.
LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, heated outboard mirrors, and hill start assist make it from our safety checklist. Among the advanced safety tech are blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, safe exit assist, and front-rear park assist. Laying down another $1,700 for the Driving Assistance Professional Package, which consists of semi-autonomous driver assists adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist with steering assist, junction-turning assist, and Automatic Lane Change. At this price point, we’d pay the extra $1,700. It also means adding the Technology Package for a price increase of $4,900.
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2024 BMW X3
Best Safety Value: $50,295 (X3 sDrive30i + Options Packages)
Base Price: $47,895 | Expert Rating: 4.4
Combined Fuel Economy: 25 mpg
Simply put, the BMW X3 is a blast to drive. Its size, agility, and quickness make for a good time heading to the grocery store or the mountain twisties. The spacious cabin echoes luxury in that understated, less-is-more, German sort of way. Moreover, the IIHS gave the X3 its stamp of approval by naming it a 2024 TSP+. Among our sought-after safety features are rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming mirrors (rearview and outboard), adaptive LED headlights, high-beam assist, front/rear park assist, eight airbags, and hill start assist. One added safety feature not on our list is Brake Drying, which dries the brakes in wet weather.
The advanced safety tech includes blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning. Moving up through the trim levels won’t add any safety features. However, we would opt for the Parking Assistance Package ($700), adding Parking Assistant Plus, Active Park Assistance Control, and a surround-view monitor. We also recommend the Driving Assist Professional Package ($1,700), which gains you traffic-jam assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, junction-turning assist, and lane-keeping assist with steering assist.
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2024/2025 Ford Explorer
Best Safety Value: $41,350 (2025 Active)
Base Price: $41,350 | Expert Rating: 3.9
Combined Fuel Economy: 24 mpg
One of only two domestic models among our picks, the Ford Explorer snagged a spot on the 2024 IIHS TSP+ list. We concede that the 2025 model underwent a makeover; however, we fully expect it to be at least a TSP pick for 2025. Although the third-row proportions are a bit stingy, the Explorer continues to be an ideal choice for those who want seating for up to seven, in addition to impressive towing and work capability. Among our recommended safety features are LED headlights, high-beam assist, hill start assist, and rear-park assist.
Every Explorer comes with the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ bundle of advanced safety tech. Included are junction turning assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, safe exit warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and a driver monitoring system. Also standard is Evasive Steering Assist, which helps you steer around an obstacle when braking isn’t enough. All of this is standard in the entry-level Active grade. Moving up to the ST-Line trim adds a surround-view camera. We’d stay with the Active trim.
If you are shopping for a 2024 Explorer, pricing starts at $38,455 for the base model. That includes the Co-Pilot360 safety suite. However, stepping up to the XLT and adding the $4,535 Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite will give you a wide range of extra comfort and convenience features. That will bring the total to $44,800, including the destination charge. When it comes to standard safety features, the 2025 model offers the better value.
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2024 Genesis GV60
Best Safety Value: $53,350 (Standard RWD)
Base Price: $53,350 | Expert Rating: 4.5
Combined Fuel Economy: 112 MPGe
Only available in 36 states, the fully electric GV60 is an IIHS TSP+; however, it remains unrated by the government. In its entry-level Standard rear-wheel-drive trim (new for 2024), the GV60 delivers an estimated maximum range of 294 miles. This small luxury SUV is big on safety. Of our sought-after safety features, the GV60 provides 10 airbags, LED headlights, high-beam assist, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a head-up display.
The GV60 also boasts a rich array of advanced safety tech. For example, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, safe exit assist, adaptive cruise control, and a driver monitoring system are all standard. Stepping up to the AWD Advanced grade adds safety tech like a blind-spot view monitor and a surround-view camera. Remote Smart Parking Assist is also standard, allowing you to pull your GV60 into or out of a tight parking spot from outside the vehicle. Still, we’d stick with the Standard trim.
