The Subaru Outback with side air bags has done very well in the NHTSA crash tests.

Vehicle Frontal Star Rating based on risk of head & chest injury Side Star Rating based on risk of chest injury Rollover Rating Driver Passenger Front Seat Rear Seat 2 wheel drive 4 wheel drive 2005 Subaru Outback  4-DR. w/ SAB   TBR

An outback 2.5i Wagon with automatic transmission runs about $26,000. Some opptions to think about are:

Security system upgrade (perimeter alarm)

Auto dimming mirror

Standard safety feautes include:

Active front seat head restraints - help reduce potential for whiplash in certain collisions (something all cars should have, but hard to find)

Daytime Running Lights (DRL)

LATCH system: Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren