Most people choose a car based on a very personal combination of brand preference, styling, fuel efficient operation, starting price and performance features.
Safety ratings are seldom at the top of a car buyer’s wish list, but statistics show that a car with superior safety features can mean more protection in an accident, and the safest cars could potentially save the lives of the driver and passengers. That is why both government and insurance industry engineers test new cars and rank them for safety features.
Insurance Industry Ratings
The most comprehensive safety ratings are available from industry analysts such the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). IIHS concentrates on crash tests, while HLDI gathers real-world accident reports and compiles statistics.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an independent non-profit with the mission of reducing deaths, injuries and property damage through research and testing, using its findings to educate consumers, policy makers and safety professionals.
HLDI supports IIHS with scientific studies of insurance data on the human and economic losses associated with different types of vehicles. HLDI publishes its findings by vehicle make and model.
Federal Government Testing
The federal government also conducts crash tests and compiles accident statistics through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In addition to testing vehicles and gathering data on highway deaths, injuries and economic impact, NHTSA works with state and local governments to mandate standard safety features, strengthen traffic safety laws and support improved traffic safety through education and outreach.
Five Star Ratings
NHTSA maintains a comprehensive online database of vehicle ratings based on a system of one to five stars. Consumers can use the NHTSA website to look up the star rating for any make, model or production year, as well as manufacturer recalls and safety related technology.
We will return to the NHTSA later in this article. However, because insurance industry data closely connect vehicle makes and models with the types of accidents that cause specific human and economic losses, we will present the specific vehicles that have earned the top ratings from IIHS and HLDI.
What the Ratings Mean
The foundations of IIHS testing are six types of crash tests used to rate crashworthiness:
- Moderate overlap front – the vehicle strikes a barrier that impacts a little more than half of the front.
- Driver-side small overlap front – the vehicle strikes a barrier that only overlaps a small portion of the driver side.
- Passenger-side small overlap front – the vehicle strikes a barrier that only overlaps a small portion of the passenger side.
- Side impact – the vehicle is struck in the side by a test rig representing a vehicle of similar size and weight.
- Roof strength – the ability of the vehicle roof to withstand a rollover crash is evaluated.
- Head restraints and seats – crash protection from seats and head restraints is tested using adult and child-sized anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs), also known as crash dummies. Safety evaluations also take note of LATCH criteria for child seat anchors and other protections for small passengers.
IIHS also tests crash avoidance and mitigation systems, such as:
- Front crash prevention, vehicle-to-vehicle
- Front crash prevention, vehicle-to-pedestrian
- Pedestrian detection
- Headlights
Top Safety Picks for 2022
In order to earn the rating “Top Safety Pick,” all of the vehicles in this report have earned GOOD rating in all of the crashworthiness categories, as well as a SUPERIOR rating or ADVANCED rating for its crash avoidance system performance.
To earn the extra designation of “Top Safety Pick +” the vehicle must also earn a GOOD rating for its headlight systems, as IIHS considers effective lighting a critical factor for avoiding accidents. Note that in some cases, the best rating may apply to a particular trim or option package.
Top Safety Picks for Small Cars
Because a large vehicle protects occupants with more structural mass in a frontal crash, side impact or rollover, choosing a small car with a high safety rating is particularly important.
- Honda Civic 4-Door Hatchback (Top Safety Pick +)
- Honda Civic 4-Door Sedan (Pick +)
- Honda Insight 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Hyundai Elantra 4-Door Sedan
- Kia Soul 4-Door Wagon
- Mazda 3 4-Door Hatchback (Top Safety Pick +)
- Mazda 3 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Nissan Sentra 4-Door Sedan
- Subaru BRZ 2-Door Hatchback (Top Safety Pick +)
- Subaru Crosstrek 4-Door Wagon
- Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid 4-Door Wagon (Top Safety Pick +)
- Subaru Impreza 4-Door Wagon
- Toyota Corolla 4-Door Hatchback (Top Safety Pick +)
- Toyota Corolla 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Toyota GR86 2-Door Hatchback (Top Safety Pick +)
- Volkswagen Golf GTI 4-Door Hatchback
- Volkswagen Golf R 4-Door Hatchback (Top Safety Pick +
Top Safety Picks for Midsize Cars
- Honda Accord 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Hyundai Sonata 4-Door Sedan
- Kia K5 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Nissan Altima 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Nissan Maxima 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Subaru Legacy 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Subaru Outback 4-Door Wagon (Top Safety Pick +)
- Toyota Camry 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
Top Safety Picks for Midsize Luxury Cars
- Acura TLX 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Audi A4 4-Door Sedan
- Audi A4 Allroad 4-Door Wagon
- Audi A5 Sportback 4-Door Hatchback
- BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe 4-Door Sedan
- BMW 3 Series 4-Door Sedan
- Lexus ES 350 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Lexus IS 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Tesla Model 3 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Volvo S60 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Volvo S60 Recharge 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Volvo V60 Cross Country 4-Door Wagon (Top Safety Pick +)
- Volvo V60 Recharge 4-Door Wagon (Top Safety Pick +)
Top Safety Picks for Full Size Cars
- Kia Stinger 4 Door Hatchback (Top Safety Pick +)
- Toyota Avalon 4-Door Sedan
- Volkswagen Arteon 4-Door Hatchback
Top Safety Picks for Full Size Luxury Cars
- Audi A6 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Audi A6 Allroad 4-Door Wagon (Top Safety Pick +)
- Audi A7 4-Door Hatchback (Top Safety Pick +)
- BMW 5 Series 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Genesis G70 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Genesis G80 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Genesis G90 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Volvo S90 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Volvo S90 Recharge 4-Door Sedan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Volvo V90 Cross Country 4-Door Wagon (Top Safety Pick +)
Top Safety Picks for Small SUVs
- Buick Encore GX 4-Door SUV
- Chevrolet Trailblazer 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Ford Bronco Sport 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Ford Escape 4-Door SUV
- Honda CR-V 4-Door SUV
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Hyundai Tucson 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Hyundai Venue 4-Door SUV
- Jeep Compass 4-Door SUV
- Kia Seltos 4-Door SUV
- Kia Sportage 4-Door SUV
- Lexus UX 4-Door SUV
- Lincoln Corsair 4-Door SUV
- Mazda CX-30 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Mazda CX-5 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Mazda CX-50 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Mitsubishi Outlander 4-Door SUV (Pick +)
- Nissan Rogue 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Subaru Forester 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Toyota C-HR 4-Door SUV
- Toyota Corolla Cross 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Toyota RAV4 4-Door SUV
- Toyota RAV4 Prime 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Toyota Venza 4-Door SUV
- Volvo C40 Recharge 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Volvo XC40 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Volvo XC40 Recharge 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
Top Safety Picks for Midsize SUVs
- Ford Edge 4-Door SUV
- Ford Explorer 4-Doro SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Ford Mustang Mach-E 4-Door SUV
- Hyundai Palisade 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Hyundai Santa Fe 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Kia Sorento 4-Door SUV
- Kia Telluride 4-Door SUV
- Mazda CX-9 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Nissan Murano 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Nissan Pathfinder 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Subaru Ascent 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Toyota Highlander 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Volkswagen ID.4 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Volkswagen Tiguan 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
Top Safety Picks for Midsize Luxury SUVs
- Acura MDX 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Acura RDX 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Audi Q5 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Audi Q5 Sportback 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- BMW X3 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- BMW X5 4-Door SUV
- Cadillac XT6 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Genesis GV70 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Genesis GV80 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Hyundai Nexo 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Infiniti QX60 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Lexus NX 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Lexus NX Plug-In Hybrid 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Lexus RX 4-Door SUV
- Lincoln Aviator 4-Door SUV
- Lincoln Nautilus 4-Door SUV
- Mercedes-Benz GLC 4-Door SUV
- Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Tesla Model Y 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Volvo XC60 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Volvo XC60 Recharge 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Volvo XC90 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Volvo XC90 Recharge 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
Top Safety Picks for Large SUVs
- Audi e-tron 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Audi e-tron Sportback 4-Door SUV (Top Safety Pick +)
- Audi Q8 4-Door SUV
Top Safety Picks for Minivans
- Chrysler Pacifica Minivan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Honda Odyssey Minivan (Top Safety Pick +)
- Kia Carnival Minivan
- Toyota Sienna Minivan (Top Safety Pick +)
Top Safety Pick for Small Pickups
- Hyundai Santa Cruz Crew Cab Pickup
Top Safety Picks for Large Pickups
- Ford F-150 Crew Cab Pickup
- Ford F-150 Extended Cab Pickup
- Ram 1500 Crew Cab Pickup
- Toyota Tundra Crew Cab Pickup (Top Safety Pick +)
Adaptive Safety Technologies
Many of the safest cars in the market today include advanced safety tech. Adaptive cruise control will modify the driver’s speed setting if conditions warrant a change. Adaptive headlights turn with the vehicle so the driver can see around a curve. Rain-sensing wipers turn on automatically and adjust to the amount of rain. Some adaptive systems include automatic emergency braking.
Sensors to Warn the Driver
Blind-spot monitoring can warn the driver that a vehicle is moving into an area that may be a blind spot in rear view mirrors. Forward collision warning and rear cross traffic alert use cameras and pulse radar to determine when a vehicle is about to crash and to sound a warning or apply the brakes. Rear seat reminder warns the driver to make sure that no child, pet or package is left behind.
Lighting the Way to Safety
LED headlights illuminate a broader view than conventional lamps, and they are becoming standard safety features. High-beam assist automatically dims headlights when the system senses approaching headlights, switching back when there are no vehicle lights ahead. Auto-dimming mirrors sense bright headlights behind the vehicle and dim the reflection.
Stay in Your Lane
Highway driving assist includes lane-departure warning monitors the lane markings and warns the driver if there is a drift without a turn signal. Lane-tracing assist helps the driver stay on course by following a leading vehicle when road markings are not clear. Lane-keeping assist (also called lane-centering) uses a camera to monitor lane markings and correct steering as needed. Some models include traffic sign recognition to brake or adjust if the driver misses a warning.
Help with Parallel Parking
Self-parking can parallel-park or diagonally park a car while the driver remains hands-free. Pedestrian detection warns the driver if someone is near the vehicle. Safe exit assist determines whether the coast is clear. Parking assist is a simple safety feature that monitors the front and rear bumpers while parking, sounding an alarm if the driver comes too close another car or object.
The Role of Government Mandates
Since seat belts were first required some 50 years ago, the federal government has taken a strong role in mandating many of the industry’s most familiar standard safety features. These include airbags, antilock brakes, rearview cameras, tire pressure monitors, stability control and traction control.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
NHTSA selects new vehicles for crash testing that judges their ability to protect the driver and passengers in frontal, side and rollover crashes. Results are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 in each category, and the vehicle is given a 1 to 5 overall rating.
Five Star Safety Rating Tests for 2022
This year’s Five Star tests were conducted with Acura MDX, Audi Q4 e-tron, Chevrolet Bolt (EUV and EV), Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Escape PHEV, Ford Expedition, Ford F-150 Lightning BEV, Ford F-250 Super Cab, Ford Maverick SEV, Ford Ranger Super Cab, Honda Civic Sedan, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Kona Electric, Hyundai Tucson HEV, Jeep Compass, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Kia Niro Electric, Lexus NX 250, Mazda MX-30, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Nissan Altima, Nissan Frontier Crew Cab, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Rogue Sport, Polestar 2, Toyota Corolla Cross, Toyota RAV4 Prime, Toyota Tundra, Volkswagen Jetta and Volkswagen Taos.
Advanced Driver Assistance Verification Testing
NHTSA also has also begun testing new advanced safety features, such as lane departure warning, forward collision warning, crash imminent braking and dynamic braking support. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Verification Testing for 2022 was conducted with Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ford Explorer, Ford Escape, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Kona EV, Hyundai Santa Cruz, Jeep Wrangler, Kia Forte, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Sentra, Subaru Forester, Tesla Model 3, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Tundra and Volkswagen Taos.
Although these ratings are for selected 2022 models, you can find the NHTSA Five Star rating for any vehicle or model year by entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or by entering the make, model and production year at NHTSA.GOV.
Summary
Thanks to manufacturer innovation, safety regulations and research guidance from the insurance industry, almost all cars today are very safe to operate, and the safest vehicles are the ones that have earned high safety marks in a government or industry crash test.
The latest generation of the safest cars on the market include small cars and luxury cars, sedans and hatchbacks, SUVs, minivans and trucks.
When you shop for a new car, you may not start by checking the safety ratings, but when comparing manufacturers, models and features that may seem equal, remember that you don’t have to pay extra or sacrifice ride quality to drive one of the safest new cars.
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