Safest Cars in America [2023]
This comprehensive list of the safest cars in America shows over 50 of the safest cars in three different size categories. It includes cars like the Ford Taurus, Kia Soul, and Hyundai Sonata.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Nov 7, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 7, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Every year the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety makes finding the safest cars easier by compiling a list
- The category system makes it easier for new car buyers to choose the safest car by the type of car they are hoping to buy
- What are the safest cars in America by brand? Out of the 55 vehicles listed, the Volkswagen Touareg, Ford Fiesta, and Toyota Sienna are considered the safest in their category
Every year the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety makes finding the safest cars easier by compiling a list of the safest new cars in the United States.
What’s the safest car in America? We’ll let you know what the safest cars in America are today.You can also search for the most affordable car insurance rates today by entering your ZIP code now!
The Car Safety Categories
After the list of the safest cars is compiled, it is then divided into seven separate categories. These seven categories are:
- Large cars
- Small cars
- Midsize cars
- Large SUVs
- Mini-cars
- Midsize SUVs
- Minivans
The category system makes it easier for new car buyers to choose the safest car by the type of car they are hoping to buy.Since the sheer number of cars available today can be very overwhelming, this list makes it easier than ever for buyers to choose the best car.
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The Safest Cars in 2011
There are more than 55 cars listed below. These cars will be divided into their size-specific categories.The cars that are listed as the safest large cars in the United States are:
- Buick LaCrosse
- Buick Regal
- BMW 5-series (excluding the V8 and 4-wheel drive models)
- Cadillac CTS Sedan
- Ford Taurus
- Hyundai Genesis
- Infiniti M37
- Infiniti M56
- Lincoln MKS
- Mercedes E Class
- Toyota Avalon
- Volvo S80
The safest small cars are:
- Chevrolet Cruze
- Honda Civic,
- Kia Forte Sedan
- Kia Soul
- Mitsubishi Lancer (excluding the 4-wheel drive model)
- Nissan Cube
- Scion tC
- Scion xB
- Subaru Impreza (excluding the WRX model)
- the 4-door VW Golf
- the 4-door VW GTI
The safest midsize cars are: the Audi A3, the Audi A4, the
- Audi A3
- Audi A4
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Chrysler 200
- Dodge Avenger
- Ford Fusion
- Hyundai Sonata
- Mercedes C Class
- Subaru Legacy
- Subaru Outback
- Volkswagen Jetta Sedan
- Volkswagen Jetta Sport Wagon
- Volvo C30
The safest midsize SUVs are:
- Audi Q5
- Cadillac SRX
- Dodge Journey
- Ford Explorer
- Ford Flex
- GMC Terrain
- Toyota Venza
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Lincoln MKT
- Lexus RX
- Kia Sorento (after March 2010)
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Mercedes-Benz GLK
- Toyota Highlander
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Subaru Tribeca
- Volvo XC90
- Volvo XC60
The safest SUV is the Volkswagen Touareg, the safest mini-car is the Ford Fiesta that was built after July of 2010, and the safest minivan is currently the Toyota Sienna.
There were no pickup trucks that made the safest car list in 2011.
How A Safe Car Is Chosen For The List
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety issues four ratings for four different safety categories. The four ratings issued are poor, marginal, acceptable, and good. This is also how you can find the top 10 safest cars in America and the safest American cars.These safety ratings are used to determine how well the car protects passengers in the event of a rear, side, and front impact collision, as well as vehicle rollover.To make the annual list of the country’s safest cars, each vehicle must have a good rating in each category. The requirement of a good rating in the roof strength category for rollover is new for 2011.This new requirement has severely affected the number of cars that made the list this year.This new roof strength requirement was added after numerous studies showed that roof strength was connected to the rate of serious injuries caused by vehicle rollover.To determine the quality of the car’s roof strength, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety uses a metal plate to push against the car’s roof at the rate of 0.2 inches each second.The car’s roof must be able to withstand up to four times its own weight before the metal plate reaches a crush level of five inches for it to be given a good rating.Now that you know which cars are rated the safest, make sure you use the information to take advantage of any safety discounts offered by your car insurance provider to save on your monthly rates.To find out which car insurance providers will give the best car insurance rates for one of the car safety leaders, just enter your ZIP code below!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the safest cars in America in 2023?
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety compiles a list of the safest cars in America each year. To see the current list, enter your ZIP code to access the free quote tool.
How are cars categorized for safety ratings?
The safest cars list is divided into seven categories based on size: large cars, small cars, midsize cars, midsize SUVs, SUVs, mini-cars, and minivans.
Do safer cars always result in lower insurance premiums?
While safer cars can potentially lead to lower insurance premiums, it ultimately depends on various factors, including the insurance company’s policies, your driving record, and the specific safety features in your vehicle. Some insurance companies offer discounts for vehicles equipped with advanced safety features, while others may focus more on other risk factors. It’s advisable to contact your insurance provider directly to understand how safety features can impact your premiums.
How are cars chosen for the safest cars list?
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates cars in four safety categories: rear, side, and front impact collisions, as well as vehicle rollover. To make the list, a car must have a good rating in each category, including a good rating in roof strength for rollover protection.
Can I get car insurance discounts for driving a safe car?
Yes, many car insurance providers offer safety discounts for driving a safe car. Make sure to check with your insurance provider to take advantage of any available discounts.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.