The safest cars: the leading brands are named

When it comes to buying a new or used car, safety is a top priority for most drivers. Modern cars are equipped with a variety of safety systems, such as airbags, ABS, and ESP, which help minimize the consequences of a collision.

Experts have compiled a rating of reliable cars based on data provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Although these models are more expensive, they will save significant amounts of money in the long run, as they reduce the risk of accidents that can lead to significant property damage.

Mazda

In 2024, a number of models (including the Mazda3, CX-30, CX-5, CX-90 PHEV, and CX-90 MHEV) met the NHTSA's criteria for a 5-star safety rating.

Mazda also ranked highly in the IIHS 2024 safety rating. Vehicles that have been awarded Top Safety Pick Plus ratings by the IIHS include vehicles of various sizes, from the small car category (Mazda 3 hatchbacks and sedans) to small SUVs (CX-30 and CX-50) and midsize SUVs (CX-70, CX-70 PHEV, CX-90 and CX-90 PHEV).

Genesis

Genesis luxury cars are often mistaken for Bentley, but they are actually produced by Hyundai, and many of them have high safety ratings. In 2024, the NHTSA awarded many Genesis vehicles a five-star rating. This is particularly true for the G80, GV60, and GV70.

The IIHS has also awarded Genesis vehicles with top safety ratings. The GV60 received the same award in the small SUV category, and three Genesis vehicles (the Electrified GV70, GV70, and GV80) were awarded Top Safety Pick Plus in the midsize luxury SUV category.

Acura

As Honda's upscale sibling, Acura offers several luxury models. The brand has an excellent safety reputation with both the NHTSA and IIHS - much better than Honda itself, it turns out.

In the NHTSA lineup, every Acura model for 2024 received a five-star overall safety rating. In the IIHS rating, three Acura models took the best positions in terms of road reliability. The Integra hatchback received awards in the small car category, and the MDX and RDX were recognized in the midsize luxury SUV segment. Finally, Acura's absence from the iSeeCars list of the most dangerous cars also indicates a low level of fatal accidents.

BMW

BMW is the brand with the best ratings. For example, the BMW 3 Series received five stars from the NHTSA for the 2024 model.

BMW has received the Top Safety Pick rating for many cars in its lineup. In total, five cars were included in the rating, with the 5-Series receiving the top safety pick in the large luxury car category and the X1 and X2 in the small SUV category. The X3 is one of the most reliable BMW models according to the IIHS.

Lexus

Toyota technically produces Lexus vehicles, but the luxury label can make a difference in safety ratings. Several 2024 Lexus models, including the ES 300H and RZ 450E, received five stars from the NHTSA. Lexus also ranked highly in the 2024 IIHS Safety Review. Five Lexus models received the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating, including the RZ and UX in the small SUV category.

In 2023, Lexus received six awards for vehicles such as the ES350, RZ, UX, NX, NX Plug-in Hybrid, and RX from the IIHS.

Hyundai

In 2024, Hyundai received nine Top Safety Pick awards from the IIHS, but this does not mean that the brand is one of the safest. Even though models like the Elantra, Sonata, Tucson, and Palisade were the best in terms of safety, Hyundai still has extremely high fatalities, according to NHTSA data.

According to a review of accident data by iSeeCars (based on NHTSA data), Hyundai was the fifth most dangerous car in the lineup with one of the highest fatalities rates after Tesla, Kia, Buick, and Dodge. Hyundai Venue. The Hyundai Kona, for example, had a passenger fatality rate 2.3 times higher than average. Interestingly, Hyundai owns many other car brands, including Kia, Ioniq, and Genesis, and these brands – especially Genesis – generally perform much better.

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