What is the safest car brand?
There isn’t a single universal “safest” car brand; safety depends on the model, year, and trim. Based on independent tests from IIHS and NHTSA through 2024–2025, a handful of brands consistently earn high safety marks across many of their vehicles.
What brands tend to score best
These brands have multiple models earning top safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA in recent years. Note that a brand’s overall safety depends on the specific model and trim.
- Volvo — A longstanding safety pioneer; many Volvo models routinely earn high IIHS ratings and feature a strong suite of standard safety systems.
- Subaru — Known for the EyeSight driver-assist system on most models, with numerous models earning Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ designations.
- Lexus — Consistently strong crash-test performance across SUVs and sedans, with a broad lineup receiving high IIHS/NHTSA ratings.
- Toyota — Broad safety record across the lineup, with many models earning high IIHS/NHTSA marks and standard safety features on newer trims.
- Honda — Regularly earns solid IIHS/NHTSA results across sedans and crossovers, supported by widely available active safety features.
While these brands show strong overall safety performance, safety is still determined by the exact model and year. Always verify the rating for the specific vehicle you’re considering.
Brand snapshots
Volvo’s approach emphasizes protective structure and comprehensive safety technology as standard; Subaru prioritizes driver-assist features across its lineup; Lexus and Toyota rely on broad, long-standing safety systems and reliability; Honda emphasizes active safety features and crashworthiness across its models.
How to verify safety for any car brand
Before deciding, check the specifics for the exact model and year. The following steps help ensure you’re evaluating the safest option within a brand.
- Check the model’s IIHS rating and whether it earned Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ for the relevant model year; also review NHTSA five-star crash ratings for overall and individual categories.
- Look for standard and available active safety features, especially automatic emergency braking (AEB), pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Note which features are standard vs. optional.
- Evaluate headlight performance, as IIHS rates headlights separately and poor lighting can affect overall safety.
- Consider the model’s crashworthiness in various impact scenarios (e.g., small overlap), and whether the chassis and safety cages are robust in real-world testing.
- Read recalls and consumer safety reports related to the model, and consider maintenance history and insurance safety ratings for real-world risk assessment.
Even within a strong brand, some models may lag behind others. Model-specific checks are essential.
Summary
There is no single safest car brand. Safety success is highly dependent on the specific model and year, but brands such as Volvo, Subaru, Lexus, Toyota, and Honda have repeatedly earned strong safety marks across many models in IIHS and NHTSA evaluations. Use model-specific ratings and feature lists to guide your choice, and stay current with the latest test results and recalls.
