Safest Cars (5-Star NHTSA Rated)
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Every car here holds a 5-star overall NHTSA rating; ranked by frontal, side and rollover sub-scores. All figures come from our own dataset (US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026) — no opinions, just the numbers, ranked.
Our Methodology
We rank strictly from NHTSA's own published 5-Star Safety Ratings data — the US government's physical crash-test programme, not a manufacturer's claim or a proprietary score. Every car on this page holds NHTSA's highest overall rating (5 stars); we then order by the frontal, side and rollover sub-scores, in that order, since those sub-scores distinguish cars a single headline number can't. We don't blend in owner-reported injury data, recalls or brand-level statistics — just the same government crash-test numbers every car on this site is built from, applied consistently.
Whichever you pick, sort the running gear first — UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero .
Overall Top 10
The best frontal/side/rollover sub-score combinations among all 5-star cars in our database, any body style.
| # | Model | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acura Integra | 2023–2026 |
| 2 | Cadillac CT5 | 2020–2026 |
| 3 | Cadillac LYRIQ | 2024–2026 |
| 4 | Chevrolet Equinox | 2025–2026 |
| 5 | Ford Mustang | 2023, 2025–2026 |
| 6 | Genesis G80 | 2020–2026 |
| 7 | Honda Accord | 2020–2026 |
| 8 | Hyundai Ioniq 9 | 2026 |
| 9 | Kia EV6 | 2023–2026 |
| 10 | Lucid Air | 2023–2026 |
One entry per model line — the best model year for each, from 210 distinct model lines considered (2020 onwards).
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Acura Integra · 2023–2026
5-star overall, with 5-star frontal, 5-star side and 5-star rollover ratings.
Saloon/Sedan · Front-Wheel Drive · 173 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $2,550/yr fuel
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Cadillac CT5 · 2020–2026
5-star overall, with 5-star frontal, 5-star side and 5-star rollover ratings.
Saloon/Sedan · Rear-Wheel Drive · 215 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $3,150/yr fuel
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Cadillac LYRIQ · 2024–2026
5-star overall, with 5-star frontal, 5-star side and 5-star rollover ratings.
SUV · Rear-Wheel Drive · NHTSA 5★
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Chevrolet Equinox · 2025–2026
5-star overall, with 5-star frontal, 5-star side and 5-star rollover ratings.
SUV · Front-Wheel Drive · 204 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $2,500/yr fuel
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Ford Mustang · 2023, 2025–2026
5-star overall, with 5-star frontal, 5-star side and 5-star rollover ratings.
Coupe · Rear-Wheel Drive · 212 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $2,600/yr fuel
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Genesis G80 · 2020–2026
5-star overall, with 5-star frontal, 5-star side and 5-star rollover ratings.
Saloon/Sedan · All-Wheel Drive · 237 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $3,550/yr fuel
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Honda Accord · 2020–2026
5-star overall, with 5-star frontal, 5-star side and 5-star rollover ratings.
Saloon/Sedan · Front-Wheel Drive · 176 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $2,150/yr fuel
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Hyundai Ioniq 9 · 2026
5-star overall, with 5-star frontal, 5-star side and 5-star rollover ratings.
SUV · Rear-Wheel Drive · NHTSA 5★
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Kia EV6 · 2023–2026
5-star overall, with 5-star frontal, 5-star side and 5-star rollover ratings.
SUV · Rear-Wheel Drive · NHTSA 5★
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Lucid Air · 2023–2026
5-star overall, with 5-star frontal, 5-star side and 5-star rollover ratings.
Saloon/Sedan · All-Wheel Drive · NHTSA 5★
Safest SUV
113 suv model lines in our database hold a 5-star overall NHTSA rating (2020 onwards); these rank highest on frontal and side sub-scores.
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Cadillac LYRIQ · 2024–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
SUV · Rear-Wheel Drive · NHTSA 5★
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Chevrolet Equinox · 2025–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
SUV · Front-Wheel Drive · 204 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $2,500/yr fuel
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Hyundai Ioniq 9 · 2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
SUV · Rear-Wheel Drive · NHTSA 5★
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Kia EV6 · 2024–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
SUV · Rear-Wheel Drive · NHTSA 5★
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Tesla Model Y Long Range · 2020–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
SUV · Rear-Wheel Drive · NHTSA 5★
Safest Saloon & Sedan
55 saloon & sedan model lines in our database hold a 5-star overall NHTSA rating (2020 onwards); these rank highest on frontal and side sub-scores.
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Acura Integra · 2023–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Saloon/Sedan · Front-Wheel Drive · 173 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $2,550/yr fuel
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Cadillac CT5 · 2020–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Saloon/Sedan · Rear-Wheel Drive · 215 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $3,150/yr fuel
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Genesis G80 · 2020–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Saloon/Sedan · All-Wheel Drive · 237 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $3,550/yr fuel
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Honda Accord · 2020–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Saloon/Sedan · Front-Wheel Drive · 176 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $2,150/yr fuel
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Lucid Air · 2023–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Saloon/Sedan · All-Wheel Drive · NHTSA 5★
Safest Hatchback
16 hatchback model lines in our database hold a 5-star overall NHTSA rating (2020 onwards); these rank highest on frontal and side sub-scores.
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Mazda 3 · 2023–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Hatchback · Front-Wheel Drive · 183 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $2,250/yr fuel
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Polestar 2 · 2022–2025
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Hatchback · Rear-Wheel Drive · NHTSA 5★
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Honda Civic · 2021
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Hatchback · Front-Wheel Drive · 161 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $1,950/yr fuel
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Toyota Prius Hybrid · 2023–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Hatchback · All-Wheel Drive · 101 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $1,250/yr fuel
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Toyota Prius Prime Plug-in Hybrid · 2023–2024
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Hatchback · Front-Wheel Drive · 37 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $1,400/yr fuel
Safest Estate & Wagon
16 estate & wagon model lines in our database hold a 5-star overall NHTSA rating (2020 onwards); these rank highest on frontal and side sub-scores.
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Subaru Impreza · 2021–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Estate/Wagon · All-Wheel Drive · 187 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $2,300/yr fuel
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Chevrolet Bolt EV · 2022–2023
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Estate/Wagon · Front-Wheel Drive · NHTSA 5★
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Kia EV6 · 2023
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Estate/Wagon · Rear-Wheel Drive · NHTSA 5★
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Subaru Impreza Sport 5-Door · 2020–2023
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Estate/Wagon · All-Wheel Drive · 181 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $2,250/yr fuel
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Ford Mustang Mach-E · 2021
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Estate/Wagon · Rear-Wheel Drive · NHTSA 5★
Safest Van & Minivan
7 van & minivan model lines in our database hold a 5-star overall NHTSA rating (2020 onwards); these rank highest on frontal and side sub-scores.
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Chrysler Pacifica · 2020–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Van/Minivan · Front-Wheel Drive · 249 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $3,050/yr fuel
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Chrysler Voyager · 2020–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Van/Minivan · Front-Wheel Drive · 249 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $3,050/yr fuel
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Honda Odyssey · 2020–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Van/Minivan · Front-Wheel Drive · 245 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $3,050/yr fuel
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Kia Sedona · 2020–2021
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Van/Minivan · Front-Wheel Drive · 271 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $3,200/yr fuel
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Kia Carnival · 2024, 2026
5-star overall, 4-star frontal, 5-star side.
Van/Minivan · Front-Wheel Drive · 266 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $3,200/yr fuel
Safest Pickup
9 pickup model lines in our database hold a 5-star overall NHTSA rating (2020 onwards); these rank highest on frontal and side sub-scores.
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Ford F150 Pickup · 2021–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Pickup · Rear-Wheel Drive · 264 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $3,200/yr fuel
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GMC Sierra · 2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Pickup · Rear-Wheel Drive · 250 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $3,850/yr fuel
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Honda Ridgeline · 2020–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Pickup · All-Wheel Drive · 274 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $3,200/yr fuel
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Tesla Cybertruck · 2025–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Pickup · Rear-Wheel Drive · NHTSA 5★
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Toyota Tundra · 2022–2026
5-star overall, 5-star frontal, 5-star side.
Pickup · Rear-Wheel Drive · 276 g/km CO₂ · NHTSA 5★ · EPA est. $4,100/yr fuel
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 5-star NHTSA rating actually mean?
It's the highest overall crash-test rating from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, based on real physical frontal, side and rollover tests — not a manufacturer's own claim. See our full NHTSA ratings guide.
Why are these ranked by sub-score, not just the overall star rating?
Every car here already holds a 5-star overall rating, so ranking by the frontal, side and rollover sub-scores gives a more meaningful order than the headline number alone.
Are all safety-relevant cars NHTSA tested?
No — NHTSA doesn't test every vehicle on sale. A car missing from this list may still be safe; it may simply not have a published NHTSA rating for that model year.
How is this list ranked?
By overall NHTSA rating (5-star only), then by frontal, side and rollover sub-scores in that order, computed directly from the specification data on this site.
What's the safest suv on this site?
Cadillac LYRIQ — 5-star overall NHTSA rating with 5-star frontal and 5-star side crash protection, the best sub-score combination among suvs we track.
What's the safest saloon & sedan on this site?
Acura Integra — 5-star overall NHTSA rating with 5-star frontal and 5-star side crash protection, the best sub-score combination among saloon & sedans we track.
What's the safest hatchback on this site?
Mazda 3 — 5-star overall NHTSA rating with 5-star frontal and 5-star side crash protection, the best sub-score combination among hatchbacks we track.
What's the safest estate & wagon on this site?
Subaru Impreza — 5-star overall NHTSA rating with 5-star frontal and 5-star side crash protection, the best sub-score combination among estate & wagons we track.
What's the safest van & minivan on this site?
Chrysler Pacifica — 5-star overall NHTSA rating with 5-star frontal and 5-star side crash protection, the best sub-score combination among van & minivans we track.
What's the safest pickup on this site?
Ford F150 Pickup — 5-star overall NHTSA rating with 5-star frontal and 5-star side crash protection, the best sub-score combination among pickups we track.
Rankings are computed from the specification data on this site and are provided for reference only. Verify details with the manufacturer before purchasing.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026