The safest cars and safest vehicles

THE SAFEST


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Mission Statement:


 

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Provide a free, public service to guide consumers on the use of vehicle crash test ratings and fatality data—to save lives.

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Since 2003 InformedForLife.org has helped over 1/2 million visitors find the safest vehicles!

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On a typical day in the U.S. there are 17,000 vehicle accidents, seriously injuring 12,300 people and killing 110.

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Choose your vehicle as though your life depends on it!

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Question 1: Which is the better indicator of vehicle safety: Vehicle size/weight or crashworthiness?

Answer 1: Neither. The safest vehicles have above average weight and the best possible crash ratings.

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Question 2: Which crash test agency has more reliable ratings: NHTSA or IIHS?

Answer 2: Neither. The safest vehicles have the best possible scores by both NHTSA and IIHS in all rating categories.


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►1.) Look up Comprehensive Safety Assessment and Ratings for any Specific 2011–2020 Passenger Vehicle Here

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Click the down arrows▼next to Year▼, Make▼, Model▼, Style▼and then press GO to see the safety evaluation for your vehicle.

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See the InformedForLife.org Safety Evaluation for Your Vehicle
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Data are updated frequently. Latest update: Nov 14, 2019

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►2.) The safest vehicles are represented by the intersection of the circles and are listed below



The safest vehicles have BETTER THAN AVERAGE WEIGHT COMPATIBILITY**, are rated 5-STARS OVERALL by NHTSA, and meet TOP SAFETY PICK criteria by IIHS. They also have a NHTSA side-impact rating of 5-Stars, a rollover rating of at least 4-Stars, and a front crash prevention system rated Superior by IIHS.

 

The Safest 1% Passenger Vehicles for Model-Years 2016–2020

  6,757 vehicles have been evaluated for model-years 2011–2020: 1% meet SAFEST criteria; 18% have REDUCED SAFETY; 37% are LEAST SAFE; 44% have INDETERMINATE SAFETY.* .

  updated Nov 14, 2019
     COMPATIBILITY NHTSA STAR RATINGS IIHS RATINGS
Year MODEL NAME
(by Ranking within Model-Year)		   IN ORDER OF SAFETY RANK WITHIN TOP 1%
(Note: lowest value MVCF** is  safest) 		 Multi-Vehicle Crash Factor (MVCF)** Class Vehicle Weight (lbs.) Overall Frontal Impact Side Impact Static Rollover Risk Frontal Impact-moderate overlap Side Impact Rear Impact Roof Strength Frontal Impact-small overlap: Driver side Frontal Impact-small overlap: Passenger side Front
  
Crash
System Score***
 Headlamp Performance Rating****
                                     
2020 SUBARU ASCENT SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,436 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
                                     
  IIHS data for most 2020 models not available until mid-Decmber 2019
                                 
                                     
2019 AUDI Q8 SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.4 SUV 4,946 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2019 SUBARU ASCENT SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,436 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
2019 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,551 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 5 MARGINAL
2019 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS SUV FWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,551 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 5 MARGINAL
2019 VOLVO XC90 T5 SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,516 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2019 VOLVO XC90 T6 SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,516 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2019 VOLVO XC90 T8 SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,516 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2019 BMW X3 SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.6 SUV 4,190 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
2019 BMW X3 SUV RWD    SAFEST 1% 0.6 SUV 4,190 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
2019 GMC ACADIA SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.6 SUV 4,295 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 MARGINAL
2019 KIA SORENTO SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.6 SUV 4,154 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
2019 KIA SORENTO SUV FWD    SAFEST 1% 0.6 SUV 4,154 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
2019 AUDI Q5 SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.7 SUV 4,114 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 5 MARGINAL
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC-CLASS 4WD
  SAFEST 1% 0.7 SUV 4,026 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 5 GOOD
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC-CLASS RWD   SAFEST 1% 0.7 SUV 4,026 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 5 GOOD
2019 GENESIS G80 4 DR AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.9 CAR 4,323 5 5 5 5 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
2019 GENESIS G80 4 DR RWD    SAFEST 1% 0.9 CAR 4,323 5 5 5 5 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
2019 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN FWD    SAFEST 1% 0.9 VAN 4,327 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2019 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 4 DR AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.9 CAR 4,308 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
2019 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 4 DR FWD    SAFEST 1% 0.9 CAR 4,308 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
2019 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,460 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 MARGINAL
2019 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SUV FWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,460 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 MARGINAL
2019 HONDA CR-V SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,396 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2019 HONDA CR-V SUV FWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,396 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2019 HYUNDAI TUCSON SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,449 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
2019 HYUNDAI TUCSON SUV FWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,449 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
2019 MAZDA CX-5 SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,498 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 5 GOOD
2019 MAZDA CX-5 SUV FWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,498 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 5 GOOD
2019 SUBARU FORESTER SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,416 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
                                     
2018 LINCOLN MKX SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,489 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 MARGINAL
2018 LINCOLN MKX SUV FWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,489 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 MARGINAL
2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,551 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 5 MARGINAL
2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS SUV FWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,551 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 5 MARGINAL
2018 VOLVO XC90 T5 SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,516 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2018 VOLVO XC90 T6 SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,516 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2018 VOLVO XC90 T8 SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,516 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2018 GMC ACADIA SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.6 SUV 4,295 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 MARGINAL
2018 AUDI Q5 SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.7 SUV 4,114 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 5 MARGINAL
2018 AUDI Q5 SUV AWD (later release)   SAFEST 1% 0.7 SUV 4,114 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 5 MARGINAL
2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC-CLASS 4WD    SAFEST 1% 0.7 SUV 4,026 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 5 GOOD
2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC-CLASS RWD    SAFEST 1% 0.7 SUV 4,026 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 5 GOOD
2018 GENESIS G80 4 DR AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.9 CAR 4,323 5 5 5 5 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
2018 GENESIS G80 4 DR RWD    SAFEST 1% 0.9 CAR 4,323 5 5 5 5 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
2018 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN FWD    SAFEST 1% 0.9 VAN 4,327 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2018 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 4 DR AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.9 CAR 4,308 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
2018 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 4 DR FWD    SAFEST 1% 0.9 CAR 4,308 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
2018 HONDA CR-V SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,396 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2018 HONDA CR-V SUV FWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,396 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,449 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON SUV FWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,449 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2018 MAZDA CX-5 SUV AWD (later release)   SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,498 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 5 GOOD
2018 MAZDA CX-5 SUV FWD (later release)   SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,498 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 5 GOOD
                                     
2017 LINCOLN MKX SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,489 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 MARGINAL
2017 LINCOLN MKX SUV FWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,489 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 MARGINAL
2017 VOLVO XC90 T5 SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,516 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 MARGINAL
2017 VOLVO XC90 T6 SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,516 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 MARGINAL
2017 VOLVO XC90 T8 SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,516 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 MARGINAL
2017 GMC ACADIA DENALI SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.6 SUV 4,295 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 MARGINAL
2017 GENESIS G80 4 DR AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.9 CAR 4,323 5 5 5 5 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2017 GENESIS G80 4 DR RWD    SAFEST 1% 0.9 CAR 4,323 5 5 5 5 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2017 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 4 DR AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.9 CAR 4,308 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
2017 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 4 DR RWD    SAFEST 1% 0.9 CAR 4,308 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 GOOD
2017 HONDA CR-V SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,396 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2017 HONDA CR-V SUV FWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,396 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2017 HYUNDAI TUCSON SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,449 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2017 HYUNDAI TUCSON SUV FWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,449 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
                                     
2016 LINCOLN MKX SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,489 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 MARGINAL
2016 LINCOLN MKX SUV FWD    SAFEST 1% 0.5 SUV 4,489 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 MARGINAL
2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON SUV AWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,449 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE
2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON SUV FWD    SAFEST 1% 1.0 SUV 3,449 5 5 5 4 GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 6 ACCEPTABLE

*SAFETY CATEGORIES:

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A.) SAFEST: all crash ratings in top quartile and NHTSA static rollover risk 4/5-Stars (no greater than the average rollover risk for an SUV class vehicle) and multi-vehicle crash factor not greater than 1.0 (driver fatality rate based on class/weight is not greater than the rate for the average passenger vehicle) and headlamp performance rated better than poor and front crash prevention system rated 5/6 (designated "superior" by IIHS which means frontal impact speed is reduced at least 10 m.p.h.)

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B.) LEAST SAFE: any crash rating in the bottom quartile and/or NHTSA static rollover risk 1/2/3–Stars (which is above the average risk for an SUV class vehicle) and/or multi-vehicle crash factor above 1.20 (driver fatality rate based on class/weight is at least 20 percent higher than the rate for the average passenger vehicle). Note: A vehicle is not classified as least safe if its only deficiencies are IIHS frontal crash prevention system score and headlamp performance rating.

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C.) REDUCED SAFETY: a vehicle that is not LEAST SAFE but has a least one crash rating between the top and bottom quartiles and/or multi-vehicle crash factor between 1.00–1.20 and/or IIHS frontal crash prevention system score less than 5 and/or IIHS headlamp performance rated poor.

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D.) SAFETY INDETERMINATE: any rating unknown, however, all known ratings meet the safest criteria.

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(For descriptions of vehicles used to perform crash tests use the search tool above to lookup individual vehicles.)

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** The MULTI-VEHICLE CRASH FACTOR (MVCF) is the ratio of the driver fatality rate for a vehicle based solely on its class and weight versus the average driver fatality rate for all passenger vehicles in multi-vehicle crashes (23 deaths per million registered vehicle-years). It is a measure of vehicle compatibility. The relative weight of a vehicle compared with one it collides with in a head-on crash is a critical determinant of the forces the occupants are subjected to, however, neither size or weight are evaluated in crash test ratings and must be assessed separately.

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*** The FRONTAL CRASH PREVENTION System evaluation conducted by IIHS assigns 1-to-6 points to vehicles equipped with frontal collision-prevention systems. The best score possible is 6 which requires a demonstrated reduction of impact speed of at least 22 m.p.h. Score = 5 demonstrated a reduction of 10-to-21 m.p.h. IIHS classifies scores of 5 or 6 as Superior. [In IIHS's 2018 report evaluating safety equipment they reported that auto-brake systems reduced front-to-rear crashes with injuries by 56 percent.]


**** Some vehicles offer multiple headlamps versions, depending on trim package and/or optional equipment and may perform differently than those rated above.



 

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.►3.) pdf file showing safety assessment and ratings for all 2011–2019 vehicles

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Every effort has been made to be accurate and objective, however all information is subject to errors and omissions.

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