When you are searching for a new vehicle, you need to make sure that you take the safest car brands into consideration. You are about to make real-world engineering decisions, so you need to ensure crash-test performance, fatality statistics, and advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS). For example, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports an overall driver-death rate of 38 deaths per million registered vehicle years for 2020-equivalent models in the U.S. reflecting how far car safety has come.
If long-term value matters to you just as much as safety, it’s worth looking at how well certain models hold their price over time. Sherpa breaks this down referring to the best resale value cars, which pairs perfectly with the safety data when choosing your next vehicle. In this article, we will highlight specific brands with top reputations, and help you understand how to use this information while purchasing a vehicle and transporting it through a partner like Sherpa Auto Transport.
Key Takeaways
- The best car brands embed safety features into their engineering and design, it is not just one standout model.
- Independent ratings reflect crash tests and real-world data show the full picture of fatality and injury stats, both matter.
- Several newer brands offer strong safety without luxury-level pricing.
- After selecting a safe car, transport your car through a trusted service like Sherpa, which offers a Price Lock Promise and top-rated customer service.
In This Guide:
- What are the Safest Car Brands
- What is the Safest Car?
- Vehicle Safety Ratings – How Do They Work?
- Bottom Line
- Safest Car Brands FAQ
What are the Safest Car Brands
The safest car brands are the ones that consistently deliver strong crash test results. They have low fatality rates, and come with advanced safety tech across their lineup. These brands usually perform well in independent crash-testing. For instance, NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings program allows consumers to compare by manufacturer. They also collect real-world data for fatalities, injuries and recalls.
1. Volvo
When talking about safest car brands, Volvo is a name that has positioned itself practically synonymous with safety. The company’s own Safety Standard says that their designs are based on real-life accident data that goes back to 1970. Volvo’s commitment to safety goes beyond the usual crash-test performance. Its cars are equipped with next-generation technology like Pilot Assist, City Safety Collision Avoidance, and Run-off Road Protection, which automatically tighten seatbelts.
Also, it prepares the suspension if the system senses an imminent road departure. Every Volvo also includes a 360° camera system and automatic braking for intersections, this is a rare standard feature. This holistic approach has made Volvo a global benchmark for automotive safety innovation.
- Volvo’s Safest Model: The Volvo XC90 often gets cited as a top safe model.
- Price range: Roughly $55,000–$70,000 for mainstream trims, higher for luxury variants.
2. Toyota
Toyota is known for combining strong safety scores with reliability and value. According to U.S. News, Toyota consistently ranks among the safest brands. Every Toyota comes standard with the brand’s Safety Sense 3.0, a suite that includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, and pedestrian detection.
The automaker continuously upgrades these systems with machine learning and camera-radar fusion. These features improve how the vehicle “sees” and reacts to hazards. Models like the Camry, Corolla, and Highlander often score full marks from both IIHS and NHTSA. This reflects Toyota’s balanced approach to affordability and protection.
- Toyota’s Safest Model: The Toyota Corolla Cross 4-door SUV has earned top safety ratings in small SUVs.
- Price range: From mid-$30,000 for compact SUVs up to $50K+ for larger/more equipped versions.
3. Mazda
Mazda may not always get the spotlight, but it has very strong safety test results. The CX-30 earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick +. Mazda’s engineering philosophy, known as Jinba Ittai, which means “driver and car as one”, contributes directly to safety. Its vehicles are designed for precise handling and balanced weight distribution which allows drivers to better avoid accidents in the first place.
The i-Activsense suite includes blind-spot monitoring, smart brake support along with rear cross-traffic alerts. These are all tuned for real-world conditions. The CX-30, in particular, earned high marks for its exceptional crashworthiness and strong structural integrity.
- Mazda’s Safest Vehicle: Mazda 3-4 Door Hatchback is positioned as one of the safest cars in small cars.
- Price range: Typically $24,000–$40,000 depending on model/trim.
4. Honda
Honda vehicles frequently earn perfect scores in Car and Driver’s “Safest Cars” lists for 2025. Honda has long been a leader in passive and active safety. Its ACE Body Structure (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) design disperses crash energy evenly throughout the frame to reduce passenger injury.
Every new Honda also includes Honda Sensing®, a full package of driver-assist technologies such as collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. The Accord and CR-V routinely score 5 stars overall in NHTSA evaluations, showcasing Honda’s meticulous engineering.
- Honda’s Safest Model: Honda Accord 4 Door Sedan (2025 version)
Price range: Sedans from $29,000, SUVs/more advanced trims higher.
5. Genesis
As the luxury sub-brand of Hyundai, Genesis is gaining traction for safety, both in tech and testing, as per Car and Driver. Genesis combines luxury craftsmanship with cutting-edge safety technology. Each of their models comes with Highway Driving Assist, Forward Attention Warning, and Blind-Spot View Monitor, features that not only help prevent crashes but also reduce driver fatigue. The GV70 and G80 both achieved IIHS Top Safety Pick+ ratings, reflecting excellence in both crash avoidance and occupant protection.
Beyond technology, Genesis focuses on smart materials and design. Reinforced high-strength steel frames, 10 airbags as standard, and 3D driver monitoring showcase its premium safety emphasis. Genesis also earned top marks for its advanced LED lighting system, which adapts to road curvature and traffic, improving nighttime visibility. This mix of luxury, innovation, and reassurance makes Genesis a top choice among safety-minded luxury buyers.
- Genesis’ Safest Model: Genesis G90 4 Door Sedan (2026)
- Price range: Entry luxury from ~$50,000, up for higher trims.
6. Kia
Kia’s 2025 Telluride scored 10/10 in Car and Driver’s safest SUVs list. Kia’s rise to prominence in the safety world has been nothing short of impressive. Its Drive Wise technology suite includes forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and safe exit assist to protect passengers when doors open near oncoming traffic. The 2025 Telluride and Sportage both received IIHS Top Safety Pick+ ratings thanks to their exceptional crash-test performance and robust driver-assistance systems.
- Kia’s Safest Model: Kia EV9 4 Door Sedan is positioned as one of the safest cars in Midsize SUVs.
- Price range: Roughly $38,000 and up for large SUV trims.
What is the Safest Car?
The safest car brand is the one that offers the best guarantee of occupant protection, crash-avoidance technology and dependable safety engineering across its lineup. Based on the evidence, Volvo earns strong claims to that title thanks to decades of safety innovation and consistent top-tier ratings. That said, Toyota and Mazda offer excellent safety and value, which may make them the practical choice for many buyers.
Since many of the safest vehicles on the road today are SUVs, it’s helpful to compare different models based on size and features. Sherpa’s detailed research on the best SUVs gives shoppers a clearer idea of which options balance safety, comfort, and capability.
Vehicle Safety Ratings – How Do They Work?
Vehicle safety ratings are designed to give drivers an easy way to understand how well a car can protect them in different types of crashes, and several organizations around the world contribute to these scores. In the U.S., the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration assigns vehicles a 5-Star Safety Rating based on how they perform in frontal, side-impact, and rollover tests. The higher the stars, the better the overall protection.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety takes a slightly different approach, issuing Top Safety Pick and the more rigorous Top Safety Pick+ awards for vehicles that excel in crashworthiness, crash avoidance, and headlight performance. In Europe, the Euro NCAP program uses its own scoring categories, evaluating adult occupant safety, child passenger protection, vulnerable road user impact, and advanced safety-assist technologies. Together, these testing bodies help buyers compare vehicles across markets and understand which models offer the strongest real-world safety.
For drivers who prefer buying vehicles assembled in the U.S., safety isn’t the only factor to think about. Sherpa’s roundup of the best American-made cars is a useful resource for comparing models that deliver strong crash-test scores while supporting domestic manufacturing.
Bottom Line
Selecting one of the safest car brands is a smart move if safety is a top priority. Once you pick that vehicle, you will want to bring it home. That’s where Sherpa Auto Transport comes into the picture. We are backed by strong reviews, a Price Lock Promise, and excellent customer service. Once you are ready to transport your carefully selected vehicle model with outstanding safety, it is important that you opt for a trusted transporter that gives you peace of mind from purchase through delivery.
Safest Car Brands FAQ
Which car brand has the lowest fatality rate?
Smaller vehicles naturally offer less protection in a crash because their lighter weight means they absorb more of the impact when colliding with larger, heavier vehicles. That said, brand-wide fatality rates are harder to determine comprehensively; it’s best to look at individual models and years.
How do I buy a car and ship it to my house?
First, pick your vehicle (a safe brand/model helps). Then, if you are relocating or buying out of state, contact a reputable auto transport service like Sherpa Auto Transport, they will handle logistics, timing, pickup, and delivery.
What is the best website to buy a car?
Are safe cars more expensive?
Not necessarily. While some luxury safety-brands cost more, the safety features are increasingly common in mainstream models. Brands like Mazda and Kia offer strong safety for lower price ranges. So yes, there may be a premium, but you don’t always need to pay luxury prices for very good safety.
Sources
- Forbes – The Off-Lease Used Cars Having The Highest—And Lowest—Death Rates
- NHTSA – Ratings
- Euroncap – Latest Safety Ratings
- Car and Driver – Safety Vehicles
- Cars.US News – Safest Car Brands for 2025
