What Are The Safest Cars To Survive An Accident?

Thanks to modern regulations, all new cars come with a baseline of safety, but if you've ever wondered about the best cars to survive an accident, you'll find some standouts in this helpful guide. Vehicle safety is a combination of several factors, including frame durability, automated technology, passive protective features, and overall reliability.

For your information, Sunroad Collision Center has taken a close look at the ratings by the IIHS (The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute), an organization that assembles statistics, performs crash tests, and hands out annual awards to top-performing vehicles.

So, which auto brands and specific models pass the test with flying colors? Keep reading to find out, and contact or visit Sunroad Collision Center with any follow-up questions on the most secure vehicles money can buy.

What Are the Safest Cars & SUVs To Survive an Accident?

The IIHS has two accolades: Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+. Added to the scoring system for 2013, the latter award applies stricter standards, particularly for backseat passengers, making it the highest honor a car can receive from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

IIHS 2025 Top Safety Pick+¹

• Honda Civic Hatchback
• Mazda3 Hatchback
• Mazda3 Sedan
• Honda Accord sedan
• Hyundai IONIQ 6 sedan
• Toyota Camry sedan
• Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan
• Genesis GV60 4-door SUV
• Honda HR-V SUV
• Hyundai IONIQ 5 SUV
• Hyundai Kona SUV
• Hyundai Tucson SUV
• Mazda CX-30 SUV
• Mazda CX-50 SUV
• Subaru Solterra SUV
• Buick Enclave SUV
• Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV
• Hyundai Santa Fe SUV
• Kia EV9 SUV
• Kia Telluride SUV
• Mazda CX-70 SUV
• Mazda CX-70 PHEV SUV
• Mazda CX-90 SUV
• Mazda CX-90 PHEV SUV
• Nissan Pathfinder SUV
• Audi Q6 e-tron SUV
• BMW X5 SUV
• Genesis Electrified GV70 SUV
• Genesis GV70 SUV
• Genesis GV80 SUV
• Lincoln Nautilus SUV
• Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV
• Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class SUV
• Volvo XC90 SUV
• Audi Q7 SUV
• INFINITI QX80 SUV
• Nissan Armada SUV
• Rivian R1S SUV
• Toyota Tundra Crew Cab Pickup

The IIHS 2024 Top Safety Pick+ list has some models that do not appear on the 2025 list. If you're looking into 2024 overstock or pre-owned models, consider²:

• Acura Integra hatchback
• Toyota Prius hatchback
• Genesis Electrified G80 sedan
• Genesis G80 sedan
• Genesis G90 sedan
• Subaru Forester
• Ford Explorer
• Honda Pilot
• Subaru Ascent
• Acura MDX
• BMW X3
• Lexus NX
• Tesla Model Y
• Rivian R1T

Understanding the Safest Models: Crash Statistics

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 29,135 people died in traffic crashes between January and September of 2024.³ Collisions happen all the time, but evaluating the best cars to survive an accident with can help you make a decision that protects you in those critical moments. To truly understand what makes a vehicle safe, it helps to know how safety is evaluated. For instance, the IIHS crash tests include categories like frontal crashworthiness, side crashworthiness, and head restraints, averaging each outcome together for a final safety score.

How To Pick the Safest Car

The safest vehicle depends on a range of factors. For example, a heavier car weight means more impact absorption in high-speed crashes, yet another reason why SUVs are great for families. As you dive into your research on a certain model, check to see if it is listed as one of the IIHS recommendations. You can also search for any recalls associated with the vehicle. Finally, look at IIHS and NHTSA safety ratings, as well as any standard or available driver-assistance features listed by the OEM. Automated prevention, such as Blind-Spot Monitors and Crash Mitigation systems, gives you an extra set of eyes on the road.