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Safest Cars: Top 9 Picks With the Best Crash Test Ratings

Which are the safest cars in 2023?

The safety standards of vehicles were always going to improve alongside the advancement in technology and human science, and as a result, some of the current brands of luxury cars are scoring perfect safety ratings. In other words, these cars are the world’s most reliable vehicles.

A quick look at how safety standards have changed over the past few years paints an interesting picture of how this evolution has practically gone supernova over the last decades.

The US passed the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, which basically founded the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to develop and apply safety standards for features like airbags, seat belts, and crash testing.

Nowadays, some of the safest cars in the world cruise US roads. But each manufacturer builds their vehicles uniquely, and some are way better than others. Without further ado, here are some of the safest cars based on crash test results from the top safety agencies, along with any awards from the Institute of Insurance and Highway Safety (IIHS).

safest cars
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1. 2023 Honda Civic

Launched into the market back in 1972, the Civic is one of Honda’s most popular models today. The first Honda Civic was a 2-door economy vehicle that featured a small but relatively lively 52-hi 1.2-liter transverse-mounted engine.

Through several iterations, the humble Civic turned into a JDM icon, often serving as the basis for many tuning enthusiasts’ project cars and many street races.

This is the 11th-generation Civic, and it continues to hold its high rank as one of the best and safest cars in the country. Therefore, it’s also one of the most sought-after compact vehicles in the US.

2. 2023 Mazda 3

In 2019, Mazda redesigned the Mazda 3, and it poses as a fun-to-drive vehicle with energetic acceleration and excellent handling. Customers get value, efficiency, performance, and safety in an affordable package.

The Mazda 3 is available in hatchback or sedan forms, and both deliver good crashworthiness and superior crash mitigation and avoidance based on crash test results by the IIHS. Furthermore, the 2023 model got upgrades to the rear and front side airbags to boost occupant protection in side crashes, making it one of the safest cars available on the market.

But that’s not all; every Mazda 3 model boasts several standard driver assistance technologies, including automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beam headlights.

3. 2023 Toyota Camry

Toyota is another brand that builds some of the safest cars, and the Camry is one of them. The model delivers an excellent engine lineup, including a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine, and a hybridized 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.

In the most recent NHTSA crash tests, the 2023 Toyota Camry scored an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars. Moreover, it was also an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with excellent crash scores across the board.

The model is one of the safest cars you can purchase these days and boasts an impressive line-up of superior crash avoidance and mitigation systems like forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and more. According to the IIHS, the Camry Hybrid XLE is equipped with the safest adaptive units.

safest cars
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4. 2023 Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback is a rugged SUV, and it’s the Legacy’s tougher-looking wagon alternative. Both models pose as equals among the safest cars in a crash. The pair got Good and Superior ratings in all IIHS crashworthiness, collision mitigation, and avoidance tests.

Not only does the Subaru boast many popular safety features, but it also gets a hard-to-overlook plus with its low starting price, making it one of the most budget-friendly sedans with the highest safety ratings.

All Outback models come with the brand’s EyeSight suite of driver assistance technologies, including forward collision warning, automated emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist.

5. 2022 Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V has remained one of the most popular compact SUVs in America over the years. As one of the safest cars and best all-around performers on the market, it’s an excellent choice for drivers looking for a spacious, comfortable, reliable, and practical vehicle with low repair costs and good resale value.

The brand is also keen on safety, and the 2022 CR-V model year for its fifth generation won the 2023 IIHS award for its great ratings on crash tests and crash avoidance.

No matter how safe your car is, it’s important to have an emergency kit in your trunk. Here’s one with lots of positive reviews!

6. 2023 Volvo S60

The 2023 Volvo S60 is an impressive vehicle that features super build quality and an excellent interior, created using upscale materials. Lots of people were looking forward to seeing and testing the model, and it hasn’t disappointed in that regard.

Volvo is synonymous with prioritizing safety in its vehicles and has a reputation for making some of the safest cars on the road. It was one of the first automakers to implement safety features like three-point seat belts, way before safety was of such huge importance.

Furthermore, it has introduced new, ground-breaking technologies in recent years, meaning models like the Volvo S60 consistently receive great ratings in crash tests.

7. 2023 Toyota RAV4

According to data, in 2022, crossover SUVs accounted for more than 45% of the 13.7 million passenger cars sold in the US. With over 333,000 units sold that year, the Toyota RAV4 became America’s best-selling SUV.

Moreover, the market demand for this car isn’t limited to the North American region. In fact, the RAV4 model was the top-selling SUV in the world for the fourth consecutive year in 2022, after recording 868,309 units sold worldwide.

Finally, the Toyota RAV4 also ranked second among the best-selling passenger vehicles in the world, coming after only one other model—the Toyota Corolla.

This being said, it’s no wonder it’s one of the safest cars available on the market right now.

safest cars
Photo by Mike Mareen from Shutterstock

8. 2023 Lexus UX

The 2023 Lexus UX is a luxury subcompact SUV delivering a comfortable ride with a high-quality interior. Although the NHTSA hasn’t tested the 2023 model yet, the 2022 model received an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

The IIHS named the Lexus UX a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ with a rating of Super for crash prevention, a rating of Good in all crash tests, and a rating of Good for its headlights. =

As one of the safest cars available on the market, the UX features an array of driver assistance technologies, including automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assists, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with lane centering.

9. 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 model was something many people were looking forward to. Besides the stellar safety ratings, the XC90 delivers many luxury appointments, including a high-quality interior with impressive tech and an attractive design.

Volvo also offers the sumptuous three-row crossover with a posh interior, sufficient turbocharged power, and six- and seven-seat configurations. Whichever the case, passengers can rest assured of top safety, knowing that the XC90 received a great rating from NHTSA across all crash-worthiness tests.

As one of the safest cars on the market, the XC90 comes standard with advanced active crash prevention features like blind spot monitoring with steering assist, active lane control, automatic emergency braking, and an adaptive LED headlight.

The new Volvo XC90 performed well in every crash test, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a perfect five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

If you liked our article on the safest cars, you may also want to learn 5 Most Dangerous American Cars To Stay Away From.

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