According to the NSC (National Safety Council), about 40,000 road-accident related deaths occurred in the US in 2018. The good news is that this number is slightly lower than the number of deaths recorded in 2017. The reason for the decline may be intertwined with the high safety standards of modern vehicles. Because of the ratings from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), it is somewhat easier to find vehicles that can protect drivers and passengers in the event of a collision or an accident.
Just like the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), the IIHS churns out its results in a simple and straight forward way. The performance of vehicles is doled out as Poor, Good, Marginal, or Acceptable.
In this article, we will be looking at some of the safest cars on the market. The cars that made our list have a five-star rating from NHTSA. Even more, they are IIHS’s top picks.
All of these vehicles are 2019 model year.
10 Genesis G80
The G80, which is somewhat better than the G70, is one of the safest cars on the market right now. It features an automatic braking system, exterior camera system, touch screen infotainment system, high-tech blind-spot monitor, and lane-departure warning. Even more, it has adaptive cruise control and a special rear cross-traffic alert system.
The IIHS gave the G80 a good rating for collision prevention. That said, you need to keep in mind that the regular or entry-level G80, comes with average headlights. To get top-notch LED headlights, you need to opt for either the Genesis G80 5.0 or the Genesis G80 Sport.
9 Honda Insight
The Honda Insight is an incredible masterpiece that features an automatic braking system, LED tail and headlamps, and top-notch lane-keeping assist. As you would expect from a hybrid sedan, the Honda aced the crash tests for the IIHS and the NHTSA. One striking thing about the car is that all its models sailed through the various crash tests they were subjected to. Because of this, you won’t have to pay extra to get the full safety and security package as all Honda Insights on the market offer the same level of security.
8 Kia Optima
The Kia Optima SX is a remarkable car with an impressive safety rating. Its remarkable LED headlamps, emergency braking, and collision warning system put it on top of the IIHS top safest cars. Keep in mind that the aforementioned safety features are only offered on the Kia Optima SX model. So, if you opt for the Optima LX, you aren’t going to enjoy these features. Note that the SX also comes with a 360-degree exterior camera and a handful of features that will wow you. The bottom line is that the Kia Optima is a great option for safety-conscious customers.
7 Mercedes Benz E-Class
The Mercedes Benz E-class is undoubtedly one of the safest cars on the market right now, as reported by the IIHS. Its jaw-dropping exterior lighting, advanced automatic high-beams, adaptive cruise control, and impressive blind-spot monitoring helped it sail through the NHTSA and IIHS crash tests. If you are looking for a safe car that can go very fast, then you should opt for the Mercedes-AMG E53. The Benz E300 is also a great option because it passed the tests it was subjected to by the IIHS with flying colors.
6 Lincoln Continental
The Lincoln Continental is a luxurious masterpiece, that offers unfathomable safety and comfort. The 2019 models of the Lincoln Continental all have a blind-spot monitoring system, emergency braking, a pedestrian detection system and a handful of other accident mitigation systems. Needless to say, the Continental is a great car, but all of its models don’t offer the same level of safety.
If you are looking for the complete package with premium quality headlights and other safety features, then you should opt for either the black label model or the reverse trim. Both models were highly rated by the IIHs.
5 Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata is a high-performance mid-sized vehicle. However, for the vehicle in question to qualify for top-safety scores and pass the collision prevention tests by the IIHS, it has to be equipped with a driver-assistance feature. With this feature, the car will have everything from pedestrian detection systems and automated braking to halogen headlights and lane-keeping assist. If you are looking for a budget-friendly vehicle that offers remarkable safety features, then you should opt for the Sonata Limited. As you would expect from a top-notch car, the Sonata Limited features premium quality upholstery, auto-dimming rear mirrors, and comfortable, well-ventilated seats.
4 Toyota Camry
The new Toyota Camry models are equipped with collision mitigation and safety features like lane-keeping alert, 10 airbags, emergency braking system, LED headlights, and lane-departure warning. While most Toyota Camry models are great and armed with a handful of safety features, the XLE hybrid is by far the safest, as reported by the IIHS. The XLE hybrid is the only Camry model that is fitted with adaptive headlights that will swivel in the direction you are driving. This feature is what enabled it to earn a high rating by the IIHS. This top of the line award for safety only applies to certain vehicles with particular features.
3 Subaru Legacy
The Subaru is a posh and eye-catching car that offers distinguished driver assistance features like automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, as well as an impressive adaptive cruise control. All Subaru Legacy models on the market possess these features. That being said, you need to bear in mind that only the limited models are highly rated by the IIHS. The reason for this is that they are equipped with superior LED headlamps that are not offered in standard models. These limited models also possess a power sunroof and moonroof and an 8.0-inch LED display and a special navigation system.
2 Subaru Impreza
The Subaru Impreza is a top-notch vehicle that is armed with impressive driver-assistance features like lane-keeping assist, emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. However, only the limited models are highly rated by the IIHS as they are embedded with impressive features like LED headlights. Although the top of the line Impreza has won one the coveted IIHS Safety Awards, it comes as the auto industry is trying to recover from Volkswagen fudging emissions tests and now with Subaru admitting to falsifying steering and braking data. This is a scandal that is seriously hurting the reputation of the company and the auto industry in general.
1 Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is a classy and safe vehicle that is equipped with a driver assistance package which comprises of automatic LED headlights, adaptive cruise controls, automated braking, blind-spot monitoring and a handful of other collision prevention features. The LED lamps that come with this vehicle are of supreme quality and are highly rated by the IIHS. Bear in mind that all of the Subaru Outback models on the market don’t offer the same level of safety. Trim and optional equipment can make a difference. If you are looking for the best of the best, then you should opt for either a Touring model or a Limited.
Final Note:
Safety is undeniably one of the main thing car shoppers consider before making a final decision. Of course, price, reliability, visual appearance are important as well, but if the car isn’t going to keep you and your family safe, chances are, you won’t purchase.
Thanks to the IIHS, it is easier for car shoppers to narrow down cars armed with safety features that can help reduce the odds of a collision.
So, when buying your next car, do well to check its IIHS ratings before marking a purchase.