Safety is one of the most important factors modern consumers consider when buying a new or used car. Aware of this fact, automakers have been relentless in their pursuit of safety solutions that cater to the well-being of drivers, passengers, and other road users. One way manufacturers have attempted to improve the safety offered through their vehicles is by equipping them with extensive safety systems that help avoid or reduce collision impact.
Carmakers now also ensure to build robust body shells with high tensile steel that can absorb impact and reduce the risk of injury in instances where accidents have already occurred.
For their part, safety organizations such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) put many of these cars through various tests to assess their safety. All factors considered, we've identified the 10 safest cars to buy in 2023. Read on to see which small and midsize cars make the cut.
10 2023 Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has always been known for being a safe, reliable vehicle, and the latest iteration has preserved all these qualities while also being comfortable.
The 2023 Camry has many standard safety features, including forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and lane-trace assist.
9 2023 Hyundai Sonata
After several years in the shadows, Hyundai has finally stepped into the spotlight as the brand's value continues to rise due to perceived excellence in quality. Hyundai's growth is thanks to cars such as the Sonata, which delivers a roomy interior, stylish looks, and responsive performance.
Efficient and exceptionally well-equipped, the Sonata has an overall safety rating of five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, earning five stars in the side crash and rollover tests and four stars in the frontal crash test. Shoppers will also find an avalanche of advanced safety features in this car, including a driver-attention monitoring system that's designed to observe and spur drivers who appear absent-minded, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-tracing assist, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control.
8 2023 Hyundai Elantra
Yet another Hyundai slugging it out with the industry's biggest names. The Elantra is comfortable, has lots of tech, and is filled with safety amenities.
As standard, you get forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, driver-attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and safe-exit alert.
7 2023 Honda Civic
With the all-new Accord yet to be fully assessed by NHTSA and the Insight now discontinued, the Civic is left as Honda's lone representative on this list. Thankfully, it has proven to be a fine rep and could be a solid car for anyone who's after a well-built, comfortable sedan or hatchback.
The 2023 Civic has a five-star overall NHTSA safety rating, scoring five stars in the side crash and rollover tests and four stars in the frontal crash test. Similarly, the IIHS has awarded the Civic the highest rating of Good in five of its six crash tests and the second-highest rating of Acceptable in its side crash test. All these excellent crash ratings have culminated in the institute giving the Civic the prestigious "Top Safety Pick+" award.
6 2023 Kia Stinger
The 2023 model year may be its last hurrah, but Kia's sport sedan will bow out on a high. The finish remains true to form, the front seats are very comfortable, and the handling and performance is extraordinary, thanks to a well-judged suspension and robust powertrain options.
As for safety, the Stinger is as tough as it looks, having scored five stars out of five in NHTSA crash tests. This Kia also features a deluge of advanced driver assistance systems, including forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver-attention monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane centering.
5 2023 Toyota Corolla
The Corolla continues to prove a remarkable choice when it comes to safety, comfort, reliability, and value for money. For 2023, this compact car features the latest Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which bundles a wide range of standard driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, lane tracing assist, and road sign assist.
The Corolla also earned a 5-star overall safety rating in all test assessments conducted by the NHTSA, including five stars for both front and side impacts, as well as four stars in the rollover test.
4 2023 Golf Volkswagen GTI
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Nicely built and enjoyable to drive, the Volkswagen GTI is a sharp hatchback with superb handling, quick acceleration, and an impressive amount of standard equipment. This car features an 8.25-inch touch screen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, a wireless smartphone charger, heated front sport seats, as well as a leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel.
The 2023 Golf GTI safety features list is just as impressive. It includes forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, highway driving assist, rain-sensing windshield wipers, front and rear parking sensors, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist.
3 2023 Mazda Mazda3
The brilliantly packaged Mazda 3 is yet another Japanese with exceptional safety credentials for 2023. The compact car received the highest rating of good in all IIHS crash tests and received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the institute. It also bundles various advanced safety systems, including driver-attention monitoring, adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist.
That, added to the rest of the car's appeal, such as a high-end interior, user-friendly infotainment system, and fun-to-drive character, makes for a compelling package.
2 2023 Acura Integra
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The revived Acura Integra is an excellent all-around luxury small car. The only thing really letting it down is the excessive road noise. If you can look past that, you'll end up with a lot of car for 'little' money. This four-door hatchback is a joy to drive, thanks to a roomy, super modern cabin, a solid and efficient engine, as well as a communicative, responsive, and compliant chassis.
In terms of safety, this car is a recipient of the "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS for its exceptional build quality and high safety levels.
1 2023 Volkswagen Arteon
The Volkswagen Arteon rules the roost when it comes to protecting occupants and other road users in 2023. Equipped with a myriad of safety features, Arteon was awarded a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and received the highest rating of Good in all six crash tests conducted by the organization.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also gave the Arteon a rating of Good for its headlights' exceptional ability to illuminate the road at night and the highest rating of Superior for its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system.