Safety is a very high priority when buying a car. While you may consider the car’s features, price, performance, visual appeal, and reliability, your car’s ability to protect you and your family is very important.
So, if you are searching for your dream car, you might want to check out these sleek designs that have scored a perfect 10 on U.S. News’ Safety Score and most of which have received five-star ratings through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These cars have gone through rigorous crash testing from the NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Three crash tests are performed by the NHTSA, which test the side, front, and rollover safety of each of these cars, while the IIHS performs five crash tests, at minimum, and gives assessments that test all advanced safety systems within your car. The IIHS’ uses a Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor rating system, and tests the headlights to ensure they remain functional should an accident occur.
The IIHS states that for a car to be included in the Top Safety Pick club, they must demonstrate a Good rating in multiple areas including the driver-side small overlap, roof strength, moderate overlap front, side, head restraint, and must also score an Advanced to Superior rating within the area of front crash prevention, and Acceptable to Good headlights. To be promoted to the elusive Top Safety Pick+ club, a car must receive a Good rating for its headlights. As U.S. News scores change when new data and expert reviews come in, these rankings may change.
In general, these cars will allow you to check a large worry off of your list, so here they are.
TOYOTA CAMRY
Toyota has really excelled on their redesigned 2018 Camry. Grabbing a spot in the elusive IIHS Top Safety Pick+, this car is built with rearview camera and Toyota’s own Safety Sense P technology, which comes on all models. Features that prove the impressive safety of this car include a head-up display, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, pre-collision that alerts the driver to pedestrians, automatic high beams, assistance when you are leaving your lane which includes steering assist, and alerting and braking when someone crosses your car from behind. Not to mention, it gets five stars in all tests performed by the NHTSA.
For the ultimate safety of not only you and your family but all those who cross paths with your car, choosing a Toyota Camry is an excellent choice.
HONDA ACCORD
Making the Top Safety Pick list, the Honda Accord receives full marks for each test given by the NHTSA and a Good rating for IIHS evaluations. There are six IIHS evaluations and they are very rigorous.
Why was this car picked as a Top Safety Pick?
With superior protection against front crashes, acceptable headlight durability, the Honda Sensing System which is built to keep you in your lane, recognize traffic signs, rearview camera, a warning when you are getting close to a forward collision, and cruise control that adapts to your surrounding, there is no way this car couldn’t be included.
HONDA CIVIC
Honda has perfected their formula, placing two styles of their cars on this list, though this one did not take home the prize. IIHS has reported the 2018 Honda Civic has received a Good rating in all six IIHS evaluations and Superior for its ability to prevent front crashes. While this car deserves accolades for this accomplishment, it did not make the Top Safety Pick because it received a Poor rating of its headlights.
Optionally, you can add the Honda Sensing Suite to your car and get the benefit of a warning when you veer out of your lane, assistance when you are about to leave your lane, collision warnings and braking assistance, and a camera that will remove passenger-side blind spots.
KIA CADENZA
The Cadenza sedan did not receive ratings from the NHTSA, but received a very pleasing Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, and boasts a Superior rating for its ability to prevent front crashes and an Acceptable rating for its headlights. It’s important to note that the equipment needed to prevent frontal crashes and most other features do not come standard with this model. The only feature that is standard is the rearview camera.
A variety of additional features including a head-up display alerts when traffic is crossing the rear of your car, a 360-degree camera that will assist with parking, and warnings of forward collisions including automatic braking, are available to purchase.
BUICK LACROSSE
With a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Good in each of the IIHS’ five safest tests, the LaCrosse has proven its design is not only sleek and fashionable but safe. Though, due to its Poor rating headlights, it missed the mark on becoming a Top Safety Pick.
Standard safety features include sensors that help with parking and a rearview camera. Additional equipment that is available includes blind spot monitoring, active park assists, assistance centering your vehicle when you are leaving your lane, automatic emergency braking, and Buick’s Safety Alert Seat. This amazing technology vibrates the driver’s side seat when hazards are detected by the vehicle.
CHEVROLET VOLT
A standout, the Chevrolet Volt passed all five NHTSA tested and aced every IIHS evaluation that was thrown at it, putting it on the Top Safety Pick club.
This magnificent car comes standard with Teen Driver and rearview camera assistance. Geared to help new or teen drivers, parents can breathe easier when handing the keys to their teens. Equipment that is optionally available is parking assistance with automatic activation, an indicator that will help you stay within proper following distance, and many of the other features of the previous cars.
So, go ahead, hand over the keys. The Chevrolet Volt will help your teen stay safe on the road.
Finally, another amazing car that should be noted is the Audi R8. While not on this list, this luxury supercar has a history of amazing safety and a design that will turn many heads. Boasting impressive stability control, front, side, overhead, and knee airbags, the Audi R8 will protect you from all sides. Not to mention, the pretensioners on the seat belt will boost your optimal placement in your seat should a collision occur. In addition, the security system disables the engine when any other key but the original key is inserted. So, not only will the Audi R8 protect your from injury, it will also protect you from theft.
These are some of the top-rated cars in 2018. Purchase one and invest in all of the upgrades to give yourself the best and safest ride you can imagine.