Safety is the most vital aspect of vehicle design. The level of protection a car provides influences consumer choices, drives industry innovations, and sets standards for future makes and models.
The top car manufacturing countries are home to extensive crash tests to ensure vehicles meet the highest safety standards before hitting the market. Each car must undergo at least six crash tests before being eligible for sale in the United States.
In the US, car safety ratings consider physical crash tests and digital safety features. Previously, vehicles could excel in crashworthiness and get high marks. Now, vehicles must also integrate advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to be considered among the safest cars in the nation.
Here's an in-depth look at the safest vehicles in the USA for 2025.
Top 10 Safest Cars in the USA (2025 Edition)
- Volvo XC90 (5 Star)
- Tesla Model S (5 Star)
- Genesis G90 (5-star)
- BMW i5 (5-star)
- Mazda CX-50 (5-star)
- Audi Q8 e-tron (5-star)
- Toyota RAV4 (5-star)
- Mercedes EQ (5-star)
- Volkswagen ID.4 (5-star)
- Lexus RX (5-star)
Safety ratings often define a car's value and longevity in the marketplace, from the most anticipated SUVs to the fastest muscle cars in the world.
Top 10 Safest Cars with Their Global NCAP Rating (2025)
VEHICLES OVERALL RATING FRONTAL CRASH SIDE CRASH ROLLOVER
| VEHICLES | OVERALL RATING | FRONTAL CRASH | SIDE CRASH | ROLLOVER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo XC90 | 5 Star | 5 Star | 5 Star | 4 Star |
| Tesla Model S | 5 Star | 5 Star | 5 Star | 5 Star |
| Genesis G90 | 5-star | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated |
| BMW i5 | 5-star | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated |
| Mazda CX-50 | 5-star | 5 Star | Not Rated | 5 Star |
| Audi Q8 e-tron | 5-star | 4 Star | 5 Star | 5 Star |
| Toyota RAV4 | 5-star | 4 Star | 5 Star | 4 Star |
| Mercedes EQ | 5-star | Not Rated | Not Rated | 5 Star |
| Volkswagen ID.4 | 5-star | 5-star | 5-star | 4 Star |
| Lexus RX | 5-star | 4 Star | 5-star | 4 Star |
Looking Beyond the List: Safety for Every
Segment Safety doesn’t have to take a back seat, even for smaller cars or compact crossovers. If you’re eyeing a sedan or a small SUV, many models on the road today deliver advanced protection thanks to innovative crash structures and digital safety tech. The cars above represent a range of sizes and styles, but all uphold a strong commitment to keeping drivers and passengers secure.
How to Get the Highest Safety Rating?
Automobile safety ratings are assessed by independent organizations such as:
· National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
· Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
· European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP)
Safety tests are crucial for assessing a vehicle’s structural integrity and occupant protection. There are also several other categories these tests consider, including:
· Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
· Pedestrian location and protection
· Cyclist location and protection
· Vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention technology
The safest vehicles in the US must excel at withstanding crashes and integrating state-of-the-art technologies to prevent those accidents in the first place.
What Is the Safest Car Brand in America?
The safest car brands in America for 2025 are:
1. Volvo
Volvo leads the automotive industry in balancing AI-boosted crash protection and protective vehicle design.
2. Toyota/Lexus
Toyota and Lexus rank high in terms of safety, reliability, and technological integration.
3. Honda/Acura
Honda and Acura sit at the cutting edge of driver-assist technology.
4. Mazda
Mazda continues to deliver well-rounded vehicles that perform well in crash tests across the board.
5. Tesla
Tesla continues to corner the EV market with advancements in automation and structural integrity.
What Car Brand Is #1 in Safety?
Volvo is our pick for the safest car brand in the United States for 2025. The company continues to intensify its focus on pedestrian safety, driver-assist programming, side-impact protection, and overall structural durability. Their cache of sedans, SUVs, and other passenger vehicles consistently pull four to five stars from multiple safety organizations.
Which Car Has the Best Safety Features?
The 2025 Tesla Model S stands out among the safest cars in the world thanks to the following innovative safety features:
· Obstacle-aware acceleration
· Lane departure avoidance
· Automatic emergency braking
· Forward collision warning
· Blind spot collision warning
· Upgradable safety software
What Is the Safest Car in a Crash Test?
The 2025 Genesis G90 has received multiple commendations and awards for structural soundness, AI-assisted crash avoidance, in-cab passenger safety features, and more. It remains our pick for the safest car, according to crash tests in 2025.
What Is the Number 1 Safest SUV?
The 2025 Volvo XC90 paces the industry in SUV safety. It includes advanced driver safety technologies like: continues to lead in SUV safety. Equipped with advanced driver aids like:
· Automatic emergency braking
· Blind-spot information system
· Cross-traffic alert
· Adaptive cruise control
· Lane-keeping assist
· Rear collision mitigation support
· 360-degree camera
· Road sign information system
· Slippery road alert
The Volvo XC90 also features front and rear park assist and the industry-leading IntelliSafe suite, making it our choice for the safest SUV.
What Car Is Most Likely to Survive a Crash?
Larger vehicles tend to perform better in collisions, especially SUVs. If you're looking for a family-focused vehicle built to avoid and withstand the worst of accidents, look to SUVs from brands like Volvo, Toyota, Honda, and Mazda.
What SUV Is the Best Value for Money?
The 2025 Chevrolet Traxmissed our top ten safest cars in the United States, but it's still the best-value SUV in 2025. Trax owners enjoy exceptional safety and reliability ratings, all at a very affordable sticker price.
How Interior Quality and Infotainment Influence Safety and Comfort
A car’s safety goes beyond airbags and structural integrity, interior quality and infotainment systems play a critical role in keeping drivers and passengers secure and comfortable on the road.
Enhanced Comfort for Better Focus
High-quality interiors are not just about soft-touch materials or eye-catching design. Supportive seating, spacious layouts, and intuitive cabin controls allow drivers to maintain focus during long drives. When the seats are ergonomically designed and materials reduce fatigue, drivers are less likely to lose concentration, directly impacting safety.
- Thoughtful layouts keep key controls within easy reach, cutting down on distraction.
- Climate controls and sound insulation reduce stress, allowing drivers to remain alert.
Intuitive Infotainment: Reducing Distractions
Modern infotainment systems go far beyond playing music, they are now command centers for navigation, connectivity, and advanced safety technologies. Large, easy-to-read touch screens and digital instrument clusters improve visibility of key information, such as upcoming turns or real-time safety alerts.
Voice-activated and hands-free functions enable drivers to adjust navigation or climate without taking their eyes off the road.
Integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offers seamless access to personal devices in a safer manner.
Supporting Safety Tech
Many advanced driver assistance features, like lane keep assist, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring, are delivered via the infotainment system. Clear, intuitive displays ensure drivers receive timely alerts and respond quickly to potential hazards.
- Real-time feedback and customizable settings help tailor safety systems to individual preferences.
- Some vehicles use predictive sensors and heads-up displays to warn drivers of unseen dangers ahead.
Practicality Meets Peace of Mind
A well-designed interior also accounts for families, spacious rear seats, generous cargo areas, and accessible child seat anchors are essential for those traveling with loved ones. Meanwhile, a seamless infotainment experience means less fiddling, less frustration, and more time spent keeping eyes on the road.
Ultimately, the attention automakers pay to interiors and technology has a tangible impact on both safety and daily comfort. This holistic approach is a key factor separating the top-rated vehicles from the rest of the pack.
What Makes the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 One of the Safest Electric Vehicles?
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 continues to set new standards for electric vehicle safety in 2025, boasting a comprehensive suite of advanced features that position it among the segment’s best. This model stands out by offering a remarkable range of standard safety technologies, a thoughtfully engineered structure, and enhanced driver-assistance systems.
Cutting-Edge Safety Features
The 2025 Ioniq 5 comes equipped with an impressive set of safety features including:
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function for stress-free highway driving,
- Driver attention monitoring to help prevent fatigue-related accidents,
- Front and rear parking sensors for better maneuverability in tight spaces,
- Forward collision-avoidance assist and lane-keeping assist.
For 2025, Hyundai further improves safety with updated front parking sensors and expanded driver support technologies. The reinforced frame and multiple airbags also contribute to high scores in crash tests from agencies like the NHTSA, IIHS, and Euro NCAP.
Combination of Comfort and Confidence
Beyond electronics, the Ioniq 5’s well-balanced performance, rapid charging capability, and modern cabin tech (including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) promote a secure and enjoyable experience behind the wheel. While cargo space is modest compared to some rivals, the Ioniq 5 excels in passenger protection and occupant comfort.
Impressive Range Meets Advanced Protection
The robust battery platform gives the Ioniq 5 an impressive range, up to 318 miles, without sacrificing safety. This careful integration of power and protection ensures drivers can enjoy long journeys with peace of mind.
With its top-tier technology, strong structural integrity, and consistent recognition from global safety rating agencies, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 remains a benchmark for electric vehicle safety in 2025.
Which electric vehicles are considered the safest for 2025?
As electric vehicles continue to evolve, safety remains one of the biggest priorities for automakers in 2025. With stricter crash-test standards and more advanced driver-assistance systems than ever before, today’s EVs are designed not just to reduce emissions, but to protect drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at the highest level. So, which electric vehicles are raising the bar for safety in 2025?
Here are some of the EVs that stand out for putting safety front and center:
Hyundai Ioniq 6
Praised for its excellent crash-test performance, the Ioniq 6 pairs a rigid vehicle structure with an extensive list of standard safety features, including forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assistance, and highway driving assist.
Tesla Model Y
Continuing its strong safety reputation, the Model Y offers advanced active safety systems such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure prevention, backed by impressive real-world crash data.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
This electric crossover blends performance with peace of mind. Its safety highlights include adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a comprehensive driver-assist suite that performs well in independent testing.
Kia EV9
As a three-row electric SUV, the EV9 focuses heavily on family safety. Strong crashworthiness, advanced collision-avoidance technology, and driver-monitoring systems make it one of the safest larger EVs available in 2025.
Genesis Electrified GV70
Luxury and safety go hand in hand here. The Electrified GV70 features sophisticated driver-assistance technologies, excellent side-impact protection, and a highly reinforced cabin structure.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Still a leader in safety, the Ioniq 5 continues to earn high marks thanks to its smart collision-avoidance systems, pedestrian detection, and consistent crash-test results.
Beyond these models, several other electric vehicles from brands like Audi, Rivian, Subaru, and Volkswagen also deliver top-tier safety through a mix of strong structural engineering and intelligent digital assists.
From cutting-edge crash prevention to outstanding test results, the safest electric vehicles of 2025 show that choosing an EV doesn’t mean compromising on protection, it means embracing a future where safety and innovation go hand in hand.
What Standard Safety Features Come with the 2025 Tesla Model Y?
The 2025 Tesla Model Y arrives equipped with an extensive suite of advanced safety features designed to protect drivers and passengers alike. Some of the standout technologies you’ll find as standard include:
- Autopilot, which offers automated steering, acceleration, and braking on highways
- Lane-keeping assist to help prevent unintentional drifting
Front and rear parking sensors - Traffic sign recognition for improved situational awareness
- Advanced collision mitigation systems, such as automatic emergency braking and obstacle detection
These features combine with Tesla’s regularly updated safety software to ensure the Model Y remains at the forefront of in-cabin protection and crash prevention.
Prioritizing Safety When Buying a Car
Nexus Auto Transport is proud to educate our customer base on the safest vehicles in the US for 2025. The vehicles included above are known for their advanced technological imprints, top-of-the-line crash protection, and overall safety reputations.
Nexus is also proud to be among the safest and most trusted vehicle shipping companies in the United States. If you want to move your car across the country or just from state to state, a reliable auto transport service like Nexus adds an extra layer of protection for the safest vehicles in the world.
Get a free quote via our car shipping cost calculator or call (224) 276-8283 for around-the-clock assistance!
What Are the Safest Hybrid SUVs?
Hybrid SUVs have made impressive strides in safety, blending robust protection with fuel efficiency. Several standout models for 2025 and beyond combine advanced crash structures, reliable performance in NHTSA and IIHS evaluations, and the latest in active safety technologies.
Among the top-rated hybrid SUVs for safety:
- Honda CR-V Hybrid: Known for its consistent high marks in crash tests, the Honda CR-V Hybrid offers features like blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control as standard. Its suite of driver-assist systems has set the bar for families seeking peace of mind.
- Volvo XC90 Hybrid: Volvo’s reputation for safety is evident in the XC90 Hybrid, which boasts reinforced passenger compartments, advanced airbag systems, and a comprehensive set of driver aids, including lane-keeping assist and collision avoidance technology.
- Mazda CX-90 Hybrid: The Mazda CX-90 Hybrid stands out for its well-engineered platform, receiving strong scores in frontal and side crash tests. Its interior features extensive safety equipment, like smart brake support and traffic sign recognition, underscoring Mazda’s commitment to family safety.
Which hybrid sedans are ranked highest for safety?
Hybrid sedans have come a long way, blending impressive fuel efficiency with top-notch safety, and for the 2025 model year, several stand out from the pack.
- Honda Accord Hybrid: Continues its legacy of high safety scores, earning praise for robust crash protection and reliable advanced safety tech.
- Honda Civic Hybrid: Known for its solid structure and suite of driver-assistance features, this compact sedan is a go-to for safety-minded hybrid shoppers.
- Toyota Prius: A perennial favorite, the Prius secures high marks in both government and independent crash tests, while offering advanced active safety systems as standard.
Which Minivans Are Considered the Safest Options?
If you’re in the market for a family-friendly minivan and safety is at the top of your checklist, you’re in luck, today’s minivans pack advanced safety engineering alongside their signature practicality. Manufacturers have incorporated features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert into their most popular models, in addition to earning top marks in crash testing.
Among the standout options for 2025 and 2026:
- Toyota Sienna Hybrid: Known for its robust crash test results, impressive suite of driver-assistance systems, and strong structural integrity, the Sienna Hybrid remains a perennial favorite for families seeking maximum security on the road.
- Honda Odyssey: The Odyssey continues to excel with high safety ratings and a reputation for reliably protecting occupants, thanks to advanced airbag systems and comprehensive active safety tech.
How Extensive Is Vehicle Safety Testing Each Year?
Each year, hundreds of new vehicles are put through their paces by leading safety organizations like NHTSA and IIHS. These aren’t quick once-overs; testers evaluate each model using approximately 200 unique data points. These data points range from crash performance and advanced safety features to real-world factors like acceleration, handling, comfort, and cargo space.
The testing process is intentionally exhaustive, blending both instrumented assessments and real-world driving scenarios. The goal? To give a comprehensive picture of how vehicles perform in terms of protection, practicality, and overall driving experience. This rigorous examination ensures that safety ratings and recommendations are not just theoretical; they’re built on a robust foundation of hands-on analysis and real data, year after year.
