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 2024?
When it comes to electric vehicles (EVs), the emphasis on safety is as strong as ever. Automakers have pushed the boundaries with advanced driver-assistance systems and innovative crash protection, making modern EVs among the most dependable options on the road. So, which electric vehicles are setting the gold standard for safety in 2024?
Here are some of the EVs that have made safety a top priority:
Kia EV6
Known for its sophisticated suite of safety features, including standard lane-keeping assists and available surround-view camera systems, this model combines sharp dynamics with security.
Ford Mustang Mach-E: This EV blends sporty performance with practical safety, offering semi-autonomous driving features and comprehensive blind-spot monitoring.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Featuring robust crash test scores and a cabin loaded with smart safety tech—from highway driving assists to advanced collision avoidance—this Hyundai is as forward-thinking in protection as it is in design.
Tesla Model Y
Tesla’s well-known for integrating cutting-edge digital safety features, like automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning, along with strong crashworthiness.
Volkswagen ID.4
With impressive scores in multiple crash categories and standard driver-assist technologies, this VW is a compelling, family-friendly electric SUV.
Of course, several other EVs, such as offerings from BMW, Genesis, and Mazda, also prioritize driver and passenger protection with top-tier testing results and innovative digital assists.
Whether it’s thorough crash test performance or the latest in accident prevention, these electric vehicles prove you don’t need to compromise safety when switching to the future of driving.
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!
