Safest Vehicles

SafeDad Picks the Safest 3-ROW Minivans and SUVs Plus Budget Used and New Car Choices for Teen Drivers and Small Families for 2019-2020

Safest Used Vehicles around $10K or Less:
  1. 2013-2017 Volvo S60.  IIHS Top Safety Pick+.  NHTSA 5-star ratings in every test.  Standard City Safety package and optional Technology Package with improved automatic emergency braking.
  2. 2013-2014 Honda Accord Sedan.  IIHS Top Safety Pick+ including Good small overlap passenger-side test.  NHTSA 5-star rating.
  3. 2013-2014 Honda Accord Coupe.  IIHS Top Safety Pick+. NHTSA 5-star ratings in every test.
  4. 2014-2016 Mazda CX-5. IIHS Top Safety Pick+.  NHTSA 5-star rating.  Optional Smart City Brake Support.
  5. 2014-2015 Mazda 6.  IIHS Top Safety Pick+.  NHTSA 5-star rating. Optional Smart City Brake Support.
  6. 2013-2015 Volkswagen Passat.  IIHS Top Safety Pick+.  NHTSA 5-star rating
  7. 2013-2014 Subaru Legacy.  IIHS Top Safety Pick+.  NHTSA 5-star rating.  Look for the IIHS top-rated EyeSight crash avoidance system with automatic emergency braking.
  8. 2012 Volvo S60.  IIHS Top Safety Pick.  NHTSA 5-star ratings in every test.
  9. 2011+ Honda Odyssey.  IIHS Top Safety Pick.  NHTSA 5-star rating.  Very safe choice if you can find one around $10K.
  10. 2013 Ford Taurus.  IIHS Top Safety Pick.  NHTSA 5-star rating
  11. 2012-2014 Dodge Charger.  IIHS Top Safety Pick.  NHTSA 5-star rating
  12. 2015-2018 Volkswagen Jetta.  IIHS Top Safety Pick.  NHTSA 5-star rating
  13. 2013 Ford Fusion.  IIHS Top Safety Pick+.  NHTSA 5-star rating
  14. 2011+ Kia Optima.  IIHS Top Safety Pick.  NHTSA 5-star rating. A top value choice.
  15. 2013-2015 Ford Focus.  IIHS Top Safety Pick.  NHTSA 5-star rating.  Many models equipped with hands-free bluetooth. A top value choice
  16. 2012-2015 Hyundai Elantra*.  IIHS Top Safety Pick.  NHTSA 5-star rating.  A top value choice. (*2012 “Later Release” models earn 5-stars overall from NHTSA)
  17. 2007+ Volvo XC90*.  IIHS Top Safety Pick with a “Good” small offset crash result and NHTSA 5-star ratings (*previous crash testing system) starting in 2007.  Standard stability control and side curtain airbags as far back as 2007 also.
  18. 2007+ Volvo S80*.  An excellent performer in all crash tests.  Also widest for 3 kids/carseats in back. (*No NHTSA results)
Safest Budget New Car Picks
  • 2019+ Honda Insight.  IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and NHTSA 5-Star overall rating and 5-stars in every NHTSA evaluation STANDARD on ALL trim levels!  Starts around $24K, street prices around $22K.
  • 2018+ Toyota Camry.  IIHS Top Safety Pick and NHTSA 5-Star overall rating and 5-stars in every NHTSA evaluation STANDARD on ALL trim levels!  Starts around $24K MSRP, street prices around $22K with incentives.
  • 2019+ Subaru Forester.  IIHS Top Safety Pick and NHTSA 5-Star overall rating and 5-stars in every NHTSA crash test STANDARD on ALL trim levels!  Starts just over $24K MSRP.
Safest New Minivans & 3-row SUVs
  1. 2018-2019 Honda Odyssey
  2. 2019 Subaru Ascent
  3. 2019 Honda Pilot
  4. 2017-2019 Toyota Highlander
  5. 2014-2019 Acura MDX
  6. 2017-2019 Chrysler Pacifica
  7. 2017-2019 Kia Sedona
  8. 2018-2019 Kia Sorento
  9. 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe
  10. 2019 Nissan Pathfinder
  11. 2019 Maxda CX-9

Many models just missed my picks due to very slightly lower crash test results or missing crash test results.  The objective standards I used are very high to be able to select up to ten of the very safest vehicles, even though many other vehicles are almost as safe overall.

Many manufacturers still force consumers to buy the most expensive trim level(s) if they want a full set of advanced safety features, sometimes also requiring a pricey technology package on top of the high price of the premium model.  What good is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating if you can’t afford it or can’t find it on a dealer’s lot?

Kudos to Honda, Toyota and Subaru for setting the trend to keep families safe at a reasonable price, even on lower and mid-level trims.  Toyota now offers Safety Sense advanced crash prevention systems standard on most 2017 and newer models!  Combine that with solid designs that perform well in crash tests and it’s no mystery why these makes did so well in my 2019 picks for the safest used cars and budged new cars and my safest picks for 3-row SUVs/minivans.  Please click these links for more information on how these vehicles were selected.