Safest Car Brands in 2024: Which Companies Lead in Safety

Are you wondering which car brands are synonymous with safety in 2024? This article ranks the safest car brands based on the latest data from trusted safety assessments. You’ll find clear, direct insights into the vehicles that excel in keeping drivers and passengers secure, without the frills or fluff.

 

Automatic Emergency Braking – Is It a Safety Sign?

• Advanced safety features and rigorous testing by IIHS and NHTSA are critical in determining the safest car brands, with automatic emergency braking and headlight performance being significant factors for top safety designations.
• Manufacturers focus on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to innovate in safety, introducing functionalities such as evasive steering assist, drowsiness detection, and V2V communication systems for reducing accidents and enhancing road safety.
• There is a strong correlation between safety and reliability in vehicles, with leading brands showing high safety scores and robust reliability ratings from J.D. Power surveys, highlighting the comprehensive commitment to producing quality, dependable, and secure cars.

 

Evaluating Safety: Crash Tests and Safety Features

Navigating the world of car safety can feel like a complex puzzle, but organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have simplified it for us. They have established rigorous criteria to evaluate vehicle safety, focusing not just on crash tests, but also on headlight performance and advanced safety features.

To earn the coveted IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ designation, a vehicle must prove its mettle in a variety of stringent tests. These include small and moderate overlap front tests, side tests, and even a test for acceptable or good headlight performance. However, achieving top safety scores is not just about passing these tests.

In the pursuit of the safest cars, advanced features have become indispensable. For instance, effective automatic emergency braking systems, especially those that function well at night, have become crucial for achieving the highest safety rankings from the IIHS. This focus on safety systems has led to a renaissance in car safety, with manufacturers vying for the safest car brand title.

 

Leaders in Safety: The Car Brands Setting Standards

The battle for safety supremacy is not new. Since 2006, the IIHS has been awarding the safest vehicles in their size categories with the IIHS Top Safety Pick awards. In 2013, to acknowledge superior safety choices, they added the Top Safety Pick+ category. In the 2024 evaluations, heavier and larger vehicles generally provided more protection than smaller ones, which influenced their chances of obtaining the Top Safety Pick awards.

Out of the various models evaluated, only 22 vehicles earned the prestigious Top Safety Pick+ award, with an additional 49 vehicles attaining the Top Safety Pick status. Standing tall among the winners were:

• Hyundai
• Kia
• Genesis
• Toyota
• Lexus
• Mazda

Each showcasing their commitment to passenger safety.

The dynamic additions to the Top Safety Pick+ list during the year reflect the manufacturers’ continuous efforts to enhance automotive safety and set new standards. This relentless pursuit of safety is not just about accolades, but about assuring car buyers of the safety of the automaker’s vehicles.

 

Spotlight on Safety Systems: Innovations That Save Lives

As we delve deeper into the world of car safety, we come across Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). These encompass a variety of features, including evasive steering assist, sensors that detect driver drowsiness, and pedestrian detection systems, to enhance driving safety.

Auto Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS) are key in this arsenal of features. They play a significant role in preventing rear-end collisions and now incorporate pedestrian detection to respond in both daylight and dark conditions.

But ADAS doesn’t stop there. Lane Keeping Assist technology now actively corrects a vehicle’s course to maintain its lane position. Drowsiness Detection Systems have evolved to monitor driving patterns and facial movements to identify signs of fatigue. These innovations show the lengths to which car brands are going to ensure their vehicles are among the safest cars on the market today.

Moreover, Traffic Sign Recognition assists with maintaining driver awareness of road signs, and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication systems like Left Turn Assist and Intersection Movement Assist are being developed to improve overall traffic safety.

These safety systems, along with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross traffic alert, and reverse collision warning forward, are setting a new standard for highway safety, bringing us closer to the dream of accident-free roads.

 

The Safest Cars for Families: Which Brands Lead the Way?

When it comes to family transportation, safety becomes paramount. Vehicles like the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid have proven their suitability as family vehicles, earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation thanks to their Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and crash prevention technology.

Family vehicles like minivans and SUVs must also prioritize specialized safety features focusing on child occupant protection. These advanced features are a testament to the commitment of car brands to safety, making them the go-to choice for families looking for the safest cars.

As a result, car buyers now have a plethora of options when choosing a safe family vehicle. With safety systems improving every year, the promise of a safe journey for every family member is becoming a reality.

 

Electric Power Meets Safety: The Safest All-Electric Models

In the realm of all-electric vehicles, safety remains a top priority. Models like the 2023 Kia EV6 and Volvo’s C40 Recharge are leading the way, achieving top safety scores of 10.0/10. The Kia EV6 also received the accolade of Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS, reinforcing its stature among the safest new cars.

The 2024 Genesis G80 Electric not only boasts a top safety score but also earned the Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, with the Genesis GV60 receiving a perfect 10/10 safety score. Additional all-electric models like the 2023 Rivian R1T and the Audi e-tron have also scored remarkably high on safety, attaining scores of 10.0/10 and 9.6/10 respectively.

These high safety scores are supplemented by advanced driver-assistance features. Some examples include:

• The Volvo C40 Recharge’s rear parking sensors
• The Genesis GV60’s extensive standard driver-assistance offerings
• The Audi e-tron and Volkswagen ID.4’s blind-spot monitoring and stop-and-go adaptive cruise control

With such comprehensive safety features, Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 are solidifying their presence in the safe all-electric SUV category.

 

Luxury Meets Security: Top Safe Picks Among Luxury Cars

The world of luxury cars is no stranger to safety. Some luxury car brands that are setting a new standard for safety include:

• Volvo V90, which received the Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS
• Genesis, which has multiple models that earned top-notch safety scores
• Volvo, which also has multiple models that earned top-notch safety scores

These luxury car brands are combining safety with the luxury that discerning car buyers demand.

BMW models feature advanced safety systems that contribute to their high safety ratings, including tests for crash, side-impact, and roof strength. The BMW 5 Series, Genesis GV70, Lexus RC, and Infiniti QX60 are all recognized for their comprehensive features and strong performance in tests, marking them as top choices for luxury family cars.

 

Standard features present in models like the Lexus RC include:

• A comprehensive suite of technologies
• Advanced driver assistance systems
• Collision avoidance systems
• Lane departure warning
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rearview camera

These advancements demonstrate the commitment of luxury car brands to provide not just comfort and opulence, but also peace of mind when it comes to safety.

 

The Intersection of Safety and Reliability

Safety and reliability often go hand in hand. After all, what good is a safe car if it’s not reliable? J.D. Power surveys measure automakers’ reliability based on problems per 100 vehicles reported by the original owners. Toyota leads in reliability with a score of 147 PP100, followed closely by Buick at 149 PP100.

Chevrolet and Mini exhibited strong reliability with scores of 174 PP100 each, while Mazda and Kia showcased their commitment to quality with reliability scores of 185 PP100 and 187 PP100, respectively.

Honda, Porsche, BMW, and Dodge demonstrate the industry average in dependability, each with a score around 190 PP100. Even Jeep aligns with the industry average for reliability, also achieving a score of 190 PP100.

This correlation between high safety scores and strong reliability ratings suggests that car brands prioritizing quality in production often yield safer vehicles. After all, a high priority for car buyers is the balance between the safety and reliability of a vehicle.

 

Small Cars, Big Protection: Safest Compact Vehicles

When it comes to compact cars, safety is often a concern due to their smaller size. However, the IIHS has introduced more stringent tests, including a new side crash test simulating a high-speed impact with larger vehicles, to ensure these cars are just as safe. Manufacturers are stepping up to meet these challenging new safety tests, upgrading their compact vehicle designs accordingly.

The Hyundai Ioniq is a top contender in the compact car category with its superior safety score and comprehensive standard safety features that are family-friendly. The 2023 Nissan Leaf also stands out, achieving a safety score of 9.0/10 and being recognized for its robust acceleration and nimble handling, despite its smaller stature. IIHS ratings are a valuable resource for consumers to evaluate features and performance in areas like crashworthiness and crash avoidance in compact cars.

 

The efforts of car brands to prioritize safety in compact vehicles are truly commendable, proving that small cars can indeed offer big protection.

 

Pickup Trucks: Combining Utility with Safety

Pick-up trucks are known for their utility, but they’re also making strides in safety. The 2024 Ford F-150 and 2024 Tundra both integrate modern technology and emphasize safety in their designs. Some of the features you can expect to find in these trucks include:

• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Blind spot monitoring
• Lane departure warning
• Adaptive cruise control

These advancements in full-size pickup trucks are a testament to the commitment of manufacturers to prioritize safety.

 

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, a compact pickup truck engineered for urban environments, features safety measures suited to small-scale utility and city driving. Advanced powertrains, like the turbocharged engines in the Ford F-150 and the twin-turbo V-6 in the Tundra, play a significant role in enhancing the safety profile of these pickup trucks.

 

These advances illustrate the efforts of manufacturers to combine utility with safety in pickup trucks. It’s heartening to see that manufacturers are not just focused on the utility aspect of trucks, but are also prioritizing the safety of their drivers and passengers.

 

The Future of Car Safety: What’s Next for Automakers?

As we journey towards the future, the landscape of car safety continues to evolve. The IIHS has introduced new criteria in 2024 for vehicles to earn Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ designations that emphasize the importance of protecting rear-seat passengers and pedestrians.

To achieve the Top Safety Pick+ designation, vehicles must now earn at least an Acceptable or Good rating in the new front overlap crash test, which assesses the protection of rear-seat occupants as well as front-seat occupants. This is a significant step forward, indicating the commitment of the IIHS to ensure the safety of all vehicle occupants, not just those in the front seats.

The IIHS plans to regularly revise its list of safety award winners, motivating automakers to advance their vehicles’ performances in line with the new safety tests. This proactive approach is a testament to the continuous efforts of automakers to improve vehicle safety performance, assuring consumers that the future of car safety is in good hands.

 

Summary – Which Brand is The Safest Car Brand?

In conclusion, the journey to safer cars is an ongoing one, with car brands pushing the boundaries of technology and design to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers alike. Whether it’s compact cars, luxury vehicles, family cars, or electric models, safety is at the forefront. As automakers continue to innovate and meet the demanding safety standards of bodies like IIHS and NHTSA, we can look forward to a future where every journey is a safe one.

The article delves into the safest cars, highlighting those manufacturers that consistently excel in providing superior features and achieving high scores in crash test. Key factors that contribute to a car’s safety rating include advanced technologies such as pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Brands that often receive accolades like the IIHS Top Safety Pick are emphasized, showcasing their dedication to producing secure vehicles across their entire lineup.

When considering a new vehicle, it’s crucial to review the car’s safety credentials to ensure protection for all occupants. The availability of features like pedestrian and cyclist detection can significantly reduce the risk of accidents, while rear cross traffic alert and rear parking sensors add an extra layer of safety during reversing and parking maneuvers.

To complement the article, it’s recommended to use Vehicle History Reports from autoDNA. These reports provide comprehensive details on whether a used car has been involved in any accidents or collisions in the past. By reviewing such information, buyers can better assess if a used car remains a safe option.

Overall, investing in a car from one of the safest brands, equipped with modern safety technologies, ensures better protection. With more cars incorporating these advanced features, buyers have a wider selection of secure vehicles to choose from.

In summary, the combination of choosing a vehicle from a renowned safe car brand and utilizing resources like autoDNA reports can significantly enhance the security and peace of mind for car owners.