What Car Brands & Models Were the Safest in 2023?


Choosing a vehicle is an important decision, especially when considering safety features. To guide potential car buyers in their decision-making processes, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety issues a list of the safest car brands and models based on extensive testing.

The Top Safety Pick+ Winners of 2023

Top Safety Pick+ awards represent the highest standards for vehicle safety set by the IIHS. These vehicles have received a Good rating in the driver’s- and passenger-side small-overlap front crash test and a moderate-overlap front crash test. Additionally, these vehicles must have scored as Good in a side crash test, and an Acceptable or Good rating for headlights. The IIHS must have also rated the vehicle as Advanced or Superior for daytime and nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention.

Below are the Top Safety Pick+ winners for 2023:

  • Small Cars: Acura Integra; Subaru Impreza; Toyota Prius; Toyota Prius Prime
  • Midsized Cars: Honda Accord; Hyundai Ioniq 6; Subaru Outback; and Toyota Camry (built after January 2023)
  • Midsized Luxury Cars: Genesis G80; Genesis G80 Electrified; and Mercedes-Benz C-Class (with optional front crash prevention)
  • Large Luxury Car: Genesis G90
  • Small SUVs: Honda CR-V; Honda HR-V; Hyundai Ioniq 5; and Subaru Solterra (built after October 2022)
  • Small Luxury SUVs: Acura RDX; BMW X1; Genesis GV60; Genesis GV70 and GV70 Electrified; Lexus NX and NX Plug-in Hybrid; Lexus RZ; and Lexus UX
  • Midsized SUVs: Genesis GV80; Honda Pilot; Hyundai Palisade; Jeep Grand Cherokee; Jeep Grand Cherokee L; Kia Telluride; Mazda CX-90 and CX-90 PHEV; Nissan Pathfinder; Subaru Ascent; Toyota Highlander; Volkswagen Atlas (2024); Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport (2024); and Volkswagen ID.4
  • Midsized Luxury SUVs: Acura MDX; Audi Q7 (built after January 2023); Audi Q4 E-Tron and Q4 Sportback; Infiniti QX60; Lexus RX; Tesla Model Y; and Volvo XC90 and XC90 Recharge
  • Large SUVs: Audi Q8, Q8 E-Tron, and Q8 Sportback, and Rivian R1S
  • Minivans: Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna
  • Large Pickups: Rivian R1T and Toyota Tundra crew cab and extended cab

The Top Safety Pick Winners of 2023

The Top Safety Pick award also demonstrates a high standard of safety.  These vehicles must receive Good ratings in the driver’s- and passenger-side small-overlap front crash test and a moderate-overlap front crash test. They must also earn Acceptable or Good ratings in a side crash test and headlights, and Advanced or Superior ratings for daytime vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention.

Below are the IIHS’s winners for 2023:

  • Small Cars: Honda Civic sedan and hatchback (except the Type R performance variant); Mazda3 sedan and hatchback; and Toyota Corolla sedan and hatchback
  • Midsized Cars: Hyundai Sonata (built after December 2022) and Subaru Legacy
  • Midsized Luxury Cars: Lexus ES 350
  • Small SUVs: Mazda CX-30; Mazda CX-5; Mazda CX-50; Mitsubishi Outlander (2024); Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (built after May 2023); Nissan Rogue; Subaru Crosstrek; Subaru Forester; Toyota Corolla Cross; Toyota RAV4 and RAV4 Prime; and Toyota Venza
  • Midsized SUVs: Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-9
  • Midsized Luxury SUVs: Audi Q5 and Q5 Sportback; Lincoln Nautilus; Volvo XC60; and Volvo XC60 Recharge

Accidents Can Still Occur Despite a Car’s Safety Rating

While these ratings are a testament to a vehicle’s protective capabilities, even the safest cars can be involved in collisions. If you’re in Cincinnati and have been involved in a car accident, it’s important to discuss your case with an attorney right away. A Cincinnati car accident lawyer can provide the necessary guidance and support to navigate the legal aspects of your situation, helping you find the best way forward after a road accident.