There are two different companies that test out a car’s safety features and rank where it stands by performing crash tests (which have become more extreme over the last two years). That being said, only handful of cars have been chosen by IIHS and NHTSA to be the best in accident prevention and accident survival.
2018 Toyota Camry- $23,495 to $35,800
The Camry has been the best-selling car for over a decade, but the new design of the Camry will most likely send its sales up the roof. Every configuration of the 2018 Camry comes with a rear view camera, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beams, forward-collision, front automated emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a spare tire all as standard safety features. The 2018 Camry received 5 out of 5 stars on all of NHTSA’s crash tests including roll over, so you are more likely to survive a terrible crash in the latest Toyota model. The 2018 Toyota gives you the whole package for an extraordinary price and it is our personal favorite on this list. It is ranked as IIHS’s “Top Safety Pick+” because of all it has to offer.
2018 Honda Accord- $23,570
The new Honda Accord gets “Good” as its rating for all six of IIHS’s tests and receives 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA for ability to pass their crash testing. The Accord received a “Superior” rating on its front crash prevention and received IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2018. The new Accord is equipped with Honda Sensing that detects a driver’s drowsiness levels, includes a rear view camera, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, road departure mitigation, and collision mitigation braking as standard safety features. The 2018 Honda Accord rivals the 2018 Toyota Camry well.
2018 Nissan Maxima- $33,270
The Maxima received 5 out of 5 stars on all of NHTSA’s crash testing and gets a “Good” rating on all six of IIHS’s tests. The Maxima is another one of IIHS’s Top Safety Picks. Nissan implemented the Maxima with a rear view camera, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking as standard safety features, so it can’t quite compete with the Accord or Camry with the number of standard features, but what it does offer is more than enough to make driving a lot safer. The only downfall of the 2018 Maxima is that it is about $10,000 more than the Accord and Camry while giving less at standard.
2018 Chevy Volt- $33,220
The Chevy Volt got all 5 stars on NHTSA’s crash tests and nailed all IIHS’s evaluations, thus making it a Top Safety Pick. The Volt has less standard safety features with only, a rear view camera and Teen Driver assistance, but you can opt for a better model that come rear parking sensors, automatic parking assist, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, following distance indicator, adaptive cruise control, forward automatic braking, and adaptive cruise control. Again, this car is on our top 2 favorites because of its priced compared to the Camry and Accord.
2018 Kia Optima- $22,600
The 2018 Kia Optima received a “Good” in all of IIHS’s crash tests as well as receiving all 5 stars on the NHTSA’s tests, which resulted in the Optima getting a “Top Safety Pick+”. The new Optima comes with a rear view camera, rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. The 2018 Kia Optima can almost rival the 2018 Camry and Accord, and that is why it is our third favorite on this list. It’s price slightly edges out the Camry and Accord, but it lacks several other standard features that are worth the few extra hundred dollars.
2018 Subaru Impreza- $18,495
The Impreza earned 5 stars on the side and roll over tests but has not been rated for the NHTSA’s frontal crash test. The IIHS gave it straight “Goods” for its ratings, which rarely ever happens, thus making it a “Top Safety Pick+”. The Impreza comes standard with a rear view camera, but you can ask for rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and reverse automatic braking. Its price point is excellent, but since its standard only comes with a rear view camera, it is not high on our list of favorites.
2018 Subaru Legacy- $22,195
NHTSA game the 2018 Legacy 5 out of 5 stars on all crash tests and received only “Good” or “Superior” on the IIHS’s test, which make is a “Top Safety Pick+”. However, the only standard safety feature on the 2018 Legacy is a rearview camera and you would have to pay more for Subaru’s EyeSight system that comes with adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and pre-collision braking (but you must be at less than 30 miles per hour). This is a great vehicle in terms of safety, but with cars such as the Camry and Accord that are around the same price point, the 2018 Subaru Legacy does not standout.
All of these cars are great choices if you are looking to avoid car accidents or want the added insurance that if you do get into one, you will be safe. As a bonus, we want to rank these seven cars into our favorites based on design, standard features, and popularity.
7. 2018 Subaru Legacy
6. 2018 Chevy Volt
5. 2018 Subaru Impreza
4. 2018 Nissan Maxima
3. 2018 Kia Optima
2. 2018 Honda Accord
1. 2018 Toyota Camry
