Top 5 safest cars in 2026 and their prices: Full rankings

The ranking combines crash-test results with real-world driver death rates, producing a comprehensive safety score.

While dozens of vehicles earn top crash-test ratings each year, only a select few stand out when real-world safety data is taken into account.

To make the final top five, vehicles also had to score "Good" in every crash-test category, weigh at least 4,300 pounds, achieve a manufacturer safety grade of B or higher, and meet the IIHS's tougher 2025 testing standards, which introduced a rear-seat passenger dummy in frontal crash tests.