Car driving is one of the most dangerous things and kills a huge number of people everyday. A total of 4,12,432 road accidents were reported in India during 2021, leading to 1,53,972 fatalities. Looking at the number, it is very important to consider a brand which produces safe cars, while buying a car for yourself. Presenting to you the safest car brands in India and globally, according to the NCAP (New Car Assessment Programs), NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) ratings. The assessment also features the ratings by HotCars, which is out of 10. Let us dive further into the brands to look out for.
List of Safest Car Brands
1. Ford
Ford receives an 8.92/10 safety rating for 2024, with 25 models earning NHTSA 5-star ratings, making it to the top 10 safest car brands list. Notable safety features include forward collision warning and lane-keep assist. The 2023-24 Ford Explorer is a Top Safety Pick, while the Mustang Mach-E stands out among electric SUVs. The Ford Escape offers safety for non-electric SUV enthusiasts. The pros include a diverse model lineup and strong performance, but disadvantages can include cabin material quality and fuel economy concerns.
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2. Nissan
Nissan scored an impressive 9.27/10 rating for safety in 2024, with 12 models receiving 5-star NHTSA ratings and 2 models (Ariya and Pathfinder) earning IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards. Notable safety features across Nissan's lineup include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. While boasting a wide range of affordable and efficient models, Nissan's strengths include reliability and impressive safety ratings, though it lags behind in cabin quality and resale value compared to some rivals. This makes it one of the safest car brands in India.
3. Mazda
The 2024 Mazda 3 Hatchback and CX-30 are among the significant models that earn an impressive safety rating from the IIHS, while the overall brand received a 9.33/10. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring are two examples of the advanced safety features. Iconic cars like the RX-7 demonstrate Mazda's historical emphasis on performance, which stands in contrast to the brand's reputation for safety. While the attractive design and thrilling ride are major pluses, the few available engines and rapid depreciation are disadvantages that the car brand brings to the table. Mazda is known for its presence as one of the safest car brands in the world.
4. Hyundai
Hyundai achieved an outstanding 9.43/10 safety rating for 2024 making it the among safest car brands in India , and five of its models—the Elantra, Ioniq 5, Tucson, Ioniq 6, and Palisade—were awarded IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designations. Among the standout safety features offered by Hyundai are blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, automated emergency braking, front collision warning, and driver attention monitoring. Hyundai's strengths include its robust warranty coverage and plenty of safety features, despite the fact that it offers a large selection of fairly priced models with modern designs and efficient engines.
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5. Volkswagen
Volkswagen gets a 9.47/10 rating for safety in 2024. The Atlas and ID.4 are two of their top IIHS Top Safety Pick+ models. It talks about advanced safety features like blind-spot tracking and forward collision warning. Volkswagen cares about safety because it started out as a "people's car," so it has crumple zones and many airbags. The advantages are advanced technology and a large selection of models. The cons are high upkeep costs and problems with dependability, which were made worse by the "Dieselgate" scandal. Nonetheless the car manufacturer still stands in the top 10 safest car brands list.
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6. BMW
BMW entered the list of safest car brands in India, receiving a remarkable 9.56/10 safety rating in 2024, with four vehicles achieving 5-star NHTSA ratings and three cars (5 Series, X1, and X3) receiving IIHS Top Safety Pick+ recognition. BMW's range includes notable safety technologies such as forward collision warning, automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and pedestrian recognition. While BMW offers a wide choice of high-performance vehicles with exquisite designs and innovative infotainment systems, its strengths include balanced driving dynamics and outstanding safety ratings, despite the fact that its vehicles are expensive to purchase and maintain.
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7. Subaru
For 2024, Subaru's safety rating is 9.63 out of 10, with vehicles such the Outback and Impreza receiving top marks from IIHS as Top Safety Pick+. Two notable safety features are pedestrian detection and blind-spot monitoring. Thanks to its groundbreaking EyeSight driver assist technology, Subaru maintains its well-deserved reputation of one of the safest car brands across the world, which is based on its rallying successes. The basic all-wheel drive and outstanding off-road capabilities are the pros, but the noise problems and lack of luxury options are the drawbacks.
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8. Volvo
Volvo earned an impressive 9.67/10 safety rating for 2024, with 8 models receiving 5-star NHTSA ratings and 4 models (XC90, XC90 Recharge, XC60, XC60 Recharge) earning IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ awards. Notable safety features include blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning with pedestrian/cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, and Pilot Assist. While offering advanced technology and unique designs, Volvo's core strength lies in its longstanding commitment to safety innovation, though its vehicles come at a relatively high price point with elevated ownership costs. Volvo XC90 can easily stand as the best safest car in India.
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9. Acura
With the Integra and MDX among its top IIHS Top Safety Pick+ vehicles, Acura receives an impeccable 10/10 safety rating for 2024. Road-departure mitigation and stop-and-go adaptive cruise control are two noteworthy safety features. Acura's selection of active and passive safety systems demonstrates their dedication to safety. Advantages include high-end inside materials and cutting-edge technology; disadvantages include a small number of models and comparable car designs. No doubt it is the brand to go for if you are looking for the safest car brands.
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10. Genesis
Ten out of ten safety ratings were bestowed upon Genesis in 2024, with four models garnering five stars from the NHTSA and an impressive seven models (G80, Electrified G80, G90, GV60, GV70, Electrified GV70, GV80) gaining IIHS Top Safety Pick+ accolades. Among the most important safety features are monitoring for blind spots, assistance with maintaining lane integrity, automatic emergency braking, front collision warning, and driver attention monitoring. Despite having a small model range and low resale prices, Genesis' strength is in its innovative driver aid technology and class-leading safety ratings. The brand also offers attractive designs, luxurious interiors, and substantial warranties.
Conclusion
Given the ratings, the above listed brands are some of the most trusted when it comes to car safety designs. The advancements in technology, safety standards and the increased competition has pushed the boundaries of each of these car manufacturers. For blogs about cars such as the safest 5 seater cars in India, stay tuned with Park+.
