5 Cars With the Top Safety Ratings for 2019
When shopping for a new car, buyers are likely to consider factors such as price, gas mileage and interior features like dashboard GPS and stereo systems. But safety rating is just as important. If you and your loved ones’ lives depend on a car holding up in the event of a crash, wouldn’t you want to know the one most likely to keep them safe?
There are a number of factors to consider, including the size and type of car you’re considering. Emerging technology is also aiming to make driving safer by buffering driver error — retinal scanners to detect driver fatigue, frontal sensors to detect how far away the car ahead is, backup cameras and structural redesigns are all intended to help keep drivers and passengers safe.
No two crashes are the same, and the outcome varies based on the vehicle and type of crash. However, statistically, SUVs had the lowest number of deaths per registered vehicle in both single-vehicle and multiple-vehicle crashes, according to an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety analysis of 2016 data. Pickup trucks had the highest number of deaths per registered vehicle in single-vehicle crashes and cars had the highest number of deaths in multiple-vehicle accidents, according to the IIHS.
With those factors in mind, here are five current vehicles with high safety ratings from multiple sources.
1. 2019 Honda Fit
Honda’s Fit has come a long way since it was first introduced in the U.S. in 2007 — it’s picked up a sleeker look and a lot of extra safety features. Some things haven’t changed, though; it’s still one of Honda’s most fuel-efficient sedans and comes with a hatchback trunk. Retailing for between $17,000 and $22,000, it’s also very accessible for consumers at a lower price point.
For the price, it’s also one of the highest-rated vehicles of its size for 2019 among both experts and consumers. Kelly Blue Book experts and consumers rated it 4.6 out of 5, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the vehicle its highest marks in all categories except for headlights and the latch easiness of use. The 2019 Fit features front crash prevention with an optional collision mitigation braking system and autobrakes.
Though the vehicle hasn’t had any recalls yet, there have been manufacturer communications about possible issues related to the rear hatch latches, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
2. 2019 Chevrolet Impala
This mid-size sedan is the latest in a long line of successful Impala models for Chevy. The Impala in fact dates back all the way to 1958, when Chevy first released a car under the name. Back then, it was a long sports coupe; today, it’s a practical commuter that boasts high safety ratings and efficient gas mileage.
Both consumers and experts from Kelly Blue Book gave the 2019 Impala high ratings, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety notes that the crash tests indicate a low risk for serious occupant injury in the event of a crash. The car features frontal crash collision technology with optional collision mitigation braking, and the autobrakes performed at 25 miles per hour.
There has been one recall on the vehicle, affecting up to 210,628 units. The recall concerned insufficient coating on the rear brake caliper pistons, possibly increasing the risk of a braking crash. The recall began Oct. 11, 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
3. 2019 Kia Rio
For the second year in a row, Kia has improved on its 4-door sedan model for the Rio. Then Rio documented some of the highest death ratings in crashes in 2012-13, according to the IIHS. The company obviously took some of those ratings to heart and put some work into beefing up the safety in the Rio by the 2018 model and continued those improvements in 2019.
The NHTSA has not yet rated the Kia Rio’s 2019 model, but the car earned a Top Safety Rating award from the IIHS, the second-highest safety rating the organization confers. The car passes the small-front overlap test on both the driver and passenger sides and features autobrakes and forward collision warning. The car passed both the low-speed and mid-speed crash tests, avoiding the crash both times, according to the IIHS. Kelley Blue Book expert ratings give the car an 8.6 out of 10, noting that it’s both safer and set a lower price point than other cars with similar features.
4. 2019 Kia Sorento
A larger crossover SUV that premiered in 2002, the Sorento has been an increasingly popular model in the U.S. as SUVs climb in the vehicle sales market. Its safety ratings are near the top among multiple sources, including five stars from the NHTSA, a Top Safety Pick + from the IIHS, and a 4.1 out of 5 from experts on Kelley Blue Book. The NHTSA registers no recalls on the 2019 model so far.
The safety features include autobraking and front collision warning, passing both the low-speed and mid-speed tests from the IIHS. Its headlights are curve-adaptive and automatically switch between high- and low-beams. It also features lane departure warning, crash imminent braking and dynamic brake support, according to the NHTSA. The IIHS notes that there is a low risk for serious occupant injury in the event of a crash in the 2019 Sorento.
5. 2019 Toyota Sienna
Minivans are a staple for families with multiple children. One new model of minivan with a high safety rating in the 2019 Toyota Sienna, continuing its reputation of safety and quality from previous models. The Sienna premiered in the U.S. in 1998 and has consistently earned high crash safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The 2019 model imports some of the safety features common among other cars, including frontal collision warning, lane departure warning, crash imminent braking and dynamic brake support, according to the NHTSA. The IIHS notes that risk of serious occupant injury is fairly low in the event of a crash in the 2019 Sienna. Kelly Blue Book experts gave the vehicle a rating of 4.4 out of 5, with a suggested retail of between $32,000 and $50,000. The NHTSA has noted no recalls on the 2019 Sienna.
