The 15 Safest Cars for 2021

What do you prioritize when choosing a new vehicle? Do you search for a specific color, model, or feature? Or, are you more concerned about the vehicle’s price than other factors?

For many people, safety is the top factor in choosing a vehicle. That is not surprising given that there were over 6.75 million traffic accidents in the United States during 2019. These accidents resulted in over 2.74 million injuries and 36,096 traffic fatalities. 

Most traffic accidents are caused by driver error and negligence. The only way to protect yourself and your family is to choose a vehicle that has a high safety rating by a reputable organization.

How Do You Rate Car Safety?

There are several ways to determine a car’s safety rating.

Government Crash Tests

The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) conducts crash tests each year as part of its 5-Star Safety Ratings program. A list of the vehicles selected for testing in 2021 can be found on its website. 

Some of the tests performed by the NHTSA as part of its safety ratings program include:

  • Frontal Crash Test Scenario tests a car’s crashworthiness in a head-on collision with another vehicle or a fixed barrier. The test evaluates the injury to a person’s neck, head, chest, and leg.
  • Side Barrier Crash Test Scenario tests for crash safety in a T-bone or side-impact accident, such as an intersection collision. It tests for injuries to the pelvis, head, abdomen, and chest.
  • Side Pole Crash Test Scenario tests for safety in a crash with a fixed object on the side of the vehicle. The test evaluates injuries to the lower spine, head, pelvis, chest, and abdomen.
  • Rollover Resistance Test Scenario is essential for vehicles that could have a higher risk of rollover accidents, such as SUVs and trucks. It tests the static stability factor to determine how top-heavy a vehicle is and driving maneuvers that might cause the vehicle to tip.

More information about the tests can be found on the NHTSA website. The NHTSA also provides information about recommended driver assistance technologies. Vehicles with these safety features can reduce the risk of traffic accidents in some situations. 

Examples of driver assistance technologies include:

  • Forward Collision Warning
  • Rearview Video System
  • Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Rear Cross Traffic Alert
  • Adaptive Lighting
  • Rear Automatic Braking
  • Adaptive Cruise Control

Other safety features include curtain airbags and side airbags, in addition to the traditional front airbags and seatbelts.

Crash and Fatality Statistics

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tracks crash and fatality statistics using vehicles’ make and model. The crash statistics may reveal information that can’t be discovered through crash tests in a controlled setting.

What Are the Top 15 Safest Vehicles for 2021?

You can search for a vehicle on the IIHS and NHTSA databases to view information about crash tests and safety ratings. These databases are free online tools.

Numerous companies, news outlets, and other groups analyze safety data each year to compile a list of the vehicles with the highest safety ratings. The lists may be slightly different depending upon the source. The IIHS 2021 Top Safety Picks awarded more than 15 vehicles with its Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2021.

US News is another outlet that compiled a list of the Top 15 Safest Cars for 2021, which included:

1.  2020 Toyota Camry

2.  2020 Honda Insight

3.  2020 Kia Optima

4.  2020 Subaru Impreza

5.  2020 Honda Accord

6.  2020 Mazda3

7.  2020 Hyundai Veloster

8.  2020 Mazda6

9.  2020 Nissan Maxima

10. 2020 Toyota Corolla

11.  2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid

12. 2020 Subaru Legacy

13. 2020 Volkswagen Passat

14.  2019 Kia Cadenza

15.  2020 Honda Civic

The list does not include SUVs. You may also want to review lists of the top safety picks for 2021 vehicles by Car & Driver and other sources. Careful research will help you choose the safest vehicle for your family.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Philadelphia?

If you are in a car crash in Philadelphia, call 911 to report the collision and request emergency assistance. Do not discuss the accident with anyone other than the police and your lawyer. If possible, take pictures of the accident scene and make a video using your cell phone. It is also helpful to ask witnesses for their names and telephone numbers. 

See a medical provider as soon as possible to document your injuries. Delays in medical treatment can hurt your chance of receiving full compensation for your injuries and damages.

Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Philadelphia Today To Get Help With Your Case

To learn more and get the help you deserve, call Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers at (215) 875-7030 or contact us online.
You can also visit our law firm at 123 S Broad St #1220, Philadelphia, PA 19109.