10 Safest Cars You Can Buy This Year

In 2025, safety is paramount when choosing a vehicle. With advancements in technology and stricter crash-test standards, some cars stand out as leaders in occupant protection. Whether you’re prioritizing family safety, teen drivers, or simply peace of mind on the road, the following models have earned top honors from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). From robust SUVs to reliable sedans, these vehicles combine cutting-edge safety features with real-world crash performance, ensuring you’re well-protected behind the wheel.

Subaru Outback

Okay, so first one that pops into my head, it’s gotta be the Subaru Outback. I mean, it’s basically a legend for safety, right? It’s got this symmetrical all-wheel-drive system that just feels so planted on the road, like, even when it’s raining, you just feel… secure. And their EyeSight driver-assist tech, it’s like this little camera system that watches the road for you, it can brake if you don’t see the car in front slowing down. It’s honestly such a wagon—or is it a crossover? I don’t even know anymore, but it’s super practical. Uh, price… you’re probably looking at starting around, what, $30,000? Maybe a bit more? Yeah, around there. It’s just a solid, no-drama choice.

Volvo XC90

Oh man, and then there’s Volvo. I feel like they invented safe, you know? The XC90 is like a tank, but a really, really nice, luxurious tank. It’s one of those cars where you get in and you just feel… insulated from the world. They have this thing where it can even steer itself out of a potential collision if it detects something, it’s wild. And the interior is so Scandinavian and calm, it probably lowers your blood pressure just by sitting in it. Not gonna lie, it’s pricey, like starts at over $55,000 easily, but you’re paying for that peace of mind, I guess.

Tesla Model Y

Right, so electric cars! The Tesla Model Y. This one’s interesting because its safety is partly because there’s no big heavy engine block in the front, so the crumple zone is… different, and it’s got a super low center of gravity. And the whole five-star rating thing from every safety agency. But the real safety feature, honestly, is the Autopilot—or the full self-driving, but that’s a whole other conversation. It just sees everything. It’s kinda spooky how aware it is. Price is… uhm, it fluctuates a lot with Elon’s tweets, but let’s say it starts in the mid-$40,000s? After the tax credit maybe.

Toyota RAV4

You can’t have this list without a Toyota, right? The RAV4. It’s like the default family car for a reason. It’s not the most exciting thing to drive, I’ll be honest, but it’s just so relentlessly competent. The Toyota Safety Sense package comes standard, which is huge—that’s automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, all that good stuff. And it’s so reliable, you won’t ever be stranded on the side of a dark road, which is a safety thing too, you know? For maybe like $29,000 to start? Such a sensible choice.

Honda CR-V

And then right next to it is the Honda CR-V. It’s basically the RAV4’s friendly rival. Very similar vibe—super practical, great on gas, and Honda’s safety tech, they call it Honda Sensing, is also fantastic. I feel like the CR-V might have a slightly… comfier ride? Or is that just me? Maybe I’m imagining it. But yeah, it’s another one of those “you can’t really go wrong” cars. Probably starts in the high $20,000s. Boring, but in the best possible way.

Mazda CX-5

Wait, but if you want something that’s safe but also, like, actually fun to drive? The Mazda CX-5. Honestly, it feels more like a car than an SUV, it’s so nimble. And it gets all the top safety picks too. The interior feels way more expensive than it actually is, which is a nice bonus. It doesn’t have as many gimmicks, it just feels solid and well-built. Uhm, I think you can get into a good one for around $30,000. It’s my secret favorite on this list, don’t tell the others.

Hyundai Tucson

Oh, and Hyundai! They’ve come so far. The Tucson is really stylish now, and it’s packed with safety features, even on the lower trims. Their Highway Driving Assist is pretty cool, it kinda helps center you in the lane on long trips. And you get a great warranty, which is a different kind of safety—financial safety! Hah. Price is super competitive, probably starts just under $30,000. A really strong contender.

Ford Bronco Sport

This one might surprise you, but the Ford Bronco Sport. It looks all tough and rugged, but it’s actually got really great crash test ratings and a ton of standard safety tech. It’s like, you feel safe because it looks like it can climb a mountain, but also because it has automatic emergency braking. A weird combo, but it works! And it’s just… cool. Starts around, I wanna say, $32,000? Something like that.

Nissan Rogue

The Nissan Rogue, yeah. It had a big redesign a little while back and it’s so much better now. The ProPILOT Assist is one of the better semi-autonomous systems out there for the price—it really helps on the highway. And it’s got this clever interior, lots of space. It’s another one of those “makes life easier” cars, which reduces stress, and that’s a safety feature too, right? Probably starts around $30,000 as well.

Kia Telluride

Last one, let’s go big. The Kia Telluride. This three-row SUV is just… it’s a beast. It wins all the awards, for safety, for being the best car, everything. It makes you feel like the boss of the road. It’s so confident and it has every single safety feature you can think of, and some you probably didn’t. It’s not cheap, though, starts at like $37,000 and goes up fast, but for a big family, it’s probably worth every penny.