10 Safest Small Cars You Can Buy in 2025

Small cars can still offer big protection. These 10 compact models stand out for their top safety ratings, advanced driver-assist features, and strong crash-test performance. If you’re looking for an affordable car that keeps you and your passengers safe, these are the best options on the market right now.

Honda Civic

Okay, the Civic, right? I mean, it’s like the poster child for “safe small car,” you know? It’s not flashy, but it’s got that solid build, and the safety tech is actually pretty good now, like automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, all that jazz. I drove one last year, and honestly, it felt, I don’t know, just reliable. Like, you could throw your grandma in there and she’d feel safe, but also, you could drive it to work and not feel like you’re in a clown car. And the price? Around $25,000, which is not bad for what you get. I mean, yeah, it’s not the most exciting thing on the road, but sometimes boring is good, right?

Toyota Corolla

Oh, the Corolla. Classic. Like, everyone’s uncle has one, you know? But seriously, it’s still a solid pick. It’s not the fastest, not the flashiest, but it’s safe, reliable, and the safety features are actually decent now, adaptive cruise, blind spot monitoring, all that. I mean, it’s not like you’re driving a spaceship, but it’s not a death trap either. And the price is about $23,000, which is pretty reasonable. I kinda like that it’s not trying too hard, you know? It’s just there. Like, dependable. Not gonna lie, I’d rather have a Corolla than some fancy electric thing that might break down in two years.

Mazda3

So, the Mazda3. Now, this one’s a bit more fun to drive, you know? It’s got that sporty feel, but it’s still small and safe. I mean, the safety ratings are up there, and the tech is actually pretty nice, like the infotainment is actually usable, which is rare. And the price? Around $26,000. I mean, yeah, it’s a bit more than the Civic or Corolla, but it feels a bit more premium, you know? Like, it’s not just a box on wheels. I kinda like that it’s got a bit of personality, but still feels safe. Not gonna lie, I’d probably pick this one if I wanted something that didn’t feel like a rental car.

Subaru Impreza

Alright, the Impreza. Now, this one’s interesting because it’s got all-wheel drive, which is kinda rare in small cars. I mean, it’s not a monster truck, but it’s nice if you live somewhere with snow or rain. The safety features are solid, like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, all that. And the price is about $24,000. I mean, it’s not the most exciting thing to drive, but it’s practical, and I kinda like that it’s got that Subaru ruggedness. Not gonna lie, I’d feel safer in this one on a rainy day than, say, a Civic.

Hyundai Elantra

So, the Elantra. Now, this one’s a bit more stylish, you know? It’s got that sleek look, and the safety tech is actually pretty good, like blind spot monitoring, lane keeping, all that. And the price is around $22,000, which is not bad. I mean, it’s not as reliable as a Toyota, but it’s not terrible either. I kinda like that it’s got a bit more personality than the usual suspects, but still feels safe. Not gonna lie, I’d probably pick this one if I wanted something that didn’t look like every other car on the road.

Kia Forte

Alright, the Forte. Now, this one’s basically the Elantra’s cousin, you know? Same platform, similar features, but maybe a bit more, I don’t know, Kia-ish? The safety tech is solid, and the price is about $21,000. I mean, it’s not the most exciting thing to drive, but it’s safe, reliable, and cheap. Not gonna lie, I’d probably pick this one if I was on a tight budget but still wanted something that wouldn’t fall apart in two years.

Volkswagen Golf

So, the Golf. Now, this one’s a bit more European, you know? It’s got that sporty feel, but it’s still small and safe. The safety features are actually pretty good, like automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, all that. And the price is around $27,000. I mean, yeah, it’s a bit more than the others, but it feels a bit more premium. Not gonna lie, I’d probably pick this one if I wanted something that felt a bit more, I don’t know, grown-up.

Nissan Sentra

Alright, the Sentra. Now, this one’s a bit more basic, you know? It’s not the most exciting thing to drive, but it’s safe, reliable, and cheap. The safety features are decent, like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, all that. And the price is about $20,000. I mean, it’s not the most fun car in the world, but it’s not a bad choice if you just want something that gets you from point A to point B without breaking the bank. Not gonna lie, I’d probably pick this one if I was just starting out and didn’t want to spend a lot.

Chevrolet Bolt EV

So, the Bolt EV. Now, this one’s electric, which is kinda cool, you know? It’s small, safe, and the safety features are actually pretty good, like automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, all that. And the price is around $28,000. I mean, yeah, it’s a bit more than the others, but it’s electric, so you save on gas. Not gonna lie, I’d probably pick this one if I wanted something that was a bit more eco-friendly and didn’t want to deal with gas stations.

Mini Cooper

Alright, the Mini Cooper. Now, this one’s a bit more, I don’t know, quirky, you know? It’s small, safe, and the safety features are actually pretty good, like automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, all that. And the price is around $29,000. I mean, yeah, it’s a bit more than the others, but it’s got that Mini personality, which is kinda fun. Not gonna lie, I’d probably pick this one if I wanted something that stood out a bit more.