Some car buyers prioritize fun yet superfluous features, like a retractable roof or a killer stereo system to blast those Grateful Dead jams. But at the end of the day, nothing beats vehicular safety. With so many cars on the road, it can be tough for drivers to know what model is the safest one available. Instead of taking a stab in the dark, you can always consult the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety — a nonprofit group known for its annual list of “Top Safety Picks” since 2006. In 2013, the organization unveiled its more prestigious “Top Safety Pick+” award, considering critical factors like crash and injury prevention. Here are some of the standout options among this year’s winners.
2024 Acura Integra 4-Door Hatchback
The 2024 Acura Integra does an excellent job of keeping passengers secure on both the driver and passenger sides, and successfully prevents injuries from head to toe in both the front and rear rows of seats. The only drawback to be aware of is a merely average seat belt reminder system, leaving something to be desired on that front. But otherwise, this hatchback is an excellent option for a safe drive.
2024 Mazda 3 4-Door Hatchback
The 2024 Mazda 3 is a stellar safety option and arguably the most well-rounded small hatchback vehicle currently on the market. According to the IIHS, the Mazda 3 has near-perfect performance in terms of both crash and injury prevention. The only downside to be aware of is that headlight performance can be less than optimal.
2024 Toyota Prius 4-Door Hatchback
The 2024 Toyota Prius is one of the safest and most fuel-efficient models out there, as some modern Prius models can travel a whopping 57 miles per gallon. But it’s also the impeccable safety record that makes these Toyota vehicles so popular. This model got a Good+ rating for its child seat anchors, so you can drive around knowing the toddlers are securely strapped in the back seat.
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2024 Honda Accord 4-Door Sedan
The 2024 Honda Accord is one of the safest four-door sedans available, as it’s been highly rated by the IIHS to protect passengers in the event of a serious collision. It’s also fantastic at preventing accidents to begin with, with good quality headlights plus an acceptable braking system to prevent any potential pedestrian accidents.
2024 Genesis Electrified G80 4-Door Sedan
The 2024 Genesis Electrified G80 sedan is a fantastic large luxury vehicle in terms of safety. While other luxury brands may prioritize sleek styling over practicality, that’s not the case here. Genesis took extra care in designing a model that’s both elegant and can keep all of the passengers inside feeling safe and secure.
2024 Hyundai Kona 4-Door SUV
The 2024 Hyundai Kona is a small four-door SUV that’s perfect for the entire family. It keeps every passenger firmly secure in their seat in the event of an accident. Be aware that the child safety latches have only been deemed “acceptable,” so there may be better models out there for families with young children. But this is an excellent choice for any passengers who don’t require a car seat.
2024 Ford Explorer 4-Door SUV
The 2024 Ford Explorer was painstakingly tested by the IIHS, which found its safety ratings were nearly second to none. The main area in which this vehicle is lacking is that it doesn’t have any sort of reliable seat belt reminder system, so just be sure to strap in the moment you enter the vehicle. Once you hear that seat belt lock you’re good to go, as you’ll have a safe journey ahead of you.
2024 Kia Telluride 4-Door SUV
The 2024 Kia Telluride earned near-perfect ratings across the board within the midsize SUV space. The one area in which the IIHS noticed less-than-ideal performance is with the rear passenger restraints. Otherwise, the Kia Telluride received nearly perfect scores in terms of passenger safety and crash prevention.
2024 Nissan Pathfinder 4-Door SUV
The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder is one of the best options available if you have young children. It achieved stellar ratings for its child car seat restraints and near-perfect scores for preventing injury in the event of a serious crash. Just be aware that the headlights could be improved upon, as they’re not curve-adaptive, but otherwise, this is an excellent vehicle in terms of safety.
2024 Subaru Ascent 4-Door SUV
The 2024 Subaru Ascent lives up to Subaru’s reputation of being an excellent family car, as this SUV will keep the entire clan safe. This model is a noted improvement compared to earlier Subaru models, as the IIHS rated it higher than recent models from just a few years ago. You can generally trust Subaru to do a great job of keeping their consumers safe.
2024 Acura MDX 4-Door SUV
The 2024 Acura MDX is expertly designed to lessen the risk of injury in the event of a serious collision. Just be sure to strap in to avoid any potential harm, as the car lacks a good seat belt reminder system. But for what it lacks, it more than makes up for in terms of reliability and comfort.
2024 BMW X3 4-Door SUV
The 2024 BMW X3 is one of the most desirable luxury SUVs available, as it allows you to ride in both safety and style. During crash testing, this BMW did an excellent job of mitigating the risk of serious injury, earning itself stellar scores in that category. Remember that this model was deemed to only have marginal seat belt reminders and child seat restraints, however. Otherwise, it’s a very safe vehicle.
2024 Lincoln Nautilus 4-Door SUV
The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus is the preeminent midsize luxury SUV when it comes to safety, as this model received perfect grades from the IIHS in all but one category. The only slight ding was concerning driver restraints, which were deemed “acceptable” in the event of a crash. Otherwise, you’d be hard-pressed to find more of a sure thing than the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class 4-Door SUV
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class earned far more than just style points. This safe and luxurious option is renowned for keeping the driver and passengers safe in the event of a collision from any direction. While this vehicle may cost more than other more affordable options, it’s well worth the price, considering how much safety it provides.
2024 Rivian R1T Crew Cab Pickup
The 2024 Rivian R1T is the only pickup truck to achieve the Top Safety Pick+ rating in 2024, and for good reason. This large pickup is fantastic at protecting its passengers and any contents in a crash. The only thing to take note of is that rear passengers may lack adequate head protection in rare instances, but otherwise, the IIHS deemed this to be one of the sturdiest new vehicles on the road. Of course, starting at $70,000, that safety comes at a cost.
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Bennett Kleinman is a New York City-based staff writer for Optimism Media. He is also a freelance comedy writer, devoted New York Yankees and New Jersey Devils fan, and thinks plain seltzer is the best drink ever invented.
This article is for general informational purposes only.
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