Consumer Reports has just released its new Safety Verdict system, which ranks car brands based on their crash test results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and their adherence to federal safety standards in the United States. Other benchmarks, such as safety technology and braking proficiency, are also included in the criteria.
Overall, the publication rated 29 automakers, with Mazda reigning at the top of the list. In a separate statement, the Japanese brand credited its stellar crash test scores and robust driver-assistance systems for this recognition.
Rounding out the podium were Genesis in second and Acura in third. Interestingly, both are premium arms of heritage brands Hyundai and Honda, respectively. The latter two automakers also made the list, securing spots in the top 10.
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For those curious, we’ve outlined the 10 safest brands according to Consumer Reports below.
Consumer Reports Safety Verdict: 10 Safest car brands
- Mazda
- Genesis
- Acura
- Lincoln
- Hyundai
- Honda
- Nissan
- Audi
- Subaru
- Kia
While the data analysis is extensive, Consumer Reports associate director of auto safety, Emily Thomas, PhD, succinctly described basic vehicle safety standards: “A safe car has predictable handling and braking in everyday driving and emergencies, controls that don’t distract you, technology that can prevent a crash in the first place, and a design that protects occupants if a crash occurs.”
The organization’s senior director of auto testing, Jake Fisher, then echoed on the importance of intuitive design, saying: “If controlling climate or audio functions distracts you from the task of driving, that’s a strike against safety.”
