Car accidents are a leading cause of injury and death in the world. In the United States alone, more than 38,000 people lost their lives in car accidents in 2019. The good news is that advances in car safety technology have resulted in cars that are safer than ever before. But with so many car makes and models on the market, it can be challenging to determine which ones are the safest. In this article, we will explore which vehicles perform better in side impact collisions, head-on collisions, and rear impact collisions, and provide you with the safest and worst-performing car makes and models.

Understanding Car Safety Ratings:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are two organizations that provide car safety ratings. The NHTSA provides a five-star safety rating system, with five stars being the highest safety rating. The IIHS provides a safety rating system that ranges from poor to good, with good being the highest safety rating.

Safest Cars in Side Impact Collisions:

In side impact collisions, the car’s side is hit by another car or object. The safest cars in side impact collisions include:

1. Volvo XC90
2. Toyota Camry
3. Honda Accord
4. Subaru Legacy
5. Mazda 6

Worst-Performing Cars in Side Impact Collisions:

The worst-performing cars in side impact collisions include:

1. Mitsubishi Mirage
2. Hyundai Accent
3. Kia Rio
4. Chevrolet Spark
5. Nissan Versa

Safest Cars in Head-On Collisions:

In head-on collisions, the front of one car hits the front of another car. The safest cars in head-on collisions include:

1. Subaru Impreza
2. Honda Civic
3. Toyota Corolla
4. Mazda 3
5. Kia Forte

Worst-Performing Cars in Head-On Collisions:

The worst-performing cars in head-on collisions include:

1. Chevrolet Spark
2. Mitsubishi Mirage
3. Kia Rio
4. Nissan Versa
5. Hyundai Accent

Safest Cars in Rear Impact Collisions:

In rear impact collisions, one car hits the back of another car. The safest cars in rear impact collisions include:

1. Subaru Ascent
2. Toyota Camry
3. Mazda CX-5
4. Honda Insight
5. Mazda 6

Worst-Performing Cars in Rear Impact Collisions:

The worst-performing cars in rear impact collisions include:

1. Kia Rio
2. Hyundai Accent
3. Chevrolet Spark
4. Mitsubishi Mirage
5. Nissan Versa

Severe Injury Data for Car Makes and Models:

The IIHS also provides data on the likelihood of severe injury in a car accident. The cars with the lowest likelihood of severe injury in a car accident include:

1. Audi A4
2. Volvo XC90
3. BMW 5 Series
4. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
5. Toyota Highlander

Fatality Data for Car Makes and Models:

The NHTSA provides data on the number of fatalities per billion vehicle miles traveled. The cars with the lowest fatality rates include:

1. Tesla Model 3
2. Audi E-Tron
3. Subaru Legacy
4. Lexus UX
5. Mazda MX-5 Miata

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How do car safety ratings work? Car safety ratings are provided by organizations such as the NHTSA and the IIHS. The ratings are based on crash tests and other safety-related factors, and are intended to help consumers make informed decisions when purchasing a car.
2. What are the safest cars in side impact collisions? The safest cars in side impact collisions include the Volvo XC90, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Subaru Legacy, and Mazda 6.
3. What are the worst-performing cars in head-on collisions? The worst-performing cars in head-on collisions include the Chevrolet Spark, Mitsubishi Mirage, Kia Rio, Nissan Versa, and Hyundai Accent.
4. What are the cars with the lowest likelihood of severe injury in a car accident? According to the IIHS, the cars with the lowest likelihood of severe injury in a car accident include the Audi A4, Volvo XC90, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Toyota Highlander.

Car safety is a crucial factor to consider when purchasing a car. In this article, we have explored which vehicles perform better in side impact collisions, head-on collisions, and rear impact collisions. We have also provided information on the safest and worst-performing car makes and models, as well as severe injury and fatality data. By considering this information, you can make an informed decision when purchasing your next car, and help to ensure your safety and the safety of your passengers on the road.

Sources:

1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2021). Crash Test Ratings. https://www.nhtsa.gov/ratings
2. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. (2021). Top Safety Picks. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/top-safety-picks
3. U.S. News & World Report. (2021). 21 Safest Cars and SUVs for 2021. https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/safest-cars-and-suvs
4. Consumer Reports. (2021). Best Cars for Safety. https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/best-cars-for-safety/
5. National Safety Council. (2021). Injury Facts. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/overview/introduction/
6. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2021). Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). https://www.nhtsa.gov/research-data/fatality-analysis-reporting-system-fars