When we’re on the road, safety comes first. While every vehicle comes with a certain amount of safety features, some excel in advanced safety features more than others. As technology advances, today’s manufacturers are leaning increasingly towards protecting drivers and passengers with progressive systems, including adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency brakes. Accompanied by solid safety and rating performances, these cars pass the safety tests.
We have researched various online forums and data sources, including The Texas Law Dog to compile a list of the 12 safest cars to drive in 2024.
Mazda CX-50
Starting at $30,300, the Mazda CX-50 is the latest Mazda model, which sports a wide array of features. The advanced safety features include auto emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, and more to prevent collisions and keep you from getting injured. Its average of 0.2 yearly fatal crashes makes it one of the safest vehicles to drive.
Lexus UX
With only about 0.013 crashes per 1000 cars, the Lexus UX is one of the safest vehicles to drive in our current world. The car comes with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including pre-collision detection, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Its ability to detect other vehicles in the vicinity ranks it highly in safety ratings.
Rivian R1T
Rated ‘good’ in terms of safety, the Rivian R1T has various features that make it one of the safest electric trucks currently. Its 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control ensure an average of meager 0.2 yearly fatal crashes. A 5-seater truck with an average price of $86,700, the R1T has a shallow center of gravity, which makes it stable on rough terrains, too.
BMW X1
The BMW X1 operates safely, with an average of 0.4 fatal crashes annually. While it isn’t the most prominent car in size, it boasts plenty of advanced safety features. BMW’s driver assistance systems are especially well-incorporated in the X1, with automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance providing warnings through audio-visual alerts. It also features a collision warning system that warns the driver when danger is near. The car is safe enough to register only about 0.02 crashes per 1000 cars.
Audi Q8
This Q8 version of Audi cars comes with several driver assistance features. Pedestrian detection, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and a host of other features ensure that safety is never compromised. Audi SUVs usually perform very well in crash tests, and the Q8 is no different. It averages only 0.4 fatal crashes per year and 0.03 crashes per 1000 cars.
Tesla Model Y
Despite facing 229 complaints, the Tesla Model Y received the perfect five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Its advanced autopilot system, collision avoidance technologies, and next-generation airbag system make it one of the safest electric vehicles in the world, with only about 0.05 crashes per 1000 cars.
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
The 5-seater Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport can be the perfect respite for families going on a road trip. This spacious SUV is packed with vital safety features like blind-spot monitoring, height-adjustable safety belts, and adaptive cruise control among others. The SUV has always been resilient against crashes, registering only 0.05 crashes per 1000 cars. Keeping Volkswagen’s features in mind, the Atlas Cross Sport is no exception on the road.
Mazda CX-30
A small, compact SUV, the Mazda CX-30 is considered one of the safest cars by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The CX-30 comes with a number of features, including lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. With only an average of 2.6 yearly fatal crashes, the car is safe for daily city commutes as well as road trips.
Hyundai Palisade
The spacious Hyundai Palisade is one of the safest large SUVs, registering only 7.8 yearly fatal crashes on average. It offers a good deal of advanced safety features, which range from rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring to safe exit and highway driving assistance. Starting from $41,605, the Palisade protects both drivers and passengers against crashes.
Volkswagen Atlas
The large 7-seater Volkswagen Atlas is a dependable SUV when it comes to safety on the road. Features like pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking ensure protection against crashes. A 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA renders it one of the safest SUVs in the world, which faces only 0.15 crashes per 1000 cars.
Acura RDX
The Acura RDX contributes to an annual average of 29.8 fatal crashes, making it one of the safest compact luxury SUVs in the market. The RDX model has a variety of built-in advanced safety features such as collision mitigation brakes, lane-keeping assistance, and road departure mitigation. Coupling luxury with safety, the RDX is excellent in crash and collision avoidance and faces about 0.63 crashes per 1000 cars.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Garnering a ‘good’ rating by IIHS in crash avoidance, the Hyundai Santa Cruz can be considered one of the safest vehicles in its category. It averages only 0.8 yearly fatal crashes due to a multitude of advanced safety features like stability control and front-impact airbags. The features help in avoiding collisions, especially on the highway. It faces about 0.03 crashes per 1000 cars, which is enough assurance for families to take their vehicles out in congested city traffic.