A review of car safety ratings
Know what each of the vehicle safety ratings and performance indicators mean to help you make the best selection for your needs.
NHTSA
- What it is: A Federal government organization charged with enforcing vehicle performance standards to reduce deaths, injuries and economic losses from motor vehicle crashes
- Ratings: 5-star safety rating; evaluates how vehicles perform in crash tests
- Tests: Frontal crash test, side barrier, side pole, rollover
- Safety awards:
- Descending number of stars; those with a 5-star rating are safer than those with a lower score
- Find results: SaferCar.gov
IIHS
- What it is: An independent, non-profit organization
- Ratings: Poor, Marginal, Acceptable and Good
- Tests: Driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, head restraints and seats
- Safety awards:
- IIHS Top Safety Pick: Vehicles that receive GOOD ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests
- IIHS Top Safety Pick +: The highest possible award for crash safety to vehicles that get GOOD ratings in Top Safety Pick tests, including an ACCEPTABLE or GOOD rating in the passenger-side small overlap front test
- Find results: Top Safety Picks
Additional non-safety awards
J.D. Power Quality and Reliability
- What it is: An analytics and consumer insight company
- Ratings: A combination of quality and dependability scores that include short- and long-term owner feedback
- Awards:
- Quality ratings are given based on responses from the first 90 days of ownership in various vehicle segments
- Dependability ratings are given based on responses after 3 years of ownership in various vehicle segments
- Dealership experience scores include opinions of car buying, repair and maintenance
- Resale ratings reflect depreciated value of vehicles
- Find results: J.D. Power Awards
Edmunds Ratings
- What it is: An auto information resource
- Ratings: A standardized road test loop of about 200 cars to compare vehicles against each other in size and class
- Awards: Ratings from A to F for both new and used cars
- Find results: Edmunds Ratings
Kelley Blue Book
- What it is: A review and pricing resource
- Ratings: A year-long evaluation and testing review focusing on data, pricing, reviews and other information
- Awards: Best Buy Awards honor top new model-year vehicles in 16 categories as well as the Best New Model
- Find results: Kelley Blue Book Awards
MotorTrend’s Car, Truck and SUV of the Year
- What it is: Annual awards given by MotorTrend magazine
- Ratings: Includes function, fuel economy and driving range; technology and design innovation; value and safety
- Awards: Scored using a 10-point scale; 7 is average
- Find results: MotorTrend’s Awards
You can also check out the insurance ratings for the car, truck or SUV you are considering to see how it will affect your premium.
