Which Vehicles Have the Highest Safety Ratings for 2022?

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Shopping for a new vehicle can be overwhelming, considering the number of different brands manufactured each year. When making their decision, consumers consider a wide range of factors, including the make and model, different costs, and various features in the vehicle. Price is a key consideration for some consumers, whereas others focus on all the bells and whistles offered. One factor that remains a priority for consumers is safety.

Consumers want to know that the vehicle they choose to drive will protect them in case of a car wreck. Each year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) compile lists of the safest vehicles, which help consumers identify vehicles that meet their specific needs and offer optimal safety features. In making their lists, several factors are considered, including front crash prevention tests, vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations, head restraint and roof strength tests, driver-side and passenger-side overlap tests, and headlight standards.

The manager of safety policy at Consumer Reports says that in 2022, it is the bare minimum for all cars to have solid crash protection. They stated that with the millions of individuals injured due to car accidents each year, vehicles must come standard with safety technology that effectively prevents car accidents from happening in the first place.

Most vehicles come equipped with a range of advanced safety features. Still, small changes can lead to significant improvements and bump up a vehicle’s annual safety rating from the IIHS or NHTSA. Even minor improvements to features, such as headlights, have doubled the number of vehicles getting the highest ratings from the IIHS, which happens when manufacturers develop headlights that give off less glare to oncoming drivers after being flagged by the IIHS for many years.

Consumer Reports recognizes the year’s safest vehicles based on data from the NHTSA and the IIHS. Some of the chosen models were recently redesigned, and some are entirely new vehicles. This year, there are many new vehicles for consumers that are the top choices for the safest vehicles of 2022.

Broken down into size classes, the IIHS has included the following vehicles on its 2022 Top Safety Pick list:

Small Cars

Honda Civic, hatchback, sedan
Honda Insight, sedan
Hyundai Elantra, sedan
Kia Soul, wagon
Mazda 3, hatchback
Mazda 3, sedan
Nissan Sentra, sedan
Subaru BRZ, hatchback
Subaru Crosstrek, wagon
Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, wagon
Subaru Impreza, wagon
Toyota Corolla, hatchback
Toyota Corolla, sedan
Toyota GR86, hatchback

Midsize Cars

Honda Accord, sedan
Hyundai Sonata, sedan
Kia K5, sedan
Nissan Altima, sedan
Nissan Maxima, sedan
Subaru Legacy, sedan
Subaru Outback, wagon
Toyota Camry, sedan

Midsize Luxury Cars

Acura TLX, sedan
Audi A4, sedan
Audi A5 Sportback, hatchback
BMW 2 series Gran Coupe, sedan
BMW 3 series, sedan
Lexus ES 350, sedan
Lexus IS, sedan
Tesla Model 3, sedan
Volvo S60, sedan
Volvo S60 Recharge, sedan
Volvo S60 Cross Country, wagon
Volvo S60 Recharge, wagon

Large Cars

Kia Stinger, hatchback
Toyota Avalon, sedan
Volkswagen Arteon, hatchback

Large Luxury Cars

Audi A6, sedan
Audi A6 allroad, wagon
Audi A7, hatchback
Genesis G70, sedan (applies only to vehicles built after June 2021)
Genesis G80, sedan
Genesis G90, sedan
Mercedes-Benz E-Class (with optional front crash prevention)
Volvo S90, sedan
Volvo S90 Recharge, sedan
Volvo S90 Cross Country, wagon

Small SUVs

Buick Encore GX
Chevrolet Trailblazer
Ford Bronco Sport
Ford Escape (with specific headlights)
Honda CR-V
Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai Venue
Kia Seltos
Kia Sportage
Lexus UX
Lincoln Corsair
Mazda CX-30
Mazda CX-5
Mitsubishi Outlander (applies only to vehicles built after June 2021)
Nissan Rogue
Subaru Forester
Toyota C-HR
Toyota Corolla Cross
Toyota RAV-4
Toyota RAV-4 Prime
Toyota Venza
Volvo C40 Recharge
Volvo XC40
Volvo XC40 Recharge

Midsize SUVs

Ford Edge
Ford Explorer
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Hyundai Palisade
Hyundai Santa Fe (only applies to vehicles built after July 2021)
Kia Sorento
Kia Telluride
Mazda CX-9
Nissan Murano
Subaru Ascent
Toyota Highlander
Volkswagen ID.4

Midsize Luxury SUVs

Acura MDX
Acura RDX
Audi Q5
Audi Q5 Sportback
BMW X5
Cadillac XT6
Genesis GV70
Genesis GV80
Hyundai Nexo
Lexus NX
Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid
Lexus RX
Lincoln Aviator
Lincoln Nautilus
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class (with optional front crash prevention)
Tesla Model Y
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC60 Recharge
Volvo XC90
Volvo XC90 Recharge

Large SUVs

Audi e-tron
Audi e-tron Sportback
Audi Q8 (with specific highlights)

Minivans

Chrysler Pacifica
Honda Odyssey
Kia Carnival
Toyota Sienna

Small Pickups

Hyundai Santa Cruz Crew cab pickup (with specific highlights)

Large Pickups

Ford F-150 Crew cab pickup (with specific highlights)
Ford F-150 Extended cab pickup (with specific highlights)
Ram 1500 Crew cab pickup (with optional front crash prevention and specific highlights)

Consumer Reports, the IIHS, and NHTSA have all pushed automakers to continually improve vehicle safety by making standards more demanding over time. The president of the IIHS noted that the high number of vehicles on the IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick list reflects the influence of their rating system in raising the bar and the need to strive for additional safety changes.

2nd

What are My Options if My Car is totaled in an Accident?

When someone tells you that their vehicle was totaled in a car accident, you might picture a vehicle that is mangled beyond repair. However, although some totaled vehicles may fit that description if the accident was very serious, the term “totaled” simply means that the insurance company believes it is not worth repairing. In other words, the costs associated with repairing the vehicle are more than the total value of the car. If your vehicle was totaled in a car accident, an experienced car accident lawyer will thoroughly explain the options that are available to you and ensure that you receive the financial compensation to which you are entitled.

What Should I Do if My Car is Totaled?

The first thing you should do if you have been involved in an accident is to seek immediate medical attention. Even if your injuries seem minor, it is imperative that you are examined by a skilled medical professional who can assess the severity of your injuries. If you do not get medical attention and you proceed with a personal injury claim, the insurance company may argue that your injuries must not be very serious if you did not find it necessary to go to hospital after the accident. After making sure that your injuries are attended to, you are urged to take the following steps:

Notify your insurance agent. This is also an important step if you plan to file a personal injury claim. The insurance adjuster will consider the value of your car and the estimated costs to have it repaired. If the repair costs exceed a certain percentage of the total value of the car, the insurance company will likely declare the car totaled. Some states, including Maryland, set a total-loss threshold, which is the number at which the vehicle must be considered a total loss. In Maryland, the total-loss threshold is 75 percent. In other words, if the cost to repair the damage is more than 75 percent of the car’s value, the insurance company will consider the car to be totaled.
Arrange for temporary transportation. It is possible that your insurance company will pay for a rental car after the accident, but this will likely be temporary. If your insurance does not cover this cost, you may have to use rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft, or rely on family or friends for rides. Be sure to obtain copies of credit card statements from rideshare services, as you may be reimbursed for these costs. This might also be a good time to consider what your next car might be based on what you can afford.
Consider hiring a car accident lawyer. The financial settlement you will receive from the insurance company will be limited by the policy’s maximum limits. However, you may be able to recover additional money by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. A car accident lawyer will recommend the best legal course of action and assist you with every step of the claims process.

What Happens if My Insurance Company Declares My Car Totaled?

You have several options if your insurance company determines that your car is a total loss. Assuming you have automobile insurance, you will be paid the actual cash value (ACV) of your car, minus the deductible associated with your policy. There are a number of different formulas that insurance companies use to calculate a vehicle’s ACV. Even if your car is new, you will not be reimbursed the same amount of money that you paid for the car. If you purchased new car replacement coverage, an optional insurance add-on, you will be paid enough to replace your totaled car with a vehicle that is a similar make and model.

If your insurance company declared your car totaled, but you disagree with that assessment, you may take the following steps:

Negotiate with your insurer. If you believe that your car is worth more than your insurance declared, you have every right to negotiate that amount with your insurance company. However, you will need to provide evidence to back up your claim that your car is worth more money. Evidence may include recent photos of your vehicle, proof that the car was well maintained, and detailed information about the sale price of cars sold for in your area that were a similar make and model.
Get an independent appraisal. You may take your vehicle to an experienced mechanic or repair shop and request an independent appraisal. If the appraisal amount is more than what the insurance company is offering you, provide a copy of the appraisal to your insurance agent. In some cases, they may increase the settlement offer.
Hire a car accident lawyer. If you are unsatisfied with your insurance settlement, an experienced car accident lawyer can assist you with the claims process and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.

What if the Loan for My Totaled Car is Not Paid Off?

Unfortunately, even if your car has been totaled in an accident, you are still responsible for satisfying that debt. In most cases, your insurance company will make the claim check payable to you and your lender, with the lender being reimbursed first, and any remaining money going to you. Depending on the amount of money you receive from the insurance company, it is possible that you may owe the lender more for the totaled car than the insurance payment you receive. For example, if you owe $20,000 on your car loan, but the value of the car has depreciated to $15,000 after it was totaled, assuming you have collision coverage, you will be reimbursed for the actual cash value of the car, which is $15,000. You will be responsible for paying the lender that amount, as well as the remaining $5,000 out of your own pocket.

However, if you have comprehensive coverage and collision coverage, they may cover the cost of replacing your totaled vehicle with a new car that is a comparable make and model. These are required if you are leasing or financing your vehicle. If the vehicle is paid off, these two separate coverages are optional.

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[{:section_type=>"rich_text", :content=>"<p>Shopping for a new vehicle can be overwhelming, considering the number of different brands manufactured each year. When making their decision, consumers consider a wide range of factors, including the make and model, different costs, and various features in the vehicle. Price is a key consideration for some consumers, whereas others focus on all the bells and whistles offered. One factor that remains a priority for consumers is safety.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Consumers want to know that the vehicle they choose to drive will protect them in case of a car wreck. Each year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) compile lists of the safest vehicles, which help consumers identify vehicles that meet their specific needs and offer optimal safety features. In making their lists, several factors are considered, including front crash prevention tests, vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations, head restraint and roof strength tests, driver-side and passenger-side overlap tests, and headlight standards.</p>\n<p>The manager of safety policy at Consumer Reports says that in 2022, it is the bare minimum for all cars to have solid crash protection. They stated that with the millions of individuals injured due to&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.lthlaw.com/maryland-car-accident-lawyers/\">car accidents</a><span>&nbsp;</span>each year, vehicles must come standard with safety technology that effectively prevents car accidents from happening in the first place.</p>\n<p>Most vehicles come equipped with a range of advanced safety features. Still, small changes can lead to significant improvements and bump up a vehicle’s annual safety rating from the IIHS or NHTSA. Even minor improvements to features, such as headlights, have doubled the number of vehicles getting the highest ratings from the IIHS, which happens when manufacturers develop headlights that give off less glare to oncoming drivers after being flagged by the IIHS for many years.</p>\n<p>Consumer Reports recognizes the year’s safest vehicles based on data from the NHTSA and the IIHS. Some of the chosen models were recently redesigned, and some are entirely new vehicles. This year, there are many new vehicles for consumers that are the top choices for the safest vehicles of 2022.</p>\n<p>Broken down into size classes, the IIHS has included the following vehicles on its 2022 Top Safety Pick list:</p>\n<h3><strong>Small Cars</strong></h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Honda Civic, hatchback, sedan</li>\n<li>Honda Insight, sedan</li>\n<li>Hyundai Elantra, sedan</li>\n<li>Kia Soul, wagon</li>\n<li>Mazda 3, hatchback</li>\n<li>Mazda 3, sedan</li>\n<li>Nissan Sentra, sedan</li>\n<li>Subaru BRZ, hatchback</li>\n<li>Subaru Crosstrek, wagon</li>\n<li>Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, wagon</li>\n<li>Subaru Impreza, wagon</li>\n<li>Toyota Corolla, hatchback</li>\n<li>Toyota Corolla, sedan</li>\n<li>Toyota GR86, hatchback</li>\n</ul>\n<h3><strong>Midsize Cars</strong></h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Honda Accord, sedan</li>\n<li>Hyundai Sonata, sedan</li>\n<li>Kia K5, sedan</li>\n<li>Nissan Altima, sedan</li>\n<li>Nissan Maxima, sedan</li>\n<li>Subaru Legacy, sedan</li>\n<li>Subaru Outback, wagon</li>\n<li>Toyota Camry, sedan</li>\n</ul>\n<h3><strong>Midsize Luxury Cars</strong></h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Acura TLX, sedan</li>\n<li>Audi A4, sedan</li>\n<li>Audi A5 Sportback, hatchback</li>\n<li>BMW 2 series Gran Coupe, sedan</li>\n<li>BMW 3 series, sedan</li>\n<li>Lexus ES 350, sedan</li>\n<li>Lexus IS, sedan</li>\n<li>Tesla Model 3, sedan</li>\n<li>Volvo S60, sedan</li>\n<li>Volvo S60 Recharge, sedan</li>\n<li>Volvo S60 Cross Country, wagon</li>\n<li>Volvo S60 Recharge, wagon</li>\n</ul>\n<h3><strong>Large Cars</strong></h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Kia Stinger, hatchback</li>\n<li>Toyota Avalon, sedan</li>\n<li>Volkswagen Arteon, hatchback</li>\n</ul>\n<h3><strong>Large Luxury Cars</strong></h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Audi A6, sedan</li>\n<li>Audi A6 allroad, wagon</li>\n<li>Audi A7, hatchback</li>\n<li>Genesis G70, sedan (applies only to vehicles built after June 2021)</li>\n<li>Genesis G80, sedan</li>\n<li>Genesis G90, sedan</li>\n<li>Mercedes-Benz E-Class (with optional front crash prevention)</li>\n<li>Volvo S90, sedan</li>\n<li>Volvo S90 Recharge, sedan</li>\n<li>Volvo S90 Cross Country, wagon</li>\n</ul>\n<h3><strong>Small SUVs</strong></h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Buick Encore GX</li>\n<li>Chevrolet Trailblazer</li>\n<li>Ford Bronco Sport</li>\n<li>Ford Escape (with specific headlights)</li>\n<li>Honda CR-V</li>\n<li>Hyundai Tucson</li>\n<li>Hyundai Venue</li>\n<li>Kia Seltos</li>\n<li>Kia Sportage</li>\n<li>Lexus UX</li>\n<li>Lincoln Corsair</li>\n<li>Mazda CX-30</li>\n<li>Mazda CX-5</li>\n<li>Mitsubishi Outlander (applies only to vehicles built after June 2021)</li>\n<li>Nissan Rogue</li>\n<li>Subaru Forester</li>\n<li>Toyota C-HR</li>\n<li>Toyota Corolla Cross</li>\n<li>Toyota RAV-4</li>\n<li>Toyota RAV-4 Prime</li>\n<li>Toyota Venza</li>\n<li>Volvo C40 Recharge</li>\n<li>Volvo XC40</li>\n<li>Volvo XC40 Recharge</li>\n</ul>\n<h3><strong>Midsize SUVs</strong></h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Ford Edge</li>\n<li>Ford Explorer</li>\n<li>Ford Mustang Mach-E</li>\n<li>Hyundai Palisade</li>\n<li>Hyundai Santa Fe (only applies to vehicles built after July 2021)</li>\n<li>Kia Sorento</li>\n<li>Kia Telluride</li>\n<li>Mazda CX-9</li>\n<li>Nissan Murano</li>\n<li>Subaru Ascent</li>\n<li>Toyota Highlander</li>\n<li>Volkswagen ID.4</li>\n</ul>\n<h3><strong>Midsize Luxury SUVs</strong></h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Acura MDX</li>\n<li>Acura RDX</li>\n<li>Audi Q5</li>\n<li>Audi Q5 Sportback</li>\n<li>BMW X5</li>\n<li>Cadillac XT6</li>\n<li>Genesis GV70</li>\n<li>Genesis GV80</li>\n<li>Hyundai Nexo</li>\n<li>Lexus NX</li>\n<li>Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid</li>\n<li>Lexus RX</li>\n<li>Lincoln Aviator</li>\n<li>Lincoln Nautilus</li>\n<li>Mercedes-Benz GLC</li>\n<li>Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class (with optional front crash prevention)</li>\n<li>Tesla Model Y</li>\n<li>Volvo XC60</li>\n<li>Volvo XC60 Recharge</li>\n<li>Volvo XC90</li>\n<li>Volvo XC90 Recharge&nbsp;</li>\n</ul>\n<h3><strong>Large SUVs</strong></h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Audi e-tron</li>\n<li>Audi e-tron Sportback</li>\n<li>Audi Q8 (with specific highlights)</li>\n</ul>\n<h3><strong>Minivans</strong></h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Chrysler Pacifica</li>\n<li>Honda Odyssey</li>\n<li>Kia Carnival</li>\n<li>Toyota Sienna</li>\n</ul>\n<h3><strong>Small Pickups</strong></h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Hyundai Santa Cruz Crew cab pickup (with specific highlights)</li>\n</ul>\n<h3><strong>Large Pickups</strong></h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Ford F-150 Crew cab pickup (with specific highlights)</li>\n<li>Ford F-150 Extended cab pickup (with specific highlights)</li>\n<li>Ram 1500 Crew cab pickup (with optional front crash prevention and specific highlights)</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Consumer Reports, the IIHS, and NHTSA have all pushed automakers to continually improve vehicle safety by making standards more demanding over time. The president of the IIHS noted that the high number of vehicles on the IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick list reflects the influence of their rating system in raising the bar and the need to strive for additional safety changes.&nbsp;</p>\n<p><br><br><br></p>\n<h1><strong>2nd</strong></h1>\n<h1><strong>What are My Options if My Car is totaled in an Accident?</strong></h1>\n<p>When someone tells you that their vehicle was totaled in a&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.lthlaw.com/maryland-car-accident-lawyers/\"><strong>car accident</strong></a>, you might picture a vehicle that is mangled beyond repair. However, although some totaled vehicles may fit that description if the accident was very serious, the term “totaled” simply means that the insurance company believes it is not worth repairing. In other words, the costs associated with repairing the vehicle are more than the total value of the car. If your vehicle was totaled in a car accident, an experienced car accident lawyer will thoroughly explain the options that are available to you and ensure that you receive the financial compensation to which you are entitled.</p>\n<h2><strong>What Should I Do if My Car is Totaled?</strong></h2>\n<p>The first thing you should do if you have been involved in an accident is to seek immediate medical attention. Even if your injuries seem minor, it is imperative that you are examined by a skilled medical professional who can assess the severity of your injuries. If you do not get medical attention and you proceed with a personal injury claim, the insurance company may argue that your injuries must not be very serious if you did not find it necessary to go to hospital after the accident. After making sure that your injuries are attended to, you are urged to take the following steps:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Notify your insurance agent.<span>&nbsp;</span></strong>This is also an important step if you plan to file a personal injury claim. The insurance adjuster will consider the value of your car and the estimated costs to have it repaired. If the repair costs exceed a certain percentage of the total value of the car, the insurance company will likely declare the car totaled. Some states, including Maryland, set a total-loss threshold, which is the number at which the vehicle must be considered a total loss. In Maryland, the total-loss threshold is 75 percent. In other words, if the cost to repair the damage is more than 75 percent of the car’s value, the insurance company will consider the car to be totaled.</li>\n<li><strong>Arrange for temporary transportation.<span>&nbsp;</span></strong>It is possible that your insurance company will pay for a rental car after the accident, but this will likely be temporary. If your insurance does not cover this cost, you may have to use rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft, or rely on family or friends for rides. Be sure to obtain copies of credit card statements from rideshare services, as you may be reimbursed for these costs. This might also be a good time to consider what your next car might be based on what you can afford.</li>\n<li><strong>Consider hiring a car accident lawyer.</strong><span>&nbsp;</span>The financial settlement you will receive from the insurance company will be limited by the policy’s maximum limits. However, you may be able to recover additional money by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. A car accident lawyer will recommend the best legal course of action and assist you with every step of the claims process.</li>\n</ul>\n<h2><strong>What Happens if My Insurance Company Declares My Car Totaled?</strong></h2>\n<p>You have several options if your insurance company determines that your car is a total loss. Assuming you have automobile insurance, you will be paid the actual cash value (ACV) of your car, minus the deductible associated with your policy. There are a number of different formulas that insurance companies use to calculate a vehicle’s ACV. Even if your car is new, you will not be reimbursed the same amount of money that you paid for the car. If you purchased new car replacement coverage, an optional insurance add-on, you will be paid enough to replace your totaled car with a vehicle that is a similar make and model.</p>\n<p>If your insurance company declared your car totaled, but you disagree with that assessment, you may take the following steps:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Negotiate with your insurer.<span>&nbsp;</span></strong>If you believe that your car is worth more than your insurance declared, you have every right to negotiate that amount with your insurance company. However, you will need to provide evidence to back up your claim that your car is worth more money. Evidence may include recent photos of your vehicle, proof that the car was well maintained, and detailed information about the sale price of cars sold for in your area that were a similar make and model.</li>\n<li><strong>Get an independent appraisal.<span>&nbsp;</span></strong>You may take your vehicle to an experienced mechanic or repair shop and request an independent appraisal. If the appraisal amount is more than what the insurance company is offering you, provide a copy of the appraisal to your insurance agent. In some cases, they may increase the settlement offer.</li>\n<li><strong>Hire a car accident lawyer.<span>&nbsp;</span></strong>If you are unsatisfied with your insurance settlement, an experienced car accident lawyer can assist you with the claims process and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.</li>\n</ul>\n<h2><strong>What if the Loan for My Totaled Car is Not Paid Off?</strong></h2>\n<p>Unfortunately, even if your car has been totaled in an accident, you are still responsible for satisfying that debt. In most cases, your insurance company will make the claim check payable to you and your lender, with the lender being reimbursed first, and any remaining money going to you. Depending on the amount of money you receive from the insurance company, it is possible that you may owe the lender more for the totaled car than the insurance payment you receive. For example, if you owe $20,000 on your car loan, but the value of the car has depreciated to $15,000 after it was totaled, assuming you have collision coverage, you will be reimbursed for the actual cash value of the car, which is $15,000. You will be responsible for paying the lender that amount, as well as the remaining $5,000 out of your own pocket.</p>\n<p>However, if you have comprehensive coverage and collision coverage, they may cover the cost of replacing your totaled vehicle with a new car that is a comparable make and model. These are required if you are leasing or financing your vehicle. If the vehicle is paid off, these two separate coverages are optional.</p>"}]