Each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) assesses vehicles available to the public for crash worthiness and reveals the results on a five-star scale. The following examples we’ve compiled have not only all garnered a top five-star rating and boast a full complement of modern safety equipment, but are best sellers thanks to their bevy of standard features and overall quality, as well. Sneak a pick at our top vehicle picks for safety based on the their five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.
2016 Kia Optima
Korean automobile manufacturers have evolved significantly since entering the market and are now building safe, stylish, and fun-to-drive products. Engineers have prioritized weight reduction and structural rigidity in order to improve steering response and high-speed stability. For example, the panoramic sunroof support structure is made out of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic rather than heavier, traditional materials. Back to the fun nature of the sporty sedan, there’s a new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face.
2015 Chevrolet Malibu
The eight-generation Chevrolet Malibu continued the model’s long history of being a desirable, well-appointed mid-size car. Packing options often offered by luxury brands like turn signals embedded in the side mirrors, the sedan stays visible to surrounding motorists while making turns. Also available is blind spot monitoring to alert drivers of hazardous objects in the way of lane changes, rear cross traffic alert that can detect vehicles outside the field of view, and a backup camera to ease the parking process. In addition, the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder motor packs handy engine stop-start functionality to increase fuel economy.
2014 Toyota Corolla
America has had an ongoing love affair with the Corolla due a number of reasons, such as an affordable price tag, promise of reliable ownership, and reputation for safety. The 2014, in particular, utilizes a unibody construction full of impact-resistant high-strength steel, which, as a bonus, makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling ability and fuel efficiency. This was the year Toyota debuted LED low-beam headlamps on all trim levels, marking a segment first.
2013 Honda Civic
One big reason the 2013 Civic received top NHTSA honors is because of its Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) II body structure designed to help direct energy absorbed during a collision away from passengers, while simultaneously minimizing damage to other vehicles. SmartVent side front seat airbags were introduced to reduce excessive forces associated with deployment. Honda restyled the popular compact for 2013 by completely updating the front and rear ends and giving the interior a more premium feel.
2012 BMW 3 Series
German luxury automakers have long been at the forefront of technology, showcasing gadgetry that later trickles down to the masses. This era of 3 Series has all the bells and whistles, from a full-color Head-Up Display projected onto the windshield so drivers can see important information right in their field of view, to an anti-dazzle High-Beam Assistant synced to a rear view-mirror-mounted camera capable of identifying oncoming vehicles a quarter-mile away, which automatically switches high beams on and off. Other highlights include parking assistance and hands-free trunk release.
