It is essential for drivers to know that the car they drive is considered one of the safest cars to drive. Luckily, vehicles are put through several tests in order to pass a safety inspection and achieve a high safety rating. Some tests involve crashing the cars, often with crash test dummies inside in various situations to determine the safety level of the vehicle. In addition, there is frontal crash testing, side crash testing, rear testing, mismatched tests and many more to determine the safety of various automobiles.

Safe New Cars

Some of the safest cars on the road have been tested vigorously and have received high ratings. The number one safest new car in the United States is the Scion XB. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the Scion XB five stars for collisions tests all around. The second safest vehicle on the road is the Honda Accord. The Honda Accord has six air bags, electronic stability control and other important safety features.

Additional Information about Safe New Cars

The Toyota Tacoma is ranked as the third safest car, giving consumers who are looking for a safe car or truck options within the top three rated vehicles. The Tacoma was given five stars, the maximum amount of stars to be awarded, for driver and front passenger safety in both front and side tests. In addition, the rollover rating for the Tacoma was four stars. Individuals who are looking for new cars that are also safe vehicles have many options.

Safe Used Cars

For consumers who prefer older vehicles, but do not want to lose important safety benefits, the top three safest used vehicles are the Acura RL 2006 to 2009; the Audi A4 2006 to 2009 and the 2009 Hyundai Genesis. These vehicles rate high in the department of safety testing and overall ability. Additionally, the Acura RL received a perfect score of five stars in every NHTSA category from 2005 through 2010. The Acura RL has 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, airbags for protection in the front, the side and head, as well as traction control.

Safe Used Cars Continued

The safety features found in the Audi A4 include 4-wheel ABS brake system, airbags protecting front, head and side and traction control. In 2009, the Audi A4 received a five star rating in all tests performed by the NHTSA. The Hyundai Genesis was new in 2009 and received five stars from NHTSA for front and side crash testing and rollover testing. Additionally, the Hyundai Genesis comes equipped with airbag protection, traction control and 4-wheel ABS brake system.

Safety is one of the most important decision factors for consumers buying new or used cars. Luckily, there are several options to choose from, but it is important to know which are the safest cars to drive and have the highest safety ratings among all of the options.