The safest cars of 2026 are:
- 2026 Toyota Camry
- 2026 Honda Accord Sedan
- 2026 Tesla Model Y
- 2026 Genesis G80
It is estimated that 44,600 people died from preventable traffic crashes in the United States in 2024, according to the National Safety Council, so it is important to purchase a safe vehicle.
However, even with the safest car, you could find yourself in an accident.
Call us today for a FREE consultation at (800) 718-4658 or contact us if you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car accident. Our experienced car accident lawyers can help you recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain, suffering, wrongful death and more.
Safest Cars: 2026 Rankings Methodology
Our four choices for the safest cars of 2026 earned a 2025 Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
They also were awarded 5/5 stars by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in all major crash test categories, including:
- Overall vehicle safety rating
- Frontal crash safety rating
- Side crash safety rating
- Rollover resistance rating
2026 Toyota Camry
The 2026 Toyota Camry is a midsize hybrid 4-door sedan.
Toyota has sold the Camry since 1982, and the model has a reputation for being durable and reliable, with strong resale value and low maintenance costs.
However, some have found the Camry’s cabin noise and technology lacking.
Toyota has a reputation for producing vehicles with exceptional durability, longevity and reliability.
However, certain recent Toyota models, such as the Tundra, have faced recalls as well as reports of premature transmission/engine failures.
IIHS Safety Testing
The IIHS tested the Camry and gave it 46 separate safety ratings.
The IIHS gives the following ratings for the safety of vehicles’ specific aspects:
- Good
- Acceptable
- Marginal
- Poor
The Camry received 41 Good ratings and 5 Acceptable ratings.
The Acceptable ratings were given for:
- Small overlap front test passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
- Moderate overlap front test rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
- Side test rear passenger pelvis injury measures
- LE trim and SE trim headlights
- XLE trim and XSE trim headlights
NHTSA Safety Testing
The Camry received 5/5 stars for every category tested by the NHTSA except one: it received a 4/5 star rating for driver safety in frontal crashes.
Safety Technology
There are numerous emerging technologies in accident prevention.
The Camry is equipped with numerous safety features, including:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
- Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist and Lane Tracing Assist
- Road Sign Assist
- Automatic High Beams
- Proactive Driving Assist
In addition, the Camry’s XLE and XSE grades feature:
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Lane Change Assist
- Front Cross-Traffic Alert
- Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking
- Panoramic View Monitor
The Camry is a hybrid that delivers on safety performance while remaining practical, making it one of the safest midsize sedans on the market in 2026.
This vehicle’s biggest safety weakness may be its low beam headlights, which have some limitations.
2026 Honda Accord Sedan
The 2026 Honda Accord is a midsize hybrid 4-door sedan.
Honda has sold the Accord since 1976, and the vehicle has a reputation for exceptional reliability, longevity, high resale value and low ownership costs.
Honda is known for building fuel-efficient, durable and reliable vehicles with high resale value.
However, some Honda models have been noted to have issues with components such as turbo engines or infotainment systems.
IIHS Safety Testing
The IIHS tested the Accord, giving it 44 separate safety ratings.
The Accord received 40 Good or Good+ ratings and 4 Acceptable ratings.
The Accord received Good+ ratings for:
- Child seat attachment ease of use
The Accord received Acceptable ratings for:
- Small overlap front test driver restraints and dummy kinematics
- Moderate overlap front test leg/foot driver injury measures
- Side test pelvis driver injury measures
- Front crash prevention: pedestrian
NHTSA Safety Testing
The Accord was given 5/5 stars by the NHTSA in every category tested.
Safety Technology
The Accord features several advanced safety features, such as:
- Collision Mitigation Braking System
- Forward Collision Warning
- Lane Departure Warning
- Road Departure Mitigation System
- Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure
Additional safety features of the Accord include:
- Brake Assist, Electronic Brake Distribution and Anti-lock braking system
- Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control
- Rear Seat Reminder
- Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System with location indicators
The 2026 Accord is, overall, an exceptionally safe vehicle.
Its pedestrian crash prevention system could be a little better, as it failed to:
- Slow during the adult crossing at night text when going 25 miles per hour and using low beams
- Slow during the parallel adult at night test when going 37 miles per hour and using low beams
2026 Tesla Model Y
The 2026 Tesla Model Y is a fully electric midsize luxury 4-door SUV.
Tesla has sold this model since 2020, and the vehicle has a reputation for strong technology, performance, efficiency and spaciousness.
However, the vehicle has been criticized for over-reliance on a touchscreen, a ride which is sometimes harsh, and inconsistent build quality.
The reputation of Tesla vehicles is mixed, as they are known for performance and innovative technology, but also long-term durability concerns, reliability issues and inconsistent build quality.
IIHS Safety Testing
The IIHS tested the Model Y, giving it 44 separate safety ratings.
The Model Y received 42 Good ratings and 2 Acceptable ratings.
The Model Y received Acceptable ratings for:
- Moderate overlap front test rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
- Child seat anchors
NHTSA Safety Testing
The Model Y was given 5/5 stars by the NHTSA in every category tested.
Safety Technology
The Model Y includes active safety features such as:
- Lane Assist
- Collision Avoidance Assist
- Speed Assist
- Cabin Camera
- Cabin Radar
The Model Y is perhaps the safest vehicle in our list, receiving only two ratings below Good from the IIHS.
2026 Genesis G80
The 2026 Genesis G80 is a large luxury 4-door sedan available in gasoline-powered and all-electric versions.
Genesis has sold this model since 2016, and the vehicle has a reputation for excellent value, stunning design and luxury.
However, some owners have noted concerns about potential dealer network inconsistencies, occasional squeaks and rattles, infotainment system glitches and real-world fuel economy.
Genesis has a reputation for value, reliability and luxury, although some owners have noted quality hiccups regarding infotainment systems and trim pieces.
IIHS Safety Testing
The IIHS tested the G80, giving it 55 separate safety ratings.
The G80 received 45 Good ratings, 7 Acceptable ratings and 3 Marginal ratings.
The G80 received Acceptable ratings for:
- Small overlap front passenger side test lower leg/foot passenger injury measures
- Moderate overlap front test rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics (2026 Genesis G80 2.5T Advanced 4-door 4wd)
- Side test driver head protection
- Side test rear passenger head protection
- Headlights
- Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
- Child seat anchors
The G80 received Marginal ratings for:
- Moderate overlap front test: updated test overall (2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Advanced 4-door 4wd)
- Moderate overlap front test: updated test head/neck rear passenger injury measures (2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Advanced 4-door 4wd)
- Moderate overlap front test: updated test rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics (2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Advanced 4-door 4wd)
NHTSA Safety Testing
The G80 received 5/5 stars from the NHTSA in every category tested except frontal crash driver safety, for which it received 4/5 stars.
Safety Technology
The G80 features advanced driver assistance systems, including:
- Automated emergency braking
- Lane-keeping assist
- Adaptive cruise control
The Genesis G80 is an extremely safe vehicle.
However, the safety performance of the 2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Advanced 4-door 4wd in the moderate overlap front crash test was a bit worse than the performance of the other vehicles in our list.
FAQs
What Car Brand Is the Safest?
Hyundai won the most IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards in 2025, with 10.
Mazda came in second place, with 8.
What Is the Safest SUV?
The Tesla Model Y earned an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award and was given five-star crash ratings by the NHTSA for overall vehicle safety, frontal crash safety, side crash safety and rollover resistance.
Staying Safe on the Road in 2026
Unfortunately, even the safest cars of 2026 can’t prevent every crash.
Choosing a car with proper safety features could be the difference between living or dying in a car crash.
However, what is even more important than buying a safe car is driving safely.
To stay safe on the road:
- Practice defensive driving
- Stay alert
- Follow traffic laws to avoid accidents
However, if you find yourself in a car accident, call us today for a FREE consultation at (800) 718-4658 if you or a loved one was injured or killed in the accident.
Why Clients Choose Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers for Car Accident Cases
- We have been successfully recovering financial compensation for car accident victims since 1990.
- Our lawyers get those injured in car accidents to doctors who treat them without charging them until their cases end.
- We operate on a contingency fee basis, so we don’t charge a fee until we win the case and we don’t charge any upfront or out of pocket fees.
- Our team provides car accident victims with reliable communication and 24/7 availability.
- We and our legal teams have recovered over $750,000,000 for car accident victims and other injury victims.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. All cases are unique and results depend on their specific facts.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
