Every year, many Americans decide to invest in new vehicles, and safety is always a top priority. American drivers want vehicles with the highest crash test safety scores, safety options, and highest survival rates for car accidents. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) compile an annual list of the safest vehicles available for American buyers, and the 2018 list includes several options.
2018 Toyota Camry
The highest-selling vehicle in America, the Toyota Camry, received a complete design overhaul for 2018 and scored the highest on the IIHS rankings with a rating of 9.2 out of 10. The newest Camry model includes numerous safety features and driver assistance technologies such as automatic emergency braking, lane assistance, and adaptive cruise control. In addition to these safety features, the 2018 Camry also boasts a new exterior look and a more powerful and more efficient engine.
2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Mercedes-Benz has always been a leader of the luxury car industry, and the latest E-Class models also receive top scores for safety. The IIHS ranks the latest E-Class model at 8.9 out of 10 for safety. Additionally, the NHTSA awarded this model a full five stars during crash testing. While the new E-Class has adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic emergency braking, the new Mercedes-Benz also boasts several more high-tech safety features. The new E-Class includes an Evasive Steering Assist feature that helps a driver make tight maneuvers to avoid pedestrians and other sudden hazards. The E-Class also includes a new Pre-Safe Sound feature that protects drivers’ hearing from the noise of a collision by emitting a low frequency that prepares a vehicle’s occupants’ ears for the sound of an imminent crash.
2018 BMW 5-Series
The “ultimate driving machine” manufacturer BMW includes an array of state-of-the-art safety features in this year’s models, earning it a rating of 8.8 out of 10 in safety from the IIHS. The 5-Series includes several midsize luxury models with the new BMW Active Protection System. When the vehicle detects an imminent collision, the car will automatically close the windows and sunroofs, tighten the seatbelts, and apply the brakes to prevent secondary collisions. The new 5-Series also includes a cutting-edge adaptive LED headlight system that swivels the car’s headlight beams in the direction the driver turns, helping to illuminate a curved path of travel.
2018 Genesis G80 and G90
Both Genesis 2018 models appear on the top of the IIHS’s safety rankings this year. The G80 and G90 both received scores of 8.8 out of 10 thanks to their multiple advanced safety features. Both models include lane-keeping assistance, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive LED headlight options. The more expensive G90 model also includes a 360-degree camera system, driver alertness monitoring system, and a heads-up display.
2018 Kia Soul
The new Kia Soul is the most affordable of the top-ranked vehicles for safety on the IIHS and NHTSA lists, with an MSRP of only $16,100 and an IIHS safety rating of 8.8 out of 10. The new 2018 Kia Soul comes with an optional rearview camera, forward collision warning technology, lane-keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring, and a rear cross-traffic alert system. This fuel-efficient compact SUV also received a five-star rating from the NHTSA for crash test performance.
2018 Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback has been one of the most popular wagon-style vehicles in America for years. The 2018 model boasts some of the highest safety ratings available and received an IIHS score of 8.5 out of 10. Every Outback features all-wheel drive, and buyers can select the optional EyeSight safety tech suite on every version of the 2018 Outback, except the base model.
These are just a few of the highest-rated 2018 models for safety. If you’re interested in buying a new 2018 vehicle this year and want to be sure of the safety features, do extensive research on the options available in your area before committing to a purchase.