Discover the Safest Cars of 2025: NHTSA’s Latest Vehicle Safety Ratings

Choosing a new vehicle involves many considerations, but safety consistently ranks as a top priority for most drivers. To aid consumers in making informed decisions, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) plays a crucial role. As part of their New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), NHTSA rigorously tests and rates vehicles, and they have recently announced the models selected for the 2025 model year testing. This selection is a key step in determining the Safest Cars 2025 will offer.

This year’s selection for NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings includes a diverse range of 37 vehicles. Crucially, this selection, combined with carry-over models from previous years without significant design changes, will cover approximately 87% of all new vehicles available to consumers. This broad coverage ensures that the safety ratings will be relevant to the vast majority of car buyers looking for the safest cars 2025 has to offer.

Among the vehicles slated for testing are a significant number of electric and hybrid models, totaling eight. This reflects the growing market share of EVs and hybrids and NHTSA’s commitment to evaluating the safety of these increasingly popular vehicles. The tests themselves are comprehensive, simulating various real-world crash scenarios, including frontal impacts, side collisions, and rollover accidents. These rigorous tests are essential in identifying the safest cars 2025 across different vehicle categories.

Beyond crashworthiness, NHTSA is also focusing on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). For the 2025 model year, five vehicles will undergo specific testing to verify the performance of key safety technologies. These technologies include lane departure warning, forward collision warning, crash imminent braking, and dynamic brake support. These systems are increasingly important for preventing accidents in the first place, contributing to the overall safety of vehicles and helping to determine which models could be considered among the safest cars 2025.

According to NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman, the agency’s 5-Star Safety Ratings program is vital for both consumers and automakers. It empowers the public with “the most reliable and up-to-date safety information” to guide their vehicle purchases. Furthermore, the program incentivizes manufacturers to integrate advanced safety technologies into a wider array of vehicles. This ultimately leads to safer roads for everyone and contributes to the development of the safest cars 2025 and beyond.

The results of these safety tests, ranging from one star (lowest) to five stars (highest), will be made publicly available on NHTSA’s website, NHTSA.gov/Ratings, and also on new car window stickers as testing concludes. NHTSA’s NCAP program is a critical part of the Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, aiming to significantly reduce serious injuries and fatalities on US roads. For consumers prioritizing safety, keeping an eye on these ratings will be essential when considering the safest cars 2025 available in the market.

Model Year 2025 Vehicles Selected for 5-Star Safety Ratings Testing

Key: SUV – Sport Utility Vehicle, PU – Pickup, CC – Crew Cab, EC – Extended Cab, PV – Passenger Van, 4 DR – Four Door

Model Year 2025 Vehicles Selected for Advanced Crash Avoidance Technology Systems Verification Testing

Key: SUV – Sport Utility Vehicle, 4 DR – Four Door