The Safest Cars On The Road

When buying a car, what's most important to you? Is it cost? Reliability? Car safety ratings? Whether other drivers would buy it again?

If it is car safety ratings that's paramount, then you might want to consider the results of the annual Top Safety Pick awards, released by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS).

The following are the winners from the past five years; considered some of the safest cars out there. If you're thinking of buying a new car, or a gently used vehicle, this list might just help you decide what car fits your car safety needs best. Also, car insurance quotes for any of the Top Safety Pick award winners can be found at KANETIX; compare quotes before you buy to make a fully informed car purchasing decision.

2013 models | 2012 models | 2011 models | 2010 models | 2009 models

Buying an older car? Check out the IIHS website where you can find past Top Safety Pick award winners for the safest cars for the model years: 2008, 2007 and 2006. It is also at the IIHS where you can find details on the exact model, possible exclusions, body style, and vehicle style (sedan versus hatchback) of the winners.

The most recent Top Safety Pick awards: 2013 models

Released at the end of each year, this is the current list of winners. The Top Safety Pick award recognizes vehicles that, according to IIHS, protect drivers and passengers in a variety of tests including front, side, rollover and rear crashes.

MINICARs

• Fiat 500
• Ford Fiesta
• Honda Fit
• Nissan Versa
• Toyota Prius c and the Toyota Yaris

• Acura ILX
• Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Sonic, and the Chevrolet Volt
• Dodge Dart
• Ford Focus
• Honda Civic, Honda CR-Z, and the Honda Insight
• Hyundai Elantra
• Kia Forte and the Kia Soul
• Lexus CT 200h
• Mazda 3
• Mini Cooper Countryman
• Mitsubishi Lancer
• Nissan Cube, Nissan Juke, and the Nissan Leaf
• Scion FR-S, Scion tC, Scion xB, and the Scion xD
• Subaru BRZ, Subaru Impreza, and the Subaru XV Crosstrek
• Toyota Corolla and the Toyota Prius
• Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen GTI

• Audi A3
• Buick Verano
• Chevrolet Malibu
• Chrysler 200
• Dodge Avenger
• Ford Fusion
• Honda Accord
• Hyundai Sonata
• Kia Optima
• Nissan Altima
• Subaru Legacy and the Subaru Outback
• Suzuki Kizashi
• Toyota Camry and Toyota Prius v
• Volkswagen Jetta and the Volkswagen Passat
• Volvo C30

• Acura TL and Acura TSX
• Audi A4
• BMW 3 series
• Lexus ES 350
• Lincoln MKZ
• Mercedes C class
• Volkswagen CC
• Volvo S60

• Buick LaCrosse
• Buick Regal
• Chrysler 300
• Dodge Charger
• Ford Taurus
• Hyundai Azera
• Toyota Avalon

• Audi A6
• BMW 5 series
• Cadillac CTS and the Cadillac XTS
• Hyundai Equus and the Hyundai Genesis
• Infiniti M37/M56
• Lexus GS
• Lincoln MKS
• Mercedes E class
• Volvo S80

• Ford Escape
• Honda CR-V
• Hyundai Tucson
• Jeep Patriot
• Kia Sportage
• Mazda CX-5
• Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
• Subaru Forester
• Toyota RAV4
• Volkswagen Tiguan

• Chevrolet Equinox
• Dodge Durango and the Dodge Journey
• Ford Edge, Ford Explorer, and the Ford Flex
• GMC Terrain
• Honda Crosstour and the Honda Pilot
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Kia Sorento
• Subaru Tribeca
• Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Highlander, and the Toyota Venza

• Acura MDX and the Acura RDX
• Audi Q5
• BMW X3
• Cadillac SRX
• Infiniti EX
• Lexus RX
• Lincoln MKT and the Lincoln MKX
• Mercedes GLK and the Mercedes M class
• Volvo XC60 and the Volvo XC90

• Buick Enclave
• Chevrolet Traverse
• GMC Acadia
• Volkswagen Touareg

• Chrysler Town & Country
• Dodge Grand Caravan
• Honda Odyssey
• Toyota Sienna

• Ford F-150
• Honda Ridgeline
• Toyota Tundra

In the market to buy a new car?

• Read: Tips On Buying A Fuel-Efficient Vehicle

2012's Safest Cars: Top Safety Picks award winners

MINICARs

• Fiat 500
• Ford Fiesta
• Honda Fit
• Nissan Versa
• Toyota Yaris

• Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Sonic, and the Chevrolet Volt
• Ford Focus
• Honda Civic, Honda CR-Z, and the Honda Insight
• Hyundai Elantra
• Kia Forte and the Kia Soul
• Lexus CT 200h
• Mazda 3
• Mini Cooper Countryman
• Mitsubishi Lancer
• Nissan Cube, Nissan Juke, and the Nissan Leaf
• Scion tC, Scion xB, and the Scion xD
• Subaru Impreza
• Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius, and the Toyota Prius c
• Volkswagen Golf adn the Volkswagen GTI

• Audi A3
• Buick Verano
• Chevrolet Malibu
• Chrysler 200
• Dodge Avenger
• Ford Fusion
• Honda Accord
• Hyundai Sonata
• Kia Optima
• Subaru Legacy and the Subaru Outback
• Toyota Camry and the Toyota Prius v
• Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen and the Volkswagen Passat
• Volvo C30

• Acura TL and the Acura TSX
• Audi A4
• BMW 3 series
• Lincoln MKZ
• Mercedes C class
• Volkswagen CC
• Volvo S60

• Buick LaCrosse and the Buick Regal
• Chrysler 300
• Dodge Charger
• Ford Taurus
• Hyundai Azera
• Toyota Avalon

• Audi A6
• BMW 5 series
• Cadillac CTS
• Hyundai Equus and the Hyundai Genesis
• Infiniti M37/M56
• Lincoln MKS
• Mercedes E class
• Saab 9-5
• Volvo S80

• Honda CR-V
• Hyundai Tucson
• Jeep Patriot
• Kia Sportage
• Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
• Subaru Forester
• Volkswagen Tiguan

• Chevrolet Equinox
• Dodge Durango and the Dodge Journey
• Ford Edge, Ford Explorer, and the Ford Flex
• GMC Terrain
• Honda Pilot
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Kia Sorento
• Subaru Tribeca
• Toyota Highlander and the Toyota Venza

• Acura MDX
• Audi Q5
• BMW X3
• Cadillac SRX
• Infiniti EX35
• Lexus RX
• Lincoln MKT and the Lincoln MKX
• Mercedes GLK and the Mercedes M class
• Saab 9-4X
• Volvo XC60 and the Volvo XC90

• Buick Enclave
• Chevrolet Traverse
• GMC Acadia
• Volkswagen Touareg

• Chrysler Town & Country
• Dodge Grand Caravan
• Honda Odyssey
• Toyota Sienna
• Volkswagen Routan

• Ford F-150
• Honda Ridgeline
• Toyota Tundra

In the market to buy a gently used car?

• Read: Buying A Used Car? Tips To Help You Avoid Buyer's Remorse

Car Safety in 2011: Top Safety Picks

MINICARs

• Ford Fiesta

• Chevrolet Cruze and the Chevrolet Volt
• Honda Civic
• Hyundai Elantra
• Kia Forte and the Kia Soul
• Lexus CT 200h
• Mazda 3
• Mini Cooper Countryman
• Mitsubishi Lancer
• Nissan Cube, Nissan Juke, and the Nissan Leaf
• Scion tC and the Scion xB
• Subaru Impreza
• Toyota Corolla and the Toyota Prius
• Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen GTI

• Audi A3
• Chevrolet Malibu
• Chrysler 200
• Dodge Avenger
• Ford Fusion
• Hyundai Sonata
• Kia Optima
• Subaru Legacy and the Subaru Outback
• Volkswagen Jetta and the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
• Volvo C30

• Audi A4
• Lincoln MKZ
• Mercedes C class
• Volkswagen C
• Volvo S60

• Buick LaCrosse and the Buick Regal
• Chrysler 300
• Dodge Charger
• Ford Taurus
• Toyota Avalon

• BMW 5 series
• Cadillac CTS
• Hyundai Equus and the Hyundai Genesis
• Infiniti M37/M56
• Lincoln MKS
• Mercedes E class
• Saab 9-5
• Volvo S80

• Hyundai Element and the Hyundai Tucson
• Jeep Patriot
• Kia Sportage
• Subaru Forester
• Volkswagen Tiguan

• Chevrolet Equinox
• Dodge Durango and the Dodge Journey
• Ford Edge, Ford Explorer and the Ford Flex
• GMC Terrain
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Kia Sorento
• Subaru Tribeca
• Toyota Highlander and the Toyota Venza

• Audi Q5
• Cadillac SRX
• Infiniti EX35
• Lexus RX
• Lincoln MKT and the Lincoln MKX
• Mercedes GLK
• Saab 9-4X
• Volvo XC60 and the Volvo XC90

• Buick Enclave
• Chevrolet Traverse
• GMC Acadia
• Volkswagen Touareg

• Honda Odyssey
• Toyota Sienna

• Ford F-150
• Toyota Tundra

In the market to buy a truck and looking for what's popular?

• Read: Top 10 Trucks In Canada

2010 models that won the Top Safety Pick award

SMALL CARs

• Honda Civic
• Kia Forte and the Kia Soul
• Mitsubishi Lancer
• Nissan Cube
• Scion xB
• Subaru Impreza
• Toyota Corolla
• Volkswagen Golf

• Audi A3 and the Audi A4
• Chevrolet Malibu
• Chrysler Sebring
• Dodge Avenger
• Ford Fusion
• Lincoln MKZ
• Mercedes C class
• Mercury Milan
• Subaru Legacy and the Subaru Outback
• Volkswagen Jetta and the Volkswagen Passat
• Volvo C30

• Buick LaCrosse
• Ford Taurus
• Hyundai Genesis
• Lincoln MKS
• Mercedes E class
• Volvo S80

• Hyundai Element and the Hyundai Tucson
• Jeep Patriot
• Subaru Forester
• Volkswagen Tiguan

• Audi Q5
• Cadillac SRX
• Chevrolet Equinox
• Dodge Journey
• Ford Flex
• GMC Terrain
• Lexus RX
• Lincoln MKT
• Subaru Tribeca
• Toyota Highlander and the Toyota Venza
• Volvo XC60 and the Volvo XC90

In the market to buy a car and look for what's popular?

• Read: Top 10 Cars In Canada

2009's Top Safety Pick winners

MINICARs

• Honda Fit

• Ford Focus
• Honda Civic
• Mitsubishi Lancer
• Scion xB
• Subaru Impreza
• Toyota Corolla
• Volkswagen Rabbit

• Acura TL and the Acura TSX
• Audi A3 and the Audi A4
• BMW 3 series
• Ford Fusion
• Honda Accord
• Mercedes C class
• Mercury Milan
• Saab 9-3
• Subaru Legacy
• Volkswagen CC, Volkswagen Jetta, and the Volkswagen Passat
• Volvo C30

• Saab 9-3
• Volkswagen Eos
• Volvo C70

• Acura RL
• Audi A6
• Cadillac CTS
• Ford Taurus
• Hyundai Genesis
• Lincoln MKS
• Mercury Sable
• Toyota Avalon
• Volvo S80

• Ford Escape
• Honda CR-V and the Honda Element
• Mazda Tribute
• Mercury Mariner
• Mitsubishi Outlander
• Nissan Rogue
• Subaru Forester
• Toyota RAV4
• Volkswagen Tiguan

• Acura MDX and the Acura RDX
• Audi Q5
• BMW X3 and the BMW X5
• Ford Edge, Ford Flex, and the Ford Taurus X
• Honda Pilot
• Hyundai Santa Fe and the Hyundai Veracruz
• Infiniti EX35
• Lincoln MKX
• Mercedes M class
• Nissan Murano
• Saturn VUE
• Subaru Tribeca
• Toyota FJ Cruiser, Toyota Highlander, and the Toyota Venza
• Volvo XC90

• Audi Q7
• Buick Enclave
• Chevrolet Traverse
• GMC Acadia
• Mercedes R class
• Saturn Outlook

• Honda Odyssey
• Kia Sedona

• Toyota Tacoma

• Ford F-150
• Honda Ridgeline
• Toyota Tundra

Looking for a car that will save you on gas?

• Read: Cars That Will Save You Gas Money