How to Read Car Safety Ratings Without Guesswork

Vehicle safety ratings generally cover two distinct areas. Crashworthiness describes how well a vehicle protects occupants in a crash test. Crash avoidance looks at technologies intended to help prevent a crash or reduce its severity, such as automatic emergency braking.

Both matter, but a strong result in one area does not automatically mean a vehicle performs equally well in every other test. Look beyond an overall star rating or award and review the individual results that matter to your household. For example, you might pay particular attention to side-impact protection or pedestrian crash-prevention testing.

Ratings support a purchase decision; they cannot guarantee protection in every crash. Real-world outcomes depend on circumstances that no set of tests can fully reproduce, as well as factors such as seat belt use and vehicle maintenance.

NHTSA and IIHS use different tests and rating systems, so consult both for a broader picture. Review NHTSA’s overall and individual crash-test ratings and rollover results. For IIHS, look at individual crashworthiness and crash-avoidance results, along with any applicable award criteria.

Tests and award requirements can change. Understand an award under the standards used for its year, and consult current results for each vehicle on your shortlist.

Start with the exact model year and body style. Similarly named sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs may have different results, and a redesign can make an earlier rating less useful. Read the notes accompanying each result to see which vehicles and equipment it covers.

Confirm the trim and features on the specific car. A crash-avoidance system may be standard on one version and optional or unavailable on another. The vehicle you buy needs the equipment covered by the relevant result.

When comparing frontal crash-test ratings, focus especially on vehicles of similar size and weight. A test result is not a simple prediction of how differently sized vehicles would fare in a collision with each other.

Our Read Safety Ratings Without Guesswork ebook is a guide for shoppers who want help understanding car safety ratings. Use it alongside current NHTSA and IIHS results as you compare the vehicles on your shortlist.

For a practical comparison, write down each vehicle’s model year, body style, relevant test results, and available safety equipment. Note any missing test results rather than assuming an untested vehicle performed poorly or well. Then use your notes to prepare questions for the seller and focus your test drives.

If you are also planning other household purchases, our Smart Budget Upgrades That Boost Resale Value ebook covers a separate decision: prioritizing home improvements.

Find the vehicle identification number (VIN) and use the NHTSA recall lookup to check for open safety recalls. Confirm that any outstanding recalls are addressed before you complete your purchase.

During a test drive, assess visibility, seating position, controls and how comfortably you can operate the vehicle. If you use child seats, check whether they fit securely in the seating positions you need and whether you can install and use them as directed.