New data from the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has shown that large crossovers, SUVs, and pickups remain the safest vehicles in real-world road accidents. The study is based on the number of driver fatalities per million registered vehicle-years and reflects statistics from actual accidents, not laboratory crash test results.
While experts previously noted that compact cars and powerful sports models remained the most dangerous in terms of driver fatalities, new statistics show the opposite picture. Among the 20 vehicles with the lowest fatality rates, 18 belong to the SUV segment.
According to IIHS, the high level of safety in such models is ensured by several factors. These include the vehicle's large mass, robust body structure, and modern passenger protection technologies.
Ten cars with the lowest driver fatality rates
Based on the study, the top ten included the following models:
10. Volkswagen Atlas 2WD
Driver fatality rate: 5 cases per million vehicle-years.
The front-wheel-drive Volkswagen Atlas rounds out the top ten safest cars. IIHS notes its robust body structure, designed specifically for large family crossovers.
9. Toyota RAV4 Prime 4WD
Driver fatality rate: 5.
The plug-in hybrid Toyota RAV4 Prime crossover showed one of the best results among mass-market cars. Its statistics are comparable to much more expensive premium models.
8. BMW X5 4WD
Driver fatality rate: 5.
The all-wheel-drive BMW X5 also ranked among the safest cars. According to the study, the model demonstrates a high level of protection due to its balanced body structure.
7. Porsche Macan 4WD
Driver fatality rate: 4.
The compact Porsche Macan crossover was the only representative of sports brands in the top ten. At the same time, the car combines dynamic characteristics with a very low driver fatality rate.
Cars with no registered driver fatalities
Six models deserve special attention, as they showed a zero driver fatality rate throughout the observation period.
The ranking included:
- Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4WD;
- Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class 2WD;
- Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class 4WD;
- Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD;
- BMW X7 4WD;
- Audi Q7 4WD.
6. Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4WD
The full-size pickup truck proved to be one of the safest vehicles in the study. Its large mass, body-on-frame construction, and robust steel frame ensured a complete absence of registered driver fatalities.
5. Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class 2WD
The rear-wheel-drive version of the Mercedes-Benz GLE also ranked among cars with zero fatalities. This result confirms the high level of protection traditionally characteristic of models from the German brand.
4. Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class 4WD
Despite its more compact size compared to most vehicles in the ranking, the GLB also demonstrated a perfect result. The study notes the use of high-strength steels and modern collision prevention systems.
3. Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD
The full-size SUV Chevrolet Tahoe became the only mass-market American car to be included in the group of models with zero driver fatalities. The body-on-frame construction and large mass of the vehicle played a significant role.
2. BMW X7 4WD
The flagship BMW X7 crossover proved to be one of the few cars that simultaneously showed very low fatality rates both among its own drivers and among occupants of other vehicles in multi-vehicle accidents. According to IIHS, the model effectively protects not only its passengers but also demonstrates a relatively low risk of severe consequences for other parties involved in a collision.
1. Audi Q7 4WD
Audi Q7 took first place. Throughout the observation period, researchers did not record a single driver fatality for this model.
The high result is ensured by a rigid body frame and developed crumple zones that effectively absorb impact energy.
What unites the rating leaders
Almost all cars in the top ten share similar design features.
These include:
- large size and high mass;
- modern body power structures;
- developed crumple zones;
- high level of passive and active safety.
According to IIHS, it is the combination of these factors that provides the best results in real-world road incidents.
However, this study is based solely on driver fatality statistics over a specific observation period and does not mean that the listed vehicles completely eliminate the risk of severe consequences in accidents. Safety is still significantly influenced by driving speed, seat belt use, road conditions, and the nature of the collision.
The US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) regularly provides important insights into real-world road safety. We have already discussed another study by this organization: IIHS, together with Consumer Reports, compiled a list of the best cars for young drivers — and there the picture was the opposite of the current one. The Institute specifically excluded large pickups and heavy SUVs from recommendations for beginners, as they are more difficult to control without experience. Thus, the same class of cars, leading in driver survival statistics, is not a universal solution for every situation.
It is noteworthy that IIHS data also touches upon a broader context. In the article about the danger of believing in all-wheel drive, we cited the institute's conclusions that all-wheel-drive cars are involved in winter accidents no less, and sometimes more often, than front-wheel-drive cars — due to a false sense of security among drivers. This reminds us that accident fatality statistics and the risk of being in an accident are different values that should not be confused.