Current modelsSmall cars

About the awards and ratings

• To qualify for 2021 TOP SAFETY PICK, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the driver-side and passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests. It also must earn an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention (both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian) and an acceptable or good headlight rating.
• To qualify for 2021 TOP SAFETY PICK+, a vehicle must meet the same criteria, but acceptable- or good-rated headlights must come standard across all trim levels.
• The driver-side small overlap front rating is based on a 40 mph crash test in which 25 percent of the vehicle's width on the left side strikes a rigid barrier.
• The passenger-side small overlap front rating is based on a 40 mph crash test in which 25 percent of the vehicle's width on the right side strikes a rigid barrier.
• The moderate overlap front rating is based on a 40 mph crash test in which 40 percent of the vehicle's width strikes a deformable barrier.
• The side rating is based on a crash test in which an SUV-like barrier strikes the driver side of the vehicle at 31 mph. Except where noted, models have a standard complement of side airbags, generally consisting of front and rear curtain airbags to protect the head and front seat-mounted airbags to protect the torso.
• The roof strength rating is based on a test in which a metal plate is pushed against one side of the vehicle's roof at a slow, constant speed.
• The head restraints & seats rating is based on a sled test of the vehicle's seat and head restraint. This rating only applies to the specific seat/head restraint combination tested, indicated on the vehicle details page.
• The front crash prevention (vehicle-to-vehicle) rating is based on autobraking performance in tests at 12 mph and 25 mph, using a stationary target representing the back of the car, and on availability of a forward collision warning system meeting government performance criteria.
• The front crash prevention (vehicle-to-pedestrian) rating is based on three tests involving dummies that move across or stand in the roadway. Two of the tests are conducted at 12 mph and 25 mph, while the third is conducted at 25 mph and 37 mph.
• The headlight rating is based on the illumination provided by a vehicle's headlights on straight roads and curves. Each rating applies to a specific headlight type.
• The child seat anchors (LATCH) rating is based on an ease-of-use evaluation of vehicle hardware for installing child restraints. This rating only applies to the specific trim level and seat type evaluated, indicated on the vehicle details page.

Small overlap front, moderate overlap front and head restraint ratings should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight. Side, roof strength, front crash prevention, headlights and LATCH ratings can be compared across vehicle categories.