Popular Cars and SUVs to Avoid and Safer Choices to Buy Instead

In this analysis, we used Consumer Reports’ new safety verdict to compare vehicles. The single score includes crash test results, braking and handling performance in Consumer Reports’ testing, what proven crash-prevention technology comes as standard equipment, and whether the controls are distracting.

We took five popular vehicles that got the lowest Basic score in our safety verdict evaluation. Then, we found safer choices that earned the highest Best score in our safety verdict evaluation.

A Best score means they: 
• Got average-or-above scores in Consumer Reports’ own tests of routine handling, emergency handling, and braking distance. 
• Don’t have the lowest usability rating in Consumer Reports’ evaluation of controls and infotainment systems.
• Excelled in the latest Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests.
• Come standard with automatic emergency braking that is highway-speed capable and has pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic warning.

Below are five popular vehicles, and five safer choices. Consumer Reports members can click on the model names to see our exclusive road test and reliability data, and whether a vehicle is CR Recommended. Recommended vehicles must excel in owner satisfaction, road tests, and reliability, among other factors.

All the cars listed below have met federal safety standards, but our Best choices offer additional crash prevention and protection that Basic models do not.