Safest Sedans 2012
Automobiles today have more than just looks to compare. With safety gaining increasing focus in the consumer demand market, a car purchase is no longer a statement for luxury alone. Over the last few years, it has increased to comfort and safety too, with the consumer getting wiser, the checklist doesn't stop just at looks, the price, and mileage alone. Considering the elevated safety standards and requirements of the consumers today, car manufacturers are designing cars equally efficient when it comes to safety.
Talking about the market for sedans, it is the most in-demand family car, and has been ruling the roads thanks to its superb fuel efficiency. A keen vision on safety standards has been guarded by some of the top-selling car manufacturers. The ratings and reviews for the best-selling reliable sedans are compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and the best are picked by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The increased standards of crash tests have made safety the top priority in a car profile. If you plan to buy a sedan that is the most reliable for safety responsibilities, you might just want to know which ones have secured the highest points when it comes to safety.
Car Testing and Rating
Frontal Offset Test
This helps to test the strength and durability of the design and construction of the car, and how it fares in case of a head-on collision with another car of a similar weight.
Side Impact Test
This test helps to determine how well the car would withstand an impact when the collision is from the side.
Rollover Test
This test rates the car on the basis of how strong its roof is, and how it fares when the vehicle is subjected to a crushing force from the top.
Rear Crash Protection Test
How a vehicle fares when it is hit by another car of similar weight decides the score for this criterion.
With an eye for achieving safety standards that minimize accidental hazards, there has been a lot of competition, with every manufacturer making maximum efforts to design the safest car. These are not mentioned according to their ranks in order, but the list is a small effort to give you an idea of the safest cars on American roads, as per the tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The Safest Cars of America
Moderately Priced Cars
A list of some of the safest sedans of 2012 in the low to moderate price range.
| Make & Model | Safety Score | |||
| Front | Side | Rollover | Rear | |
| Buick Verano | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Chevrolet Malibu Eco (2013) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Chevrolet Malibu | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Dodge Avenger | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Ford Fusion | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Honda Accord | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Hyundai Sonata | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Kia Optima | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Subaru Legacy | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Toyota Camry | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Volkswagen Jetta Sedan | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Suzuki Kizashi | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Nissan Altima | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Mazda 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Mitsubishi Galant | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Nissan Maxima | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Ford Mustang 2 Door (2013) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Semi Luxury Cars
Some of the safest near luxury cars of 2012.
| Make & Model | Safety Score | |||
| Front | Side | Rollover | Rear | |
| Acura TL | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Audi A4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| BMW 3 Series | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Lincoln MKZ | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Mercedes C Class | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Volkswagen CC | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Volvo S60 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Lexus ES 350 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Saab 9-3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Lexus IS 250/350 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Infiniti G | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Lexus HS 250h | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
Large Family Cars
Spacious and safe, here's a list of some of the cars which are amongst the safest out this year to take the family around.
| Make & Model | Safety Score | |||
| Front | Side | Rollover | Rear | |
| Buick LaCrosse | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Buick Regal | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Dodge Charger Chrysler 300 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Ford Taurus (2013) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Hyundai Azera | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Toyota Avalon | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Chevrolet Impala | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Luxury Cars
Here's a look at the safety scores of the cars for the rich and the famous.
| Make & Model | Safety Score | |||
| Front | Side | Rollover | Rear | |
| Audi A6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| BMW 5 Series | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Cadillac CTS | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Hyundai Equus | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Hyundai Genesis | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Lexus GS (2013) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Lincoln MKS (2013) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Mercedes E Class 2-door | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Mercedes E Class 4-door | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Saab 9-5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Volvo S80 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Acura RL | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 |
With car manufacturers these days vesting a lot of time and effort in providing better safety features in their cars, the future promises to be one smooth and safe ride.
