The Numbers Don't Sugarcoat
You'd think a car that looks sharp would keep you safe, right? Nope, not always. Fatal crash reports show which cars are risky, and the results might surprise you more than the shiny ads do.
25. Honda CR-V Hybrid
The CR-V Hybrid wears a reliable badge, which is weird because it ranks fifth among the deadliest by iSeeCars. It shows a fatal crash rate nearly 4.6 times the average, or 13.2 deaths per billion miles. Extra weight helps in frontal crashes, but side impacts have weaker protection.
Alexander-93, Wikimedia Commons
24. Tesla Model Y
If you think of a car with top crash test marks but still leading in fatal crashes, you'll land with the Model Y. Its rate sits at 10.6 deaths per billion miles. Many tragedies stem from fast lane changes or drivers leaning too heavily on Autopilot systems.
Alexander-93, Wikimedia Commons
23. Porsche 911
A sports car icon comes with hidden danger. The 911 posts a fatal crash rate about 5 times higher than the average. With the engine placed in the back, sharp turns can turn deadly. And most frequently, younger drivers on clear roads appear in these statistics.
I Bought A $6,000 Porsche 911! by ScrapLife Garage
22. Chevrolet Corvette
Few cars scream speed like a Corvette, and that thrill carries risks. Second in fatal crash rankings, it sits at nearly five times the norm. Many accidents unfold at night or during solo loss-of-control events. Plus, older versions without stability control only sharpen that danger.
Michael Gil from Toronto, ON, Canada, Wikimedia Commons
21. Hyundai Venue
The Hyundai Venue, says iSeeCars, tops the fatal crash charts at nearly 4.9 times the average. Tiny crumple zones barely absorb impact, intersections prove unforgiving, and with younger owners behind the wheel, the risks climb faster than the speedometer needle.
20. Nissan Versa
Numbers first: the Nissan Versa shows 96 deaths per million vehicle years. Intersection crashes remain common in city driving, where small cars are most exposed. Older trims lacked side airbags and stability control, which left many younger drivers, often its buyers, with reduced protection in serious accidents.
19. Kia Forte
iSeeCars shows the Kia Forte's fatal crash rate soaring more than four times the average. College-age drivers behind the wheel push those numbers higher, and passenger-side overlap scores collapse. To top it off, older trims skipped important safety features that left protection disappointingly thin.
The number 3, Wikimedia Commons
18. Buick Envision
Side impacts during left turns give the Buick Envision a grim spotlight, while older trims missing modern alerts only deepen the risks. Marketed as premium, it still shows a fatal crash rate nearly 2.8 to 4.9 times the average, firmly placing it on the danger chart.
Mr.choppers, Wikimedia Commons
17. Dodge Charger
Big on swagger, the Dodge Charger also carries big baggage. Crash data shows wet-road rear-wheel slides, mixed crash ratings, and risky late-night runs by younger drivers. Its fatality rate sits uncomfortably high, proof that not all muscle cars age gracefully on the road.
BigNigFries, Wikimedia Commons
16. Chevrolet Camaro Coupe
The Camaro Coupe shows flair up front but carries danger underneath. Crash data tells of frequent single-car high-speed wrecks. Blind spots at the back make lane shifts risky. On top of that, early trims lacked traction control, and crash tests reveal critical structural gaps.
MercurySable99, Wikimedia Commons
15. Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
Stylish with the roof down, the Camaro Convertible also proves deadly. Rollover accidents explain why it outpaces the coupe in fatal crashes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) roof scores were “Good,” but the structure is weaker without coupe bracing. Its side-impact safety has never been rated independently, either.
14. Dodge Charger HEMI
IIHS roof strength ratings for the Charger HEMI are “Good,” too, but small overlap tests reveal moderate intrusion and lower leg injury risks. Fatal crash data ranks this one higher than the base trim. So, when performance-focused drivers push limits, the balance tips, and fun quickly turns into structural vulnerability.
13. Nissan Altima
Crash numbers climb for the Altima partly because rental fleets drive them constantly. Front scores in tests look good, yet back seats tell a weaker story. Without blind spot monitoring in older versions, accidents kept piling up, which leaves its family-car image under pressure.
SsmIntrigue, Wikimedia Commons
12. Chevrolet Malibu
At intersections, the Malibu's weaknesses shine through, especially during T-bone crashes. Fatality numbers climb beyond the midsize norm. Emergency aids missing in older versions, combined with poor upkeep, widen the gap between real driving outcomes and the comfort offered by test track ratings.
Alexander-93, Wikimedia Commons
11. Chrysler 300
On paper, the Chrysler 300 is squeaky clean. In real life, it shows up on news channels. The car’s rear-wheel drive proves dicey on frozen roads. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded five stars for side crashes, but IIHS still relies on outdated protocols.
10. Hyundai Elantra
Urban streets tell the Elantra's story, with crashes piling up in city collisions and side impacts. Many accidents (many by younger distracted drivers) follow left-turn mistakes or red-light runs. Tests show strong front safety but weaker rear protection, and older versions even lacked pedestrian detection.
order_242 from Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
9. Chevrolet Sonic
The Sonic faltered badly in crash records. Rear-end accidents on highways were too much for its light frame. Early models earned Good ratings in original side-impact tests, but newer protocols may expose weaknesses. Missing driver-assist tech in older trims raised the danger even more.
8. Kia Rio
Fatal crash data lists the Kia Rio with 122 deaths per million vehicle years. Reports frequently mention late-night crashes and intersection mistakes, which is not a surprise because their safety tests also showed weak overlap scores. Since early models skipped stability control, the light frame left passengers with little protection in multi-car collisions.
M 93 (talk) 13:33, 20 January 2009 (UTC), Wikimedia Commons
7. Chevrolet Spark
IIHS rated the Spark’s roof strength as “Good” and side-impact performance also as “Good” under older protocols. However, small overlap frontal tests showed “Marginal” results with “Poor” airbag coverage and structural intrusion. Records also noted head-on crashes with larger vehicles, which resulted in 151 deaths per million vehicle years.
Peter Broster, Wikimedia Commons
6. Ford Fiesta
Early Fiesta trims skipped curtain airbags and stability control, leaving drivers with fewer protections. Tests confirmed structural weaknesses in small overlap crashes, and reports identified side impacts as a key cause of injuries. Its small body transferred more crash energy to passengers by helping explain its higher fatality numbers.
Dinkun Chen, Wikimedia Commons
5. Chevrolet Aveo
Crash history has not been kind to the Chevrolet Aveo. Reports detail fatal frontal wrecks with larger vehicles. IIHS flagged weak roof and side protection. Models built between 2009 and 2011 included front-seat side airbags but lacked curtain airbags, leaving this budget car vulnerable.
4. Ford EcoSport
The EcoSport tells a rough tale on rural roads. Its tall body and narrow wheelbase make sharp maneuvers super tricky. NHTSA rollover ratings sit at four stars, which shows moderate risk, but no data confirms frequent rollovers. IIHS has given weak marks in passenger-side overlap tests, too.
Robert Basic from Germany, Wikimedia Commons
3. Chevrolet Trax
Budget trims of the Trax looked tempting, though buyers didn’t always get key alerts for lane changes or blind spots. Fatal crash reports highlight the cost of this omission. IIHS graded its side crashes “Good” initially, then slid it down to “Acceptable” in updates.
2. Mitsubishi Mirage Hatchback
Promises of affordability quickly crumble when a weak frame can’t keep up. Riding the Mirage Hatchback is like shaking hands with the reaper: IIHS counts 183 deaths per million years. With “Marginal” small overlap scores, the Mirage’s cabin crumples under pressure and makes survival feel like luck.
Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback 2013 review - CarBuyer by Carbuyer
1. Mitsubishi Mirage G4
This sedan shouts “bargain”, but whispers danger. IIHS records 205 deaths per million drivers, the highest in its class. Crash tests refuse to improve, with “Moderate” front impacts proving to be devastating. Its fragile frame ensures that every seemingly cheap price carries a dangerously high cost.
Ethan Llamas, Wikimedia Commons
