Small Cars Dominate Rankings for Highest Fatal Crash Risk
Automotive safety has made significant strides over the past two decades, but recent data shows a troubling trend of rising car accident and fatality rates. While human error (e.g., distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving) is the leading cause of car accidents, the types of vehicles involved can also be a contributing factor.
A recent study by iSeeCars.com analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, examining model year 2018-2022 vehicles involved in crashes that resulted in at least one occupant fatality. The study highlights which cars pose the highest risks on U.S. roads today. For example, the car brands with the highest fatal crash rates include:
- Tesla – 5.6 fatalities per billion vehicle miles
- Kia – 5.5
- Buick – 4.8
- Dodge – 4.4
- Hyundai – 3.9
- Overall Average – 2.8
According to Karl Brauer, iSeeCars Executive Analyst, cars have never been as safe as they are today. "Between advanced chassis design, driver assist technology, and an array of airbags surrounding the driver, today’s car models provide excellent occupant protection. But these safety features are being countered by distracted driving and higher rates of speed, leading to rising accident and death rates in recent years," Brauer said.
Which vehicles have the highest fatal car accident rates?
iSeeCars identified vehicles with fatal car accident rates at least twice the average, with the five deadliest models exceeding four times the average. The Hyundai Venue, Chevrolet Corvette, and Mitsubishi Mirage top the list as the most dangerous cars on U.S. roads, based on fatal crashes per mile driven. Rounding out the top 10 are the Porsche 911, Honda CR-V Hybrid, Tesla Model Y, Mitsubishi Mirage G4, Buick Encore, Kia Forte, and Buick Envision, with fatal crash rates ranging from 2.8 to 4.9 times the average.
Small cars and performance vehicles dominate the list, along with certain SUVs with a higher risk of rollovers due to their taller profiles. Large vehicles such as the Ford Bronco and Dodge Charger also have fatal accident rates more than twice the overall average and 1.5 times the small car average.
Why do small cars have such a high fatal crash rate?
Small cars have the highest fatal accident rate among vehicle sizes, while midsize and full-size cars fall below average. Despite advancements in engineering and safety technology, smaller vehicles remain disadvantaged in crashes involving larger cars due to their reduced size and weight. The iSeeCars study shows that the fatal collision rate for small cars, including subcompact and compact models, stands at 3.6 fatalities per billion vehicle miles. This is much higher than the overall average of 2.8. Midsize cars have a lower fatal accident rate of 2.5, while full-size vehicles have the lowest rate at 2.0.
Despite the steel frames and airbags, physics is a difficult factor to overcome, according to Brauer. "When two small cars collide, the forces are equalized, and both vehicles tend to hold up well. But if a compact hatchback and a full-size pickup truck try to occupy the same space at the same time, the smaller car always loses."
What makes SUVs and trucks so dangerous?
SUVs are often considered safer because of their larger size and higher seating position, giving drivers a better view of the road. But that design has a downside: SUVs have a higher center of gravity, making them more likely to roll over in a crash. And when a vehicle rolls, the risk of a fatal crash increases dramatically. While smaller SUVs tend to have the highest fatal accident rates, some larger models, such as the Ford Bronco and Mercedes-Benz G-Class, stand out. Both have fatal crash rates more than double the SUV average (2.2) and well above the small vehicle rate (3.6).
Trucks share similar advantages with SUVs, including their size, weight, and higher seating position, which can help protect occupants in a collision. However, when it comes to fatal collisions, full-size trucks generally have better safety records than midsize models. While these bigger vehicles often offer better protection in some crashes, design and handling still play a huge role in overall safety.
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