Safest Cars 2025: NHTSA Unveils Vehicle Safety Testing Program

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has officially announced the vehicles slated for evaluation under its rigorous 5-Star Safety Ratings program for the 2025 model year, a crucial step for consumers seeking the Safest Cars 2025. This initiative continues NHTSA’s commitment to empowering car buyers with comprehensive safety information, influencing purchasing decisions and encouraging automakers to prioritize vehicle safety.

This year’s selection includes a diverse range of 37 vehicles, strategically chosen to represent approximately 87% of all new vehicles entering the market. This extensive coverage ensures that consumers have safety ratings for the vast majority of choices available to them. Notably, the 2025 testing program will also evaluate eight electric and hybrid models, reflecting the growing market share of these vehicle types. These vehicles will undergo thorough assessments in various simulated crash scenarios, including frontal, side, and rollover collisions, providing a well-rounded view of their crashworthiness.

Beyond traditional crash testing, NHTSA is also focusing on advanced driver assistance systems, critical components of modern vehicle safety. Five vehicles have been designated for verification testing of specific technologies such as lane departure warning, forward collision warning, crash imminent braking, and dynamic brake support. These evaluations are designed to confirm the real-world effectiveness of these increasingly common safety features.

“NHTSA is dedicated to equipping the public with the most dependable and current safety information, enabling informed decisions when choosing a vehicle,” stated NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman. “The 5-Star Safety Ratings program serves as a powerful motivator for automakers to integrate cutting-edge safety technologies across their vehicle lineups. This, in turn, contributes significantly to saving lives and mitigating injuries on our nation’s roadways.”

The results of these stringent tests will be translated into the familiar 5-star rating system, where five stars represent the highest level of safety and one star the lowest. These ratings will be publicly accessible on the NHTSA website (NHTSA.gov/Ratings) and conveniently displayed on the window stickers of new vehicles upon completion of testing. NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program directly supports the Department of Transportation’s broader National Roadway Safety Strategy, a comprehensive national effort aimed at drastically reducing serious injuries and fatalities on all roads.

2025 Model Year Vehicles for 5-Star Safety Ratings

Key: SUV – Sport Utility Vehicle, PU – Pickup, CC – Crew Cab, EC – Extended Cab, PV – Passenger Van, 4 DR – Four Door

2025 Model Year Vehicles for Advanced Crash Avoidance Technology Verification

Key: SUV – Sport Utility Vehicle, 4 DR – Four Door

For consumers prioritizing safety when choosing their next vehicle, NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings program is an invaluable resource. As the testing progresses and ratings are released, this information will be critical in identifying the safest cars 2025 and making informed decisions to protect themselves and their families on the road.