Safest Hybrid Cars for 2024
The safest used and new hybrid cars are ranked based on our analysis of the crash tests and safety ratings from the U.S. government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
iSeeCars has ranked 20 hybrid cars based on their safety scores from the NHTSA and IIHS. Using this scoring method the safest hybrid car is the Toyota Prius hatchback hybrid with a perfect 10 out of 10 score. The first 16 of 25 hybrid cars receive a perfect 10 out of 10 score, confirming these models also score well in safety testing. An additional 2 hybrid cars score a 9.0 or higher, demonstrating that these models also score relatively well in safety testing.
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). When two or more vehicles have the same safety score they are then ranked by their overall quality score, as shown below. Vehicles without any NHTSA or IIHS test data are not ranked. We have also listed standard and available safety technology for each model below.
Buyers seeking a hybrid vehicle are probably thinking more about fuel economy than safety. And given a hybrid’s powertrain, which combines an electric motor with an engine to boost fuel efficiency, that’s a reasonable approach. But whether you’re buying a new car or a used hybrid model, safety should also be a primary point of consideration.
If a hybrid car isn’t large enough to meet your needs, automakers are also launching more hybrid vehicles every year, with popular SUVs like the BMW X5, Hyundai Tucson and Sportage, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid examples of high-volume cars now offered with as plug-in hybrids. Much like electric cars, these models offer an all-electric range of between 20 and 60 miles.
Buyers seeking better fuel economy without the need to plug should consider standard hybrid SUVs with all-wheel-drive (AWD), like the Honda CR-V and Toyota Highlander Hybrid, or luxury SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GLC and Lexus NX. Expect even more hybrid models to choose from in the coming years.
Buyers seeking a hybrid vehicle are probably thinking more about fuel economy than safety. And given a hybrid’s powertrain, which combines an electric motor with an engine to boost fuel efficiency, that’s a reasonable approach. But whether you’re buying a new car or a used hybrid model, safety should also be a primary point of consideration.
If a hybrid car isn’t large enough to meet your needs, automakers are also launching more hybrid vehicles every year, with popular SUVs like the BMW X5, Hyundai Tucson and Sportage, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid examples of high-volume cars now offered with as plug-in hybrids. Much like electric cars, these models offer an all-electric range of between 20 and 60 miles.
Buyers seeking better fuel economy without the need to plug should consider standard hybrid SUVs with all-wheel-drive (AWD), like the Honda CR-V and Toyota Highlander Hybrid, or luxury SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GLC and Lexus NX. Expect even more hybrid models to choose from in the coming years.
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Safety score
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
8.9
/ 10
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Value Retention
8.6
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
-
Safety score
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
8.9
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.2
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
3. Ford Fusion (hybrid)
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Safety score
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
8.2
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.6
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
-
Safety score
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.9
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.7
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
-
Safety score
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.4
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.2
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
6. Kia Optima Hybrid
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Safety score
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.9
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.6
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
7. Toyota Avalon Hybrid
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Safety score
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.8
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.7
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
8. Ford Fusion Hybrid
-
Safety score
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.6
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.4
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
9. Ford Fusion Energi
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Safety score
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.1
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.3
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
-
Safety score
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
5.7
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.6
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
11. Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
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Safety score
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
6.1
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.5
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
12. Honda Insight
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Safety score
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
8.4
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
-
Safety score
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
8.4
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
-
Safety score
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
8.1
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
15. Chevrolet Volt
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Safety score
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
8.0
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.5
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
-
Safety score
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
8.1
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.4
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
17. Chevrolet Malibu (hybrid)
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Safety score
9.5
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.1
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.5
/ 10
-
Safety
9.5
/ 10
-
Safety score
9.0
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
8.0
/ 10
-
Safety
9.0
/ 10
19. Toyota Prius c
-
Safety score
8.0
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
8.7
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.8
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
-
Safety score
8.0
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.8
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
Hyundai IONIQ Plug-in Hybrid
-
Safety score
Not Available
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.2
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.0
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid
-
Safety score
Not Available
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
5.9
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.0
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid
-
Safety score
Not Available
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.8
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
Hyundai SONATA Plug-in Hybrid
-
Safety score
Not Available
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.9
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.7
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid
-
Safety score
Not Available
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.8
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.6
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
Related Rankings
How We Rank These Cars
The iSeeCars “Safest Car” lists rank cars, trucks and SUVs based on our analysis of the crash tests and safety ratings from the U.S. government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Along with the Safety scores, the lists show additional iSeeCars scores because we believe other factors should be taken into account to find the best overall vehicle. If there is a tie in the Safety scores between vehicles, we use the overall iSeeCars Score to break the tie.
The overall iSeeCars Score is an analysis of three factors: reliability, resale value and safety. It is calculated based on the latest research and analysis by our data science team. The data analysis comes from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with NHTSA and IIHS Safety Ratings.
Vehicles are scored in three categories:
Reliability
The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.
Value Retention
The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.
Safety
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).