Consumer Reports’ new safety verdict singles out the new cars it determines to be the best at preventing crashes or protecting occupants if a crash occurs. The verdict has three ratings: Basic, Better and Best.
Mazda topped all other brands with the highest percentage.
The key components of the safety verdict are automatic emergency braking, including at highway speeds, blind-spot warning, rear cross traffic warning, and AEB with pedestrian detection before a potential collision.
“A safe car has predictable handling and braking in everyday driving and emergencies, controls that don’t distract you, technology that can prevent a crash in the first place, and a design that protects occupants if a crash occurs,” says Emily A. Thomas, associate director of auto safety at Consumer Reports.
“The safety verdict rating, now available for free on all new-car model pages at CR.org/cars, makes it simple for car owners and shoppers to understand the level of safety a car provides.”
To receive a Basic score, vehicles must meet the federal motor vehicle safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
To receive a Better score, vehicles must have automatic emergency brakes that can predict pedestrians as a standard across all trims, a curb weight over 2,500 pounds, front-wheel or all-wheel drive, and certain Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ratings, if applicable.
To receive the Best score, vehicles must have good usability that doesn’t distract the driver, automatic braking, blind-spot warnings and rear cross-traffic warnings, as well as certain IIHS ratings, if applicable.
