10 Hybrid Cars With 5 Star Safety Ratings

2017 Honda Accord Hybrid profile ・ Photo by Honda

Hybrid vehicles can be among the safest vehicles on the road. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests new vehicles for structural integrity and accident protection in three primary categories — front crash, side crash, and rollover — with a five-star rating system. Our list of 10 Hybrids with Five-Star Safety Ratings includes two vehicles that aced all three NHTSA tests. Each one of the vehicles on the list was also awarded an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award. While NHTSA has awarded five-stars to the non-hybrid versions of the Chrysler Pacifica, Chevrolet Malibu, and Volvo XC90, they have not published ratings on the hybrid versions, which is why we have not included them on this list.

2017 Honda Accord Hybrid

The 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid delivers a stunning combination of comfort, safety, and efficiency. NHTSA gives it a five-star rating overall, while it earns five stars in the side crash and rollover categories, but slips to four stars in the frontal crash test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Honda Accord a Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with optional front crash prevention and distinct headlights. The U.S. EPA rates the vehicle at 49 city/46 highway/48 combined miles per gallon. Pricing starts at $29,605, which includes the Honda Sensing safety suite as standard equipment, with active lane keep, adaptive cruise control, road departure mitigation, and a collision mitigation braking system.

Photo by Andy Bornhop

2017 Kia Optima Hybrid

The stylish 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid is one of the highest rated entries on our list of hybrids with a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, and a full five stars awarded in all categories. In addition, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Kia Optima a Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights. The U.S. EPA rates the 2017 Optima Hybrid at 39 city/46 highway/42 combined miles per gallon. The 2017 Optima Hybrid’s starting MSRP is $25,995, while the Optima Plug-In Hybrid starts at $35,210 (along with $4,919 federal tax rebate eligibility,) and an extensive warranty package makes the Optima Hybrid a solid choice for the long haul.

Photo by Kia

2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid

The 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid delivers a winning combination of efficiency, technology, comfort, and safety, with a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. It earns four stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests, and five stars in the side crash test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Ford Fusion a Top Safety Pick when equipped with optional front crash prevention. Advanced safety technology (including adaptive cruise with stop-and-go, pre-collision assist, and lane keep assist) is standard in the Hybrid Platinum and optional in the Hybrid SE and Titanium. The U.S. EPA rates the 2017 Fusion Hybrid at 43 city/41 highway/42 combined miles per gallon. The 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid starts at $25,295, while the plug-in Fusion Energi starts at $31,120 (with a federal tax rebate of $4,007.)

Photo by Ford

2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

The 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid offers elegance, efficiency, and strong safety ratings at the same $35,170 starting price as the conventional MKZ. NHTSA gives it a five-star rating overall while it earned a full five stars in the side crash test, but only four stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Lincoln MKZ a Top Safety Pick when equipped with optional front crash prevention. The U.S. EPA rates the 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid at 41 city/38 highway/40 combined miles per gallon, and with Lincoln touting “quiet luxury” over opulence, the MKZ Hybrid delivers.

Photo by Lincoln

2017 Chevrolet Volt

While the extended-range electric 2017 Chevrolet Volt is one of the more expensive entries on our list, it’s eligible for a generous $7,500 federal tax rebate and is among the highest rated vehicles on our list. NHTSA gives the 2017 Chevrolet Volt a five-star rating overall, with a full five stars awarded in all categories. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Chevrolet Volt a Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with optional front crash prevention. The U.S. EPA rates the 2017 Volt at 106 MPGe (mile per gallon equivalent), with a 53-mile full electric range, and 42 miles per gallon when running on gasoline. Pricing starts at $34,095 and with a modest commute and a home charging station, you'll rarely visit a gas station.

Photo by General Motors

2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

The 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a solid value backed by an exceptional warranty. NHTSA gives the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid a five-star rating overall, as it earned four stars in the rollover test, and five stars in the frontal and side crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Hyundai Sonata a Top Safety Pick when equipped with optional front crash prevention. The U.S. EPA rates the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid at 39 city/45 highway/42 combined miles per gallon. Basic pricing starts at $26,000, and the Sonata Plug-In Hybrid starts at $34,600 with eligibility for a $4,919 federal tax rebate.

Photo by Hyundai

2017 Toyota Prius Hybrid

The 2017 Toyota Prius is exceptionally fuel efficient and scores well in safety tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Toyota Prius a Top Safety Pick+ (only models built after August 2016,) and its fuel economy ratings are only exceeded by the Hyundai Ioniq. NHTSA gives the 2017 Toyota Prius Hybrid a five-star rating overall, with a full five stars in the side crash test, along with four stars in the frontal and rollover tests. The U.S. EPA rates the 2017 Prius at 45 city/50 highway/52 combined miles per gallon (MPG,) while the Prius Eco rates 58 city/53 highway/56 combined MPG. Starting price is $23,475 with the Toyota Safety Sense Suite provided as standard equipment, helping the 2017 Prius deliver a high level of value.

Photo by Toyota

2017 Lexus ES300H Hybrid

The 2017 Lexus ES300h is one of the most luxurious entries on our list. NHTSA gives the 2017 Lexus ES300H Hybrid a five-star rating overall, with four stars in the frontal and rollover tests, along with five stars in the side crash test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Lexus ES350 a Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with specific headlights. Starting at $41,820, the U.S. EPA rates the 2017 Lexus ES300H Hybrid at 40 city/39 highway/40 combined miles per gallon.

Photo by Lexus

2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

One of two SUVs on our list is the all-wheel-drive (AWD) 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. NHTSA gives the 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid a five-star rating overall, as it earned a full five stars in the side crash test, but only four stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Toyota RAV4 a Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with specific headlights. The U.S. EPA rates the AWD 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid at 34 city/30 highway/32 combined miles per gallon. If you need AWD with good fuel economy, with a starting price of $29,030, the RAV4 Hybrid is an excellent choice.

Photo by Toyota

2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Our second SUV on this list is also the largest, the four-wheel-drive (4WD) 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV, and the only entry with three rows of seating. NHTSA gives the SUV a five-star rating overall, earning a full five stars in the side crash test, and four stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Toyota Highlander a Top Safety Pick+, and the starting price is $36,270. The U.S. EPA rates the 4WD 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 30 city/28 highway/29 combined miles per gallon.

Photo by Toyota