2025 Ford Mustang CoupeFirst on the list is the 2025 Ford Mustang Coupe. The Mustang has always been about performance, style, and attitude, and the 2025 model keeps that tradition alive. It brings sharper looks, a more digital cabin, and engine options that still pack a punch. Whether you're in the turbo four-cylinder or the V8, it's built to thrill. But beneath all that performance, safety isn't exactly its strong suit.It got a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, but even so, there are still weak spots in the details. Rear side-impact protection drops to four stars, and rollover risk comes in at 7.9%. Over at IIHS, the Mustang earned a "Marginal" rating in the structure and safety cage category. That means weaker lower body protection and clear signs of structural strain. Backseat child seats aren't much better off; LATCH access was rated "Marginal."Yes, it comes with forward collision warning and crash-imminent braking, but the rest of the tech — like lane keeping and adaptive cruise — is often left off unless you pay for it. For a car that appeals to younger, performance-focused drivers, that's a gap worth noting. 2025 Chevrolet MalibuThe 2025 Chevrolet Malibu goes out quietly, ending nearly six decades of Chevy sedan history. With Chevrolet shifting focus towards EVs, this final model doesn't really bring much, especially when it comes to safety. Sure, it comes standard with basics like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane departure alert, and it even pulls a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. But in today's market, those are essentially the bare minimum. While its crash-imminent braking only meets standards on higher trims, its dynamic brake support doesn't meet them at all. The bigger concern is what happens in a crash. In the updated IIHS testing, the Malibu stumbled in several key areas. Side-impact protection was rated "Poor," and its structural cage also didn't hold up. The front crash pedestrian test was flagged "Poor," and the driver's injury risks to the head and neck ended up the same. Adding to that, rear-seat and driver protection earned only marginal marks for head safety in the updated side-impact tests. Even the smaller safety details fell short. Headlights and child seat anchors scored "Marginal," and LATCH usability followed suit. For midsize sedan shoppers who prioritize safety, there are better alternatives out there.