What It Takes to Score HigherBrands tend to rank well when more of their vehicles:Perform strongly in emergency braking and handlingInclude key driver-assistance features as standard equipment across trimsEarn strong marks in major crash testsUse controls and infotainment layouts that are easy to operate without pulling your eyes off the road10) Kia9) SubaruConsumer Reports’ new Safety Verdict is designed to make safety shopping simpler. Instead of focusing only on crash-test results, it rolls multiple factors into one easy score—how well a vehicle helps you avoid a crash in the first place, and how well it protects you if one happens. We’re using CR’s brand-level results to spotlight the Best 10 automakers based on how much of each lineup earns CR’s highest Safety Verdict ratings. Be sure to check out our list of the Bottom 10 automakers as well. What “Safety Verdict” Measures CR’s system groups vehicles into three tiers: Basic : Meets federal safety requirements, but may lack safety features that should be standard, or fall short in other areas CR evaluates. Better : Adds stronger performance in CR’s braking/handling evaluations and includes certain safety tech—though some items may not be standard or may vary by model/trim. Best : The strongest overall mix—excellent crash-test performance, s...8) Audi7) Nissan6) Honda5) Hyundai4) Lincoln3) Acura2) Genesis1) Mazda