Only a select number of sedans earn the NHTSA's top 5-star overall rating each year. Here are all 25 from 2026.
Powered by a 2.0L inline-4 producing 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. It takes the top spot with the highest NHTSA rating of 5/5 — well above the segment average of 5/5. That's better than 99% of sedans.
Powered by a 1.5L turbocharged inline-4 producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 98% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.0L flat-4 producing 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 97% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.0L inline-4 producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 96% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.5L, inline-4 producing 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 94% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.0L, inline-4 producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 93% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.0L inline-4 producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 92% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.5L, inline-4 producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 91% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.5L inline-4 producing 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 90% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.5L inline-4 producing 225 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 89% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.0L inline-4 producing 196 horsepower and 139 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 88% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.5L, inline-4 producing 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 87% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.5L, turbo, inline-4 producing 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 85% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 producing 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 84% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.4L turbocharged flat-4 producing 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 83% of sedans.
Powered by a 1.5L, turbo, inline-4 producing 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 82% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 producing 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 81% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.0L, turbo, inline-4 producing 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 80% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.0L, turbo, inline-4 producing 201 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 79% of sedans.
Powered by an electric powertrain producing 283 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque, with 272 miles of range. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 78% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.0L, turbo, inline-4 producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 76% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.0L, turbo, inline-4 producing 241 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 75% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.0L, turbo, inline-4 producing 241 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 74% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.0L, turbo, inline-4 producing 241 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 73% of sedans.
Powered by a 2.5L, turbo, inline-4 producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 72% of sedans.
Full Comparison: Safest Sedans with 5-Star NHTSA Rating in 2026
| # | Sedan | NHTSA Rating | Price | HP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2026 Toyota Corolla | 5/5 | $23,145 | 169 hp |
| 2 | 2026 Volkswagen Jetta | 5/5 | $23,295 | 158 hp |
| 3 | 2026 Subaru Impreza | 5/5 | $23,500 | 152 hp |
| 4 | 2026 Kia K4 | 5/5 | $23,990 | 147 hp |
| 5 | 2026 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan | 5/5 | $24,170 | 191 hp |
| 6 | 2026 Hyundai Elantra | 5/5 | $24,480 | 147 hp |
| 7 | 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback | 5/5 | $27,000 | 147 hp |
| 8 | 2026 Hyundai Sonata | 5/5 | $27,450 | 191 hp |
| 9 | 2026 Nissan Altima | 5/5 | $29,080 | 182 hp |
| 10 | 2026 Toyota Camry | 5/5 | $29,495 | 225 hp |
| 11 | 2026 Toyota Prius | 5/5 | $29,945 | 196 hp |
| 12 | 2026 Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback | 5/5 | $30,460 | 191 hp |
| 13 | 2026 Mazda Mazda3 | 5/5 | $33,150 | 250 hp |
| 14 | 2026 Volkswagen Golf GTI | 5/5 | $33,190 | 241 hp |
| 15 | 2026 Subaru WRX | 5/5 | $33,235 | 271 hp |
| 16 | 2026 Acura Integra | 5/5 | $33,500 | 200 hp |
| 17 | 2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI | 5/5 | $34,500 | 228 hp |
| 18 | 2026 Cadillac CT4 | 5/5 | $35,690 | 237 hp |
| 19 | 2026 Audi A3 | 5/5 | $37,800 | 201 hp |
| 20 | 2026 Tesla Model 3 | 5/5 | $38,990 | 283 hp |
| 21 | 2026 BMW 2 Series | 5/5 | $40,300 | 255 hp |
| 22 | 2026 BMW 228 Gran Coupe | 5/5 | $40,950 | 241 hp |
| 23 | 2026 Lexus IS | 5/5 | $42,000 | 241 hp |
| 24 | 2026 BMW 228 xDrive Gran Coupe | 5/5 | $42,950 | 241 hp |
| 25 | 2026 Genesis G70 | 5/5 | $43,250 | 300 hp |
The Bottom Line
The 2026 Toyota Corolla takes the top spot with 5/5. The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta is a close second. All 25 sedans listed here exceed the 2026 segment average of 5/5.