Consumer Reports' Safety Verdict rating for 2026: top safe models
Consumer Reports has introduced a new car safety rating system called Safety Verdict. For the first time, it combines a vehicle's on-road behavior, IIHS crash test results, and the mandatory inclusion of key driver-assist features across all trim levels. The rating is divided into three categories: Basic, Better, and Best. Only models that deliver safety comprehensively, rather than excelling in just one area, earn the top score.
CR experts emphasize that a car must not only withstand a crash well but also be capable of avoiding one altogether. Consequently, only models equipped with standard high-speed automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning qualify for the highest category. User-friendly ergonomics also play a crucial role; if a driver is forced to navigate a confusing menu system, the car automatically loses its chance at a "Best" rating.
The list of the safest models for 2026 includes vehicles from Honda, Ford, BMW, Toyota, and other brands that have already implemented the full suite of assists and earned high marks for handling. The leader, however, is the Subaru Forester. CR specifically notes that large SUVs and pickup trucks are absent from the ranking, as heavier vehicles tend to have longer braking distances and are less effective at evading obstacles. Most modern Volvo models also failed to make the top category, with the reason cited as overly complicated controls via touchscreens.
Consumer Reports supplemented its safety rating publication with fresh analysis on brand reliability. In the final 2026 ranking, Mazda, Genesis, and Acura emerged as leaders. For these brands, the proportion of vehicles with high predicted reliability dominates almost entirely, with the yellow sector—indicating lower reliability—being minimal. Slightly lower are Lincoln, Hyundai, and Honda, where the presence of models with medium or partially reduced forecasts is already noticeable, but the overall balance remains confidently positive.
In the segment of mass-market European brands, Audi, Volkswagen, and Volvo show an even distribution between high and medium values. CR analysts explain that this "two-tone" structure is typical for brands whose new model generations are actively transitioning to electric and hybrid platforms, which temporarily adds variability to the results.
Closer to the middle of the list are Toyota and Lexus. Despite their reputation for building extremely reliable cars, CR's updated assessment model shows a noticeable increase in the share of their vehicles with a medium forecast. Experts link this to the expansion of their hybrid lineups and CR's stricter approach to evaluating electronic driver assists and multimedia systems. Failures in these areas are now assessed as a normal part of a car's reliability, not merely as "consumer electronics glitches."
Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Cadillac form a broad band at the medium level, where the share of highly reliable vehicles is shrinking against a backdrop of increasingly complex engineering solutions. For Chevrolet, Ford, and GMC, the report records already significant yellow sectors, illustrating a familiar pattern for American models: strong mechanicals paired with variable longevity in electronics and auxiliary components.
Occupying the bottom of the CR ranking with little movement are Mitsubishi, Jeep, and Land Rover—brands that in 2025–2026 continue to have the largest share of vehicles with low predicted reliability. Experts stress that this data reflects entire lineups, not specific models, and some individual cars may perform well, but the overall picture has remained stable for several consecutive years.
The new Safety Verdict system is the culmination of CR's 90-year work in safety. The organization has repeatedly advocated for the mandatory adoption of seat belts, child safety standards, electronic stability control, and automatic emergency braking. Now, the assessment expands to a full analysis of a vehicle's behavior in real-world conditions, making the rating one of the strictest and most authoritative in the industry.