Many factors go into the decision of which car to buy for yourself or your family, but safety should always be chief among them.

Each year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety provides vehicle safety ratings by evaluating the latest models on the basis of crashworthiness and crash avoidance. Looking at some of the leaders in a variety of vehicle categories will yield insight into the current safety landscape.

Small cars

The IIHS considers the Acura Integra to be the top safety pick among small cars for 2023, with the largest criticism being a mediocre seat belt reminder system.

Midsize cars

The Subaru Outback stands out among midsize cars with stellar safety performance across the board, but the Toyota Camry provides a nearly perfect alternative.

SUVs

The Lexus UX and Subaru Solterra receive the IIHS's highest praise among small SUVs, while the Subaru Ascent is the top pick amongst midsize SUVs. While not considered quite as safe as their smaller alternatives, the Audi e-tron and Audi Q8 models also receive generally high ratings among large SUVs despite having headlight systems that could be better.

Pickups

Many small pickups in the 2023 market fail to achieve a top safety rating. Large pickups, however, provide incredible safety options in the form of the Rivian R1T and Toyota Tundra.

Luxury cars

The luxury car category comes with strong safety contenders in 2023, with the Lexus ES 350 taking the top pick among midsize models. The Genesis G90 proves to be an even greater option in the large luxury car category.

Researching vehicle safety ratings before purchasing a new car is a decision that can potentially save your life. The resources provided by the IIHS help you reduce the chance of sustaining catastrophic injuries while on the road.