Top 10 Cars With the Highest Driver Death Rate

Once again, a new study is showing that drivers of small cars are the most likely to die in a crash. According to the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 15 of the 20 models with the highest death rates are compact or sub-compact cars.

Despite increased efforts by automakers to make them safer with a host of airbags and driver assistance features, their diminutive size and light weight clearly result in less protection during a crash. In fact, nearly half of the 20 models with the lowest death rates are luxury SUVs.

Check out the list of the 10 deadliest cars based on the IIHS’ analysis of driver fatalities that occurred in the U.S. from 2015 to 2018 for vehicles from the 2017 model year, as well as earlier models with the same designs and features. 

10. Ford Mustang GT
81 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years

9. Kia Rio
87 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years

8. Nissan Versa
88 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years

7. Kia Forte
89 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years

6. Hyundai Elantra
89 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years

5. Fiat 500
95 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years

4. Nissan Versa Note
96 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years

3. Chevrolet Sonic
98 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years

2. Hyundai Accent
116 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years

1. Ford Fiesta
141 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years