Best Value Cars in America

Which cars give you the best safety for your money? Rankings based on accident rates vs. market price.

Last updated: May 2026

For the best combination of safety and affordability, Buick leads with an accident rate of just 25.0%. Mini is second at 25.0%, followed by Volvo at 18.7%.

Safest Affordable Brands

Lowest accident rates among affordable mainstream brands

RankBrandAccident RateSalvage RateVehicles
1
Volvo18.7%0.3%139,424
2
Mazda23.3%0.3%341,943
3
Bmw23.9%0.4%591,399
4
Ford24.2%0.3%1,930,208
5
Lincoln24.6%0.3%133,929
6
Subaru24.7%0.4%506,352
7
Volkswagen24.8%0.4%385,433
8
Jeep25.0%0.3%916,948
9
Buick25.0%0.3%188,699
10
Mitsubishi25.0%0.4%72,916

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Safety-to-Value Rankings

All mainstream brands ranked by best safety score

RankBrandAccident RateSalvage RateVehicles
1Buick25.0%0.3%188,699
2Mini25.0%0.4%59,215
3Volvo18.7%0.3%139,424
4Mitsubishi25.0%0.4%72,916
5Mazda23.3%0.3%341,943
6Nissan26.5%0.6%945,141
7Volkswagen24.8%0.4%385,433
8Hyundai26.6%0.6%661,075
9Subaru24.7%0.4%506,352
10Chrysler28.6%0.4%156,702
11Kia26.5%0.5%565,751
12Lincoln24.6%0.3%133,929
13Acura25.9%0.3%188,091
14Jeep25.0%0.3%916,948
15Ford24.2%0.3%1,930,208
16Bmw23.9%0.4%591,399
17Infiniti30.5%0.6%142,654
18Tesla20.1%0.7%137,277
19Honda30.1%0.5%1,108,001
20Toyota28.0%0.4%1,645,546

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