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: October 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%139,487
2
Mazda23.3%0.3%342,283
3
Bmw23.9%0.4%591,741
4
Ford24.2%0.3%1,930,890
5
Lincoln24.6%0.3%133,970
6
Subaru24.7%0.4%506,606
7
Volkswagen24.8%0.4%385,662
8
Jeep25.0%0.3%917,123
9
Buick25.0%0.3%188,753
10
Mitsubishi25.0%0.4%72,982

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Safety-to-Value Rankings

All mainstream brands ranked by best safety score

RankBrandAccident RateSalvage RateVehicles
1Buick25.0%0.3%188,753
2Mini25.0%0.4%59,249
3Volvo18.7%0.3%139,487
4Mitsubishi25.0%0.4%72,982
5Mazda23.3%0.3%342,283
6Nissan26.5%0.6%945,513
7Volkswagen24.8%0.4%385,662
8Hyundai26.6%0.6%661,454
9Chrysler28.6%0.4%156,771
10Kia26.5%0.5%565,950
11Subaru24.7%0.4%506,606
12Lincoln24.6%0.3%133,970
13Acura25.9%0.4%188,235
14Jeep25.0%0.3%917,123
15Ford24.2%0.3%1,930,890
16Bmw23.9%0.4%591,741
17Infiniti30.5%0.6%142,742
18Tesla20.1%0.7%137,424
19Honda30.1%0.5%1,108,933
20Toyota28.0%0.4%1,646,551

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