Safety is a critical consideration when buying a new vehicle. But despite decades of advances, not all cars offer the same level of protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tested 22 small cars to find out which were the safest small cars. Two earned a 2026 Top Safety Pick (TSP) rating, while six garnered a Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) award. We spotlight those eight here.
How IIHS Determines Safety
Founded in 1959 by three insurance-industry associations, the nonprofit IIHS is backed by more than 100 insurers. It conducts independent crash tests and safety research that go beyond federal requirements set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). IIHS evaluates vehicles in 40-mph small- and moderate-overlap frontal crashes and a 37-mph side-impact test. It also assesses front crash prevention, pedestrian protection, headlights, seat-belt reminders and LATCH child-seat hardware.
To earn 2026 Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must receive Good ratings in all three crash tests, plus Acceptable or Good headlight ratings across all trims. Its standard front crash-prevention (aka forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems) must also earn an Acceptable or Good pedestrian rating. Top Safety Pick+ sets a higher bar, requiring a Good pedestrian protection rating and Acceptable or Good vehicle-to-vehicle rating from standard front crash prevention.
IIHS rates performance as Good, Acceptable, Marginal or Poor. NHTSA, by comparison, uses a one-to-five-star system. Here then, are the safest small cars.
2026 Mazda 3 Hatchback & Sedan: Safest Small Cars
Both the Mazda 3 Hatchback and sedan were tested separately, but their results are identical, a rarity in IIHS tests. Both receive TSP+ awards, with Good marks for small-overlap front, moderate-overlap front, side-impact, headlight, pedestrian protection, seat belt reminder and LATCH tests, along with an Acceptable rating for front crash protection. NHSTA rates both body styles five stars in overall safety.
2026 Nissan Sentra: Safer Than An Altima
Unlike the larger and pricier 2026 Nissan Altima, the redesigned 2026 Nissan Sentra earns a TSP+ rating, thanks to Good ranking for small-overlap front, moderate-overlap front, side-impact, headlight, pedestrian protection, seat belt reminder and LATCH tests, along with an Acceptable rating for front crash protection. NHTSA has not tested the car for safety.
2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid: A Capable, Safe Small Car
Also receiving a TSP+ award is the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, earning Good ratings for small-overlap front, moderate-overlap front, side-impact, headlight, pedestrian protection, seat belt reminder and LATCH tests, along with an Acceptable rating for front crash protection. Non-hybrid Crosstreks did not get the TSP or TSP+ honor, as it earned a Marginal rating in moderate-overlap front tests. All other tests merit a Good ranking. Both the Crosstrek and Crosstrek Hyrid earn a five-star rating from NHTSA.
2026 Toyota Prius: Protecting And Parsimonious
Toyota’s fun-to-drive Prius Hybrid pulls in a TSP+ rating with Good test results across the board except for headlights, which rate Acceptable. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid didn’t get any TSP or TSP+ honor, as the IIHS inexplicably did not run moderate-overlap front, front crash protection, seat-belt reminders and LATCH tests. Yet the tests it did run match its Hybrid sibling. NHTSA rates all Prius models with five stars.
2026 Kia K4 Sedan
The final small car to win a TSP+ rating this year is the 2026 Kia K4 Sedan, which nails Good ratings for small-overlap front, moderate-overlap front, side-impact and pedestrian protection. It won Acceptable marks for front crash-prevention, headlights, seat belt reminder and LATCH tests. Its sibling, the 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback, did not win any TSP award. The LATCH system wasn’t tested, and its moderate-overlap front crash test brought a Marginal rating. All other measurements are the same. NHTSA rates all 2026 Kia K4s as five-star safe.
2026 Hyundai Elantra
The 2026 Hyundai Elantra earns a TSP rating, something that can’t be said of the 2026 Toyota Corolla. Its small-overlap front, moderate-overlap front, side-impact, headlight, and pedestrian protection get Good rankings, while seat-belt reminders and LATCH tests yield Acceptable ranks. Front crash prevention was not tested. NHTSA rates all 2026 Hyundai Elantras, except for the unrated Elantra N, as five-star safe.
2026 Honda Civic Hatchback
The final TSP award winner goes to the 2026 Honda Civic Hatchback, which gets a Good rating for its Good ratings for small-overlap front, moderate-overlap front, side-impact and headlight test results. Front crash-prevention and pedestrian protection merit an Acceptable rating, while the seat belt reminder gets a Marginal rating. The LATCH system was not rated. In contrast, the Civic Sedan doesn’t get a TSP award, despite getting Good ratings for its small overlap front, side, headlight, seat belt reminder and LATCH results. It merits an Acceptable rating for its moderate overlap front, front crash-prevention and pedestrian protection tests results. NHTSA rates all 2026 Honda Civics as five-star safe.
The Upshot
If safety is high on your list when shopping for a new car, these eight models deserve a closer look. From the Mazda3 and Nissan Sentra to the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, Toyota Prius, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic Hatchback, these are among the safest small cars for 2026. While their safety scores vary, all eight demonstrate that buyers don’t have to choose a large SUV to get strong crash protection and advanced safety technology.
