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: June 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%139,428
2
Mazda23.3%0.3%341,960
3
Bmw23.9%0.4%591,414
4
Ford24.2%0.3%1,930,247
5
Lincoln24.6%0.3%133,934
6
Subaru24.7%0.4%506,367
7
Volkswagen24.8%0.4%385,438
8
Jeep25.0%0.3%916,960
9
Buick25.0%0.3%188,704
10
Mitsubishi25.0%0.4%72,917

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Safety-to-Value Rankings

All mainstream brands ranked by best safety score

RankBrandAccident RateSalvage RateVehicles
1Buick25.0%0.3%188,704
2Mini25.0%0.4%59,217
3Volvo18.7%0.3%139,428
4Mitsubishi25.0%0.4%72,917
5Mazda23.3%0.3%341,960
6Nissan26.5%0.6%945,166
7Volkswagen24.8%0.4%385,438
8Hyundai26.6%0.6%661,098
9Subaru24.7%0.4%506,367
10Chrysler28.6%0.4%156,707
11Kia26.5%0.5%565,758
12Lincoln24.6%0.3%133,934
13Acura25.9%0.3%188,097
14Jeep25.0%0.3%916,960
15Ford24.2%0.3%1,930,247
16Bmw23.9%0.4%591,414
17Infiniti30.5%0.6%142,660
18Tesla20.1%0.7%137,287
19Honda30.1%0.5%1,108,061
20Toyota28.0%0.4%1,645,624

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