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: September 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%139,486
2
Mazda23.3%0.3%342,271
3
Bmw23.9%0.4%591,724
4
Ford24.2%0.3%1,930,838
5
Lincoln24.6%0.3%133,966
6
Subaru24.7%0.4%506,589
7
Volkswagen24.8%0.4%385,652
8
Jeep25.0%0.3%917,108
9
Buick25.0%0.3%188,747
10
Mitsubishi25.0%0.4%72,972

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Safety-to-Value Rankings

All mainstream brands ranked by best safety score

RankBrandAccident RateSalvage RateVehicles
1Buick25.0%0.3%188,747
2Mini25.0%0.4%59,248
3Volvo18.7%0.3%139,486
4Mitsubishi25.0%0.4%72,972
5Mazda23.3%0.3%342,271
6Nissan26.5%0.6%945,490
7Volkswagen24.8%0.4%385,652
8Hyundai26.6%0.6%661,430
9Chrysler28.6%0.4%156,767
10Kia26.5%0.5%565,945
11Subaru24.7%0.4%506,589
12Lincoln24.6%0.3%133,966
13Acura25.9%0.4%188,216
14Jeep25.0%0.3%917,108
15Ford24.2%0.3%1,930,838
16Bmw23.9%0.4%591,724
17Infiniti30.5%0.6%142,736
18Tesla20.1%0.7%137,409
19Honda30.1%0.5%1,108,875
20Toyota28.0%0.4%1,646,470

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