Safest Small Cars for 2025
The safest used and new small cars are ranked based on our analysis of the crash tests and safety ratings from the U.S. government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
iSeeCars has ranked 35 small cars based on their safety scores from the NHTSA and IIHS. Using this scoring method the safest small car is the Honda Civic coupe non-hybrid/electric with a perfect 10 out of 10 score. The first 18 of 43 small cars receive a perfect 10 out of 10 score, confirming these models also score well in safety testing. An additional 7 small cars score a 9.0 or higher, demonstrating that these models also score relatively well in safety testing.
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). When two or more vehicles have the same safety score they are then ranked by their overall quality score, as shown below. Vehicles without any NHTSA or IIHS test data are not ranked. We have also listed standard and available safety technology for each model below.
iSeeCars has ranked 35 small cars based on their safety scores from the NHTSA and IIHS. Using this scoring method the safest small car is the Honda Civic coupe non-hybrid/electric with a perfect 10 out of 10 score. The first 18 of 43 small cars receive a perfect 10 out of 10 score, confirming these models also score well in safety testing. An additional 7 small cars score a 9.0 or higher, demonstrating that these models also score relatively well in safety testing.
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). When two or more vehicles have the same safety score they are then ranked by their overall quality score, as shown below. Vehicles without any NHTSA or IIHS test data are not ranked. We have also listed standard and available safety technology for each model below.
1. Honda Civic (coupe)
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Safety score 10 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 9.1 / 10
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Value Retention 9.1 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.4 / 10
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Value Retention 9.3 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
3. Toyota Yaris
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Safety score 10 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.5 / 10
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Value Retention 9.0 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
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Safety score 10 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.5 / 10
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Value Retention 8.9 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
5. Subaru Impreza
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Safety score 10 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.0 / 10
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Value Retention 8.7 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
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Safety score 10 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.2 / 10
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Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
7. Volkswagen Golf
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Safety score 10 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.2 / 10
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Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
8. Hyundai VELOSTER
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Safety score 10 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.7 / 10
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Value Retention 8.8 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
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Safety score 10 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.2 / 10
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Value Retention 8.3 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
10. Volkswagen Beetle
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Safety score 10 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.9 / 10
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Value Retention 8.6 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
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Safety score 10 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.1 / 10
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Value Retention 8.3 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
12. Chevrolet Sonic
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Safety score 10 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.7 / 10
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Value Retention 8.3 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
13. Chevrolet Sonic (hatchback)
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Safety score 10 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.7 / 10
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Value Retention 8.3 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
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Safety score 10 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.3 / 10
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Value Retention 8.3 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
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Safety score 10 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.0 / 10
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Value Retention 8.6 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
16. Toyota Yaris Hatchback
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Safety score 10 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 9.1 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
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Safety score 10 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
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Safety score 10 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.3 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
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Safety score 9.5 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.7 / 10
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Value Retention 8.6 / 10
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Safety 9.5 / 10
20. Chevrolet Cruze (hatchback)
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Safety score 9.4 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.0 / 10
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Safety 9.4 / 10
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Safety score 9.1 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.9 / 10
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Value Retention 8.1 / 10
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Safety 9.1 / 10
22. Chevrolet Cruze
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Safety score 9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.0 / 10
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Value Retention 8.0 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
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Safety score 9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.8 / 10
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Value Retention 9.0 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
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Safety score 9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.4 / 10
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Value Retention 9.0 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
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Safety score 9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.8 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
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Safety score 8.6 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.8 / 10
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Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety 8.6 / 10
27. Hyundai ELANTRA GT
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Safety score 8.6 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.1 / 10
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Value Retention 8.3 / 10
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Safety 8.6 / 10
28. Ford Fiesta
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Safety score 8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.0 / 10
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Value Retention 8.6 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
29. Ford Fiesta (hatchback)
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Safety score 8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.0 / 10
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Value Retention 8.6 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.6 / 10
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Value Retention 8.7 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
31. Hyundai ACCENT
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Safety score 8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.5 / 10
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Value Retention 8.7 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.6 / 10
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Value Retention 8.5 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
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Safety score 8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.1 / 10
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Value Retention 8.5 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
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Safety score 8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 6.3 / 10
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Value Retention 8.5 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
35. Nissan Versa Note
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Safety score 8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.3 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
Kia Rio 5-Door
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Safety score Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.2 / 10
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Value Retention 8.7 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Kia Rio
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Safety score Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.7 / 10
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Value Retention 8.7 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Chevrolet Spark
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Safety score Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.1 / 10
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Value Retention 8.6 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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Safety score Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.1 / 10
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Value Retention 8.1 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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Safety score Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 6.7 / 10
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Value Retention 8.5 / 10
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Safety Not Available
FIAT 500L
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Safety score Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.0 / 10
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Value Retention 8.2 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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Safety score Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.7 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Hyundai ELANTRA N
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Safety score Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety Not Available