American cars vs. foreign cars: which are safer?
Foreign cars generally rank higher than American cars in independent safety and reliability ratings. However, the safety of a vehicle comes down to the specific make and model, and it's important to compare vehicles on an individual basis, whether it's American or foreign made.
Explore Progressive Answers' auto editorial guidelines to find out why you can trust the car insurance information you find here.
What makes a car safe?
Crashworthiness
Crashworthiness refers to how well a car protects its occupants from fatal or serious injury in an accident. The cars with the highest crashworthiness ratings usually include crumple zones, reinforced safety cages, and high-quality materials like steel.
Airbags
Airbags are standard in most vehicles, but the sophistication of airbag systems can vary by make and model. While most cars have front airbags, others offer additional protection with side-impact, knee, rear-window, and seat cushion airbags. The more comprehensive the airbag system, the better the protection in different types of crashes.
Crash avoidance technology
While crumple zones and airbags protect occupants in the case of an accident, crash avoidance technology protects drivers and passengers by preventing accidents. This technology includes:
- Forward collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Blind spot monitoring
- Dynamic brake systems
- Collision imminent braking
- Pedestrian detection
Safest American cars
American cars have become safer over the past 40 years due to advances in technology and crash testing. In 2025, some larger American vehicles, such as SUVs and pickups, are among the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) top safety picks. Here are a few of the safest American cars:
Safest foreign-made cars
Here are a few of the safest foreign-made cars, according to IIHS' top safety picks for 2025.
Are American cars more reliable than foreign cars?
According to Consumer Reports' 2025 reliability ratings, American cars are generally less reliable than foreign cars. In the 2025 rankings, no American brands rank in the top 10, with Buick at #11, Ford at #13, and Chevrolet at #16. Overall, Asian automakers rank as the most reliable, followed by European brands, with American manufacturers trailing behind.
These ratings are based on data from thousands of vehicle owners who report problems they've experienced, evaluating 20 different problem areas from squeaky brakes to issues with out-of-warranty engines.
Are imported cars more expensive to insure?
Imported vehicles may cost more to insure if you buy comprehensive coverage and collision coverage. That's because replacement parts can be expensive and more difficult to find. However, many foreign brands like Toyota or Mercedes have U.S.-based manufacturing networks with available parts at a more reasonable price, which can keep car insurance premiums lower. Some owners of specialty or luxury imports who don't drive regularly may opt for temporary car insurance to lower their total cost.
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