Safest Sedans for 2025: Four Doors and Peace of Mind

Bob HernandezWriterManufacturerPhotographerMotorTrend StaffPhotographerRyan LugoIllustratorApr 01, 2025

This year’s list of the safest sedans is as well-rounded as last year’s, if a tiny bit shorter. Four-door cars don’t come in the numbers they used to, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) might be partly responsible for the shortage, given that it has strengthened crash test standards for a third straight year. Vehicles in our index had to qualify for either a 2025 Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the institute. If rated by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these cars achieved a five-star overall rating.

There’s not such a preponderance of Hyundai-branded sedans this time around; Honda products now dominate. From subcompact to midsize, read on for our complete list of the safest sedans for 2025.

Acura Integra: Safety Ratings and Features

Returning as this list’s only luxury subcompact car, the Integra slips a small bit in IIHS ratings compared to last year, earning the institute’s second highest award this time, a 2025 Top Safety Pick. Acceptable grades in headlight and updated moderate overlap front tests, as well as a Marginal score for the seat belt reminders not being loud enough, hold the car back from better ratings. NHTSA again gives the Integra five out of five stars overall, and in every test for every model except the Type S performance trim, which only receives a grade for rollover resistance (five stars).

AcuraWatch is the brand’s suite of driver assists. With the 2025 Integra, the standard bundle includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic headlights. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring are also standard on the Integra. Available features include parking sensors and rain-sensing wipers.

Acura Integra: Pros and Cons

The Integra stands out as a fantastic entry-level luxury car. Its hatchback design is both practical and versatile, while the efficient turbocharged four-cylinder base engine delivers unexpectedly punchy performance. As with Honda Civic, built on the same platform, even basic Integra models are a blast to drive. The Type S is a genuine driver’s car. With an available Civic hatchback that’s so well crafted, though, some might question whether the premium price for an Acura that feels so similar is worth it.

Genesis G90: Safety Ratings and Features

An Acceptable rating in IIHS’ updated moderate overlap front impact test means the G90 receives a 2025 Top Safety Pick, the body’s second-highest award. The luxury car also gets the same grade for its LED projector headlights. As the top sedan in the range, it’s equipped with a robust set of driver assists that include blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitors, adaptive cruise control, front and rear automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, automatic high-beams, and a driver focus monitor.

Genesis G90: Pros and Cons

The G90 is a proper flagship luxury car. A majestic exterior and comfortable, quiet, and beautiful cabin are a couple of the reasons why it took home our 2023 Car of the Year. Like other Genesis models, it’s also a good value. Neither V-6 powertrain is all that efficient, though, with the mild hybrid setup somehow returning worse fuel economy than the pure gas model.

Honda Accord: Safety Ratings and Features

This year’s Accord almost delivers a clean sweep of Good ratings in IIHS testing, with only a single grade of Acceptable for the vehicle’s standard front crash prevention system with pedestrian detection. The midsize sedan does even better with NHTSA, earning five stars overall and for every test. Every 2025 Accord comes with the Honda Sensing driver assist suite that features automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, traffic sign recognition, automatic high-beams, and a driver focus monitor. Available blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitors, parking sensors, and low-speed brake control are offered on higher trims.

Honda Accord: Pros and Cons

The Accord appeals with attractive interior design and plenty of space for people and things. It’s a well-handling car, and hybrid models return strong fuel economy. The previous iteration tested better, though. Other gripes include a small touchscreen on gas models, a disconnected steering feel, and wind and road noise at speed.

Honda Civic: Safety Ratings and Features

Honda is the only brand with two vehicles on this year’s list of the safest sedans. The Civic compact receives a 2025 Top Safety Pick award from IIHS, and the same-year hatchback surprisingly is a Top Safety Pick+; a look at the ratings reveals that the hatch received a Good score in the updated moderate overlap front impact test, but the four-door got only an Acceptable grade. Both 2025 body styles earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, as well as five stars in the side impact and rollover resistance assessments, but only four stars in the front impact test.

Like the larger Accord, the Civic comes with Honda Sensing that features automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, automatic high-beams, and a driver focus monitor. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring, parking sensors, and low-speed braking control are unlocked on higher trim levels.

Honda Civic: Pros and Cons

Every Civic is relatively efficient, even the racy Type R performance trim. The new hybrid model might be the lineup’s sweet spot, though a competitor like the Corolla Hybrid returns better fuel economy. Great handling is also a common thread across Civic trim levels, as is an upscale-looking cabin. The car is slow with the 2.0-liter non-turbo powertrain.

Hyundai Ioniq 6: Safety Ratings and Features

The only all-electric vehicle on this year’s index, the Ioniq 6 gets IIHS’ highest accolade, 2025 Top Safety Pick+. Among the sedan’s raft of Good ratings, it also receives Acceptable grades for child seat anchors that are too deep in the seats and headlights that don’t provide adequate illumination in some situations. NHTSA gives the car a five-star overall safety rating and five stars each in side impact and rollover resistance tests but only four stars in the front impact evaluation.

The Ioniq 6 is loaded with many driver assists. Among these are blind-spot monitoring, side and rear cross-traffic alert, front automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and automatic high-beams. Higher-end models pick up intersection collision avoidance, blind-spot cameras, and automated lane change functionality.

Hyundai Ioniq 6: Pros and Cons

Offering commendable range and quick charging rates, the Ioniq 6 is a better-riding electric sedan than the Tesla Model 3. Dual-motor models are legitimately quick. The cabin is too plasticky in parts, though, and not everyone will be into the car’s distinct exterior styling.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Safety Ratings and Features

The third of this list’s three luxury cars is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. The C-Class scores several Good grades in testing but also receives acceptable ratings for its standard front crash prevention system with pedestrian detection, as well as for headlights on models with the digital light package. Automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and automatic high-beams are included among the car’s standard driver assists. Available features include lane keeping assist, emergency evasive steering, and a stop-and-go traffic assist. The Driver Assistance package unlocks an adaptive cruise control system that uses navigation data to slow down for upcoming curves.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Pros and Cons

The C-Class exudes the essence of a luxury compact. It presents itself as a premium sedan with ample rear passenger space and a smooth ride. However, it falls short when it comes to delivering the same level of refinement it appears to promise. The driving experience is also less engaging compared to its predecessor.

Mazda 3: Safety Ratings and Features

Sedan or hatchback, the Mazda 3 performs well in safety evaluations. IIHS gives both bodies its highest distinction, 2025 Top Safety Pick+. This year’s 3 cleans up in NHTSA testing, too, receiving a five-star overall safety score and five stars in each test category. Standard driver assist tech includes lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, a driver focus monitor, automatic high-beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Traffic sign recognition, a 360-degree view camera, and adaptive front lighting system are available on the Turbo Premium Plus model.

Mazda 3: Pros and Cons

Distinguished from its rivals by a sophisticated interior and a sleek exterior, the 2025 Mazda 3 is undeniably stylish. The car’s steering offers solid feedback, though turbocharged variants deliver much better acceleration than non-turbo models. All-wheel drive is available throughout the lineup, too. Downsides include cramped rear seats and a stiff suspension. Fuel economy leaves something to be desired, too.

Toyota Camry: Safety Ratings and Features

This year’s redesigned Camry starts the generation off strong in safety testing. The midsize sedan is an IIHS 2025 Top Safety Pick+, earning almost all Good ratings and one Acceptable grade for the vehicle’s headlights. NHTSA gives the Toyota a five-star overall safety rating and five stars in each test. Automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and centering, a traffic sign monitor, automatic high-beams, and blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic alert are standard with the Camry’s Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite. Optional upgrades consist partly of an available 360-degree view monitor, front and rear parking assist self-parking, rear automatic braking, and a front cross-traffic alert.

Toyota Camry: Pros and Cons

Styling elements of the new Camry are more evolution than revolution, but under the skin the sedan is markedly improved. The car’s new strong standard hybrid powertrain delivers good pep while returning excellent fuel economy. Tech is better than before as well, with standard features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. We just wish there was more than one powertrain option.

Safest Sedans for 2025

Safest Sedans From 2024

Imagine a safe car. What comes to mind? When we gave this exercise a shot, it was a Toyota Camry. While the dependable midsizer has made our list of the safest sedans for 2024, it’s only one interpretation of the classic three-box shape that we’re featuring here. In fact, safe cars on the market come in different sizes from a variety of brands with an abundance of powertrain options.

Vehicles on this list received either a 2024 Top Safety Pick or a 2024 Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Bringing home one of these titles is no easy feat; IIHS strengthened its criteria for 2023 and again in 2024. If rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), they achieved a five-star overall score. Read on for our complete list of the safest sedans for 2024.

2024 Hyundai Elantra: Safety Ratings and Features

The 2024 Hyundai Elantra snagged a Top Safety Pick, the second highest award given out by IIHS. NHTSA awarded the small sedan four stars in the frontal crash test and five stars in the rollover evaluation, although the side crash rating and overall score aren’t yet available.

Driver assistance systems are plentiful. Standard tech includes automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic-alert, speed limit assist, driver attention warning, high-beam assist, and safe exit warning. At higher trims, the Elantra comes equipped with blind-spot camera view, adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera. Hyundai’s SmartSense suite is one of the more comprehensive packages on the market, and the features work reliably on the Elantra.

2024 Hyundai Elantra: Pros and Cons

Visually, the Hyundai Elantra stands out with aggressive styling and crisp body lines. This value-packed compact sedan exhibits a comfortable ride and a spacious, relaxing cabin. The Elantra N is a true performance sedan that’s capable of bonkers acceleration and outstanding handling. Hybrid models are efficient and tuned for pleasant commuting. Still, there are some downsides to the 2024 Hyundai Elantra. Some interior materials show clear signs of cost cutting, and higher trims don’t come equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay or wireless Android Auto. Then, there’s the Honda-shaped elephant in the room; equivalent versions of the Civic simply drive better than their Elantra counterparts.

2024 Mazda 3: Safety Ratings and Features

Boasting an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, the 2024 Mazda 3 is one of the safest sedans money can buy. The compact sedan comes equipped with an impressive suite of active safety tech, as well. All models have automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, automatic high-beams, driver attention alert, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. Other available features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear door alert. A 360-degree camera is available.

We’ve noted that Mazda’s driver assists aren’t programmed to be nearly as supportive as the systems used by rivals like Honda, Hyundai, Kia, or Toyota. Lane centering doesn’t engage as often as we’d like, and adaptive cruise control occasionally brakes unnaturally.

2024 Mazda 3: Pros and Cons

Set apart from competitors by an upscale interior and a beautifully sculpted exterior, the 2024 Mazda 3 sedan oozes style. Steering is weighty and provides adequate feedback. Naturally aspirated models aren’t as quick as we’d like, but versions of the Mazda 3 equipped with the turbocharged engine boast improved acceleration. All-wheel drive, which isn’t a guarantee in the segment, is available across the range. Overall, this is one of the better-driving compact sedans.

As much as we enjoy wheeling this well-proportioned four-door on a winding road, we have a few sticking points with the Mazda 3. The second row is cramped, and the bigger suspension impacts upset the sedan’s poise. Fuel economy is lackluster, and Mazda still hasn’t introduced a hybrid. In our testing, however, we’ve found that the Mazda 3’s upscale attitude and well-rounded character appealing.

2024 Toyota Camry: Safety Ratings and Features

IIHS names the 2024 Toyota Camry a Top Safety Pick, complementing its five-star frontal crash and rollover ratings from NHTSA. Safety features include a total of 10 airbags and the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of driver assistance features. Standard equipment is plentiful; all models receive adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, front automatic emergency braking, road sign recognition, and automatic high-beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are added on higher-end models. These systems perform well and are relatively unobtrusive, but those who want the latest Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 package will need to wait for the 2025 Camry’s arrival.

2024 Toyota Camry: Pros and Cons

Even in its twilight years, the eighth-generation Camry delivers the approachable and predictable driving experience that has made it a sales success for decades. Strong safety ratings, a decent array of modern tech, and an optional V-6 engine have contributed to its appeal. Hybrid variants return incredible fuel economy for a vehicle of this class. With a new model on the way for 2025, it only makes sense that the 2024 Camry’s interior is starting to show its age. Other weaknesses include a slightly snug back seat and the TRD trim’s underwhelming performance. The 2024 Toyota Camry is still a solid bet, but we’re confident that those who wait for the ninth-generation sedan to arrive will be happy they did.

2024 Honda Accord: Safety Ratings and Features

The 2024 Honda Accord earns an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, making it one of the safest midsize sedans currently available. Equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of active safety features, every 2024 Accord rolls around with automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beams, and traffic sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and low-speed braking control are available depending on trim level. Honda’s adaptive cruise control system tracks vehicles in front accurately and even displays a graphic showing what it’s monitoring on the instrument cluster screen. When hands-free driving capability is enabled, the Accord tracks straight and true.

2024 Honda Accord: Pros and Cons

Honda showed restraint while penning the 11th-generation Accord, and the midsize sedan is better for it. The attractive styling carries over inside the cabin, where horizontal lines emphasize the spaciousness of the interior. The Accord exhibits excellent handling across the entire model range, even if power delivery from both gasoline-only and hybrid variants is unexciting. As such, Honda’s midsize sedan has more appeal as a competent commuter, a role enhanced by its robust suite of active safety tech. There are some shortcomings worth mentioning, however. Lots of road noise penetrates the cabin and the better-driving gasoline models are situated at the bottom of the trim structure. These lower-end models are stuck with small screens that look pathetic compared to the width of the dash. Weighing the pros and cons, the Accord retains its prominence as one of the best options within its segment, even if it isn’t the runaway favorite it once was.

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6: Safety Ratings and Features

IIHS names the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 a Top Safety Pick+, making it one of the few electric sedans to carry that designation. Equipped with the automaker’s SmartSense suite of active safety technology, all trims make use of the following features: automatic high-beams, front automatic emergency braking, rear and side cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Some higher trims receive enhanced versions of the basic SmartSense features with additional functionality. Hyundai also equips front and rear parking sensors across the entire lineup. Other premium equipment includes blind-spot view cameras, intersection collision mitigation, enhanced adaptive cruise control, and a remote park assist feature. We’ve noted that driver assistance tech is employed to an excellent degree, with great lane keeping and natural-feeling adaptive cruise control.

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6: Pros and Cons

If the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a taste of what’s to come in the future, color us excited. Fast recharging, a well-calibrated one-pedal drive mode, and a spacious interior take the hassle out of living with a non-Tesla EV. Performance impresses, too, with rapid acceleration and fantastic chassis tuning. On a more basic level, it’s simply refreshing to have the option of buying a non-luxury electric sedan.

While the Ioniq 6 has earned the favor of a good swathe of our editorial staff, it has its flaws. A smaller trunk makes it less practical for carrying cargo than the Tesla Model 3. The interior skimps on nice materials; those expecting lots of soft surfaces will be disappointed. Finally, there’s the Ioniq 6’s controversial design. Some may love its distinctive shape, but many will be put off by the busy styling and tail’s unresolved flourishes. All told, we’re glad the Ioniq 6 makes a statement while challenging expectations for what a midsize sedan can be.

2024 Toyota Crown: Safety Ratings and Features

The 2024 Toyota Crown is an IIHS Top Safety Pick. Every trim comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 active safety features package, enabling automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a lane keeping system with lane centering, automatic high-beams, and traffic sign recognition. Other tech includes blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic monitoring. Stepping up to higher trims unlocks parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, and Advanced Park hands-free parking. Toyota’s highway assistance tech locks the Crown into its lane and provides smooth acceleration and deceleration.

2024 Toyota Crown: Pros and Cons

Daring to differ, the 2024 Toyota Crown breaks the mold with its lifted suspension and strange two-tone paint. With a standard hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive, the Crown exhibits decent performance in its most basic form and returns strong fuel economy. The cabin is loaded up with high-tech features, and Toyota added even more soft-touch materials for 2024. The range-topping Crown Platinum has a more powerful hybrid drivetrain and a smoother ride, but its fuel economy is just so-so. A low ceiling, limited legroom in the second row, and mediocre trunk space reduce practicality in this safe sedan. Truly unique among sedans, the Toyota Crown will find a few passionate fans despite its niche nature.

2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Safety Ratings and Features

Earning a Top Safety Pick award from IIHS, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is one of the safest sedans in the luxury space. Standard driver assistance features include front automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high-beams, and front and rear parking sensors. Equipping the optional Driver Assistance package adds adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, intersection collision mitigation, emergency evasive steering, and other desirable features are part of the extra-cost Driver Assistance package.

In our experience with the current-generation C-Class, we’ve only had to softly hold the wheel on long drives; the assist systems work together to follow the car in front at a safe distance, all while the car is centered in its lane. Touching the turn signal activates an automatic change when there’s no car next to you. Our only criticism of the Benz’s tech is the sudden reduction of speed when the speed limit changes, even when you have the adaptive cruise control set over the speed limit. It feels like the car slams on the brakes, which can be dangerous at higher speeds.

2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Pros and Cons

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class looks like a baby S-Class inside and out. It rides with the suppleness of a larger executive sedan, too, cosseting passengers in its spacious back seat. The basic mild hybrid powertrain is smooth and delivers impressive acceleration accompanied by decent fuel economy. Although the C-Class has luxurious dynamics sorted out, it’s a bit dull to drive as a result. The interior doesn’t feel as luxurious as it looks; its upscale visage is eroded by some plastic and creaky-sounding materials. Those hoping for a larger engine are out of luck. Even the Mercedes-AMG C63 E Performance works with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in addition to its plug-in hybrid setup. Despite its flaws, buyers looking for a sublime highway cruiser will be well served by the C-Class.

2024 Genesis G80: Safety Ratings and Features

The 2024 Genesis G80 boasts impressive safety scores both from IIHS and NHTSA. IIHS awarded the luxury midsize sedan a Top Safety Pick accolade, and NHTSA issued a five-star overall score with five stars awarded in every category evaluated. Every G80 comes equipped with an impressive breadth of active safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, rear and side cross-traffic alert, and front and rear automatic emergency braking. At higher trim levels, Genesis adds camera-based blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera. Camera-enabled features are displayed in gorgeous detail on the G80’s impressive 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. 

2024 Genesis G80: Pros and Cons

Wearing elegant styling, the 2024 Genesis G80 is a refreshing departure from the German sedans that have long dominated the luxury midsize segment. Inside, the cabin features stunning materials and offers passengers abundant space to get comfortable. Genesis offers the G80 at competitive price points and equips it with lots of features. But top rivals show better ride and powertrain refinement. Fuel economy is another weakness.

2024 BMW 5 Series: Safety Ratings and Features

IIHS names the new 2024 BMW 5 Series a Top Safety Pick. Standard tech includes front collision mitigation with left-turn warning, lane keep assist with active blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert with brake intervention, and a parking assistant.

To get the most out of the 5 Series’ advanced safety features, shoppers need to option the Driving Assistance Professional package. This upgrade parcels together hands-free highway driving, active lane change with eye activation, side collision protection, and front cross-traffic warning. During our First Drive review, this system worked far better than we expected, especially because the turn signal stalk can be moved too far and accidentally cancel the automatic lane change. Another thoughtful touch is the highway assistance system’s ability to make lane changes to stay on pace with the on-board navigation’s route planning.

2024 BMW 5 Series: Pros and Cons

From its handsome exterior design to its upscale, high-touch interior, the 2024 BMW 5 Series is an impressive step forward from the previous-generation model. We’re impressed by the midsize luxury sedan’s semi-autonomous driving technology, and its handling doesn’t disappoint, either. Steering is light, but the 5 Series inspires confidence mid-corner. BMW’s base powertrain, a mild hybrid setup offered with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, provides smooth and swift acceleration. Its infotainment suite has gotten very complicated, though. A menu-heavy user interface requires lots of digging to find applications or features. The cabin could use more physical buttons.

2024 Genesis G80 Electric: Safety Ratings and Features

One of the safest sedans in the midsize luxury segment also happens to be electric. The 2024 Genesis G80 Electric earns a Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS. Not only does it ace the institute’s crashworthiness tests, the G80 Electric comes standard with an impressive repertoire of active driver assistance features including front and rear automatic emergency braking, rear and side cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Stepping up to the Prestige trim level equips camera-based blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, and additional driver-monitoring systems. Like its gas-only sibling, the G80 Electric shows off its camera views on a crisp 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen.

2024 Genesis G80 Electric: Pros and Cons

Electric cars often sport wild designs that scream “I have a battery!” The Genesis G80 Electric takes a more subdued approach, with styling that matches the elegant sheetmetal of the gasoline-only model. Very little outside noise penetrates the cabin when the sedan is hurtling along at highway speeds. Although the G80 Electric is based on a gasoline car platform, it performs remarkably well as an EV. Rapid acceleration, good range, and quick charging capability cement its competitiveness in the midsize electric luxury sedan segment. Sharing underpinnings with an internal combustion engine model has its drawbacks, though. The G80 Electric has a compromised seating position due to the underfloor battery pack, and the trunk isn’t as big as it could be.

2024 Genesis G90: Safety Ratings and Features

Our 2023 Car of the Year winner is one of the safest sedans on the market. The 2024 Genesis G90 secured a 2024 Top Safety Pick award from IIHS and features a host of active safety tech. All models come with automatic high-beams, road sign recognition, camera-based blind-spot monitoring, front and rear automatic emergency braking, side cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. In our yearlong review of the Genesis G90, we have praised the sedan’s confident highway driving assist technologies, including lane change assist, that reduce driver fatigue.

2024 Genesis G90: Pros and Cons

As the leader of the full-size luxury sedan segment, the Genesis G90 vanquishes long-established benchmarks. An opulent exterior and exquisite interior are just the start of the G90’s admirable qualities. The ride is smooth and whisper quiet. Power opening and closing doors add to the G90’s charm, and Chauffeur driving mode softens the rear suspension to pamper rear-seat passengers. Hybrid models deliver effortless acceleration. Weaknesses are few, but the infotainment system isn’t differentiated from more basic Genesis models, and fuel economy is disappointing. If brand cachet isn’t a deal breaker, then the G90 is an undeniable deal.

Safest Sedans From 2024

• 2024 Hyundai Elantra: Top Safety Pick
• 2024 Mazda 3: Top Safety Pick+
• 2024 Toyota Camry: Top Safety Pick
• 2024 Honda Accord: Top Safety Pick+
• 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6: Top Safety Pick+
• 2024 Toyota Crown: Top Safety Pick
• 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Top Safety Pick
• 2024 Genesis G80: Top Safety Pick
• 2024 BMW 5 Series: Top Safety Pick
• 2024 Genesis G80 Electric: Top Safety Pick+
• 2024 Genesis G90: Top Safety Pick

Safest Sedans From 2023

• 2023 Honda Civic: Top Safety Pick
• 2023 Honda Accord: Top Safety Pick+
• 2023 Mazda 3: Top Safety Pick
• 2023 Toyota Corolla: Top Safety Pick
• 2023 Hyundai Sonata: Top Safety Pick
• 2023 Toyota Camry: Top Safety Pick+
• 2023 Lexus ES: Top Safety Pick
• 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Top Safety Pick+
• 2023 Genesis G90: Top Safety Pick+

My dad was a do-it-yourselfer, which is where my interest in cars began. To save money, he used to service his own vehicles, and I often got sent to the garage to hold a flashlight or fetch a tool for him while he was on his back under a car. Those formative experiences activated and fostered a curiosity in Japanese automobiles because that’s all my Mexican immigrant folks owned then. For as far back as I can remember, my family always had Hondas and Toyotas. There was a Mazda and a Subaru in there, too, a Datsun as well. My dad loved their fuel efficiency and build quality, so that’s how he spent and still chooses to spend his vehicle budget.

Then, like a lot of young men in Southern California, fast modified cars entered the picture in my late teens and early 20s. Back then my best bud and I occasionally got into inadvisable high-speed shenanigans in his Honda. Coincidentally, that same dear friend got me my first job in publishing, where I wrote and copy edited for action sports lifestyle magazines. It was my first “real job” post college, and it gave me the experience to move just a couple years later to Auto Sound & Security magazine, my first gig in the car enthusiast space. From there, I was extremely fortunate to land staff positions at some highly regarded tuner media brands: Honda Tuning, UrbanRacer.com, and Super Street.

I see myself as a Honda guy, and that’s mostly what I’ve owned, though not that many—I’ve had one each Civic, Accord, and, currently, an Acura RSX Type S. I also had a fourth-gen Toyota pickup when I met my wife, with its bulletproof single-cam 22R inline-four, way before the brand started calling its trucks Tacoma and Tundra. I’m seriously in lust with the motorsport of drifting, partly because it reminds me of my boarding and BMX days, partly because it’s uncorked vehicle performance, and partly because it has Japanese roots.

I’ve never been much of a car modifier, but my DC5 is lowered, has a few bolt-ons, and the ECU is re-flashed. I love being behind the wheel of most vehicles, whether that’s road tripping or circuit flogging, although a lifetime exposed to traffic in the greater L.A. area has dulled that passion some. And unlike my dear ol’ dad, I am not a DIYer, because frankly I break everything I touch.

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