When shopping for a new car, many buyers look for a balance between safety and reliability—but these two factors don’t always go hand in hand. The latest 2025 car safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reveal a surprising disconnect between crash-test performance and long-term dependability. While 48 models earned IIHS Top Safety Pick (TSP) or Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) ratings, many of these “safest” cars come with questionable reliability based on the latest ratings from Consumer Reports. Here’s what drivers should know about reliability and safety before buying a car in 2025. 

2025’s Safest Cars: A Shortlist with Fewer Domestic Models

In 2025, the IIHS awarded far fewer Top Safety Picks than the previous year—just 48, compared to 71 in 2024. This year’s safest vehicles are dominated by import brands, with only five American-made models making the cut: the Chevrolet Traverse, Lincoln Nautilus, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Rivian R1S, and Rivian R1T. 

Surprisingly, many of the best-selling cars and trucks in the U.S. did not receive Top Safety Pick ratings, including the five most popular vehicles in America: the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Tesla Model Y.

Out of the 25 best-selling cars in the United States last year, only five made the IIHS Top Safety Pick list for 2025:

• Honda Civic
• Honda Accord
• Hyundai Tucson
• Toyota Tundra
• Subaru Forester

The Safety vs. Reliability Mismatch

While a high safety rating might seem like a green light for purchase, it doesn’t always mean the car will be dependable. Consumer Reports’ 2025 reliability predictions show a concerning trend: some of the safest cars on the road today are among the least reliable. These ratings are based on vehicle powertrain history, recalls, and real-world consumer complaints.

Here are five of the biggest disconnects between safety and reliability for 2025:

1. Rivian R1S (Top Safety Pick Plus) – Reliability Score: 9/100
   
   • Despite earning the highest IIHS safety rating, the R1S has an abysmal predicted reliability score, likely due to Rivian’s track record of software glitches, build quality concerns, and mechanical issues.
2. Mazda CX-90 PHEV (Top Safety Pick Plus) – Reliability Score: 15/100
   
   • Mazda’s plug-in hybrid SUV gets top marks for safety, but its reliability is predicted to be low, possibly due to new powertrain complexities and early-stage issues with its hybrid system.
3. Mazda CX-70 PHEV (Top Safety Pick Plus) – Reliability Score: 15/100
   
   • Much like the CX-90 PHEV, the CX-70 PHEV shares powertrain concerns that hurt its reliability forecast, despite impressive crash test performance.
4. Rivian R1T (Top Safety Pick) – Reliability Score: 20/100
   
   • The all-electric pickup is another example of a vehicle with cutting-edge safety features but poor reliability, mirroring the R1S’s mechanical and software challenges.
5. Lincoln Nautilus (Top Safety Pick Plus) – Reliability Score: 24/100
   
   • Lincoln’s midsize SUV earns strong safety scores but falls behind in reliability, likely due to past transmission and electronics issues that persist in newer models.

Full List of 2025 Top Safety Picks and Their Reliability Ratings

To give you a complete view, here is the full list of 2025 Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ models, along with their Consumer Reports reliability ratings. This data highlights the wide range of reliability scores among the safest vehicles available today:

What This Means for Car Buyers

A car’s safety rating is crucial, but it’s only half the picture. Vehicles with high crash-test scores but poor reliability can lead to frustrating ownership experiences, costly repairs, and potential long-term headaches. Before making a purchase, it’s essential to consider both safety and reliability rankings, along with real-world owner feedback.

At CarEdge, we help car shoppers make informed decisions with data-driven insights. Whether you’re searching for a vehicle that’s safe, reliable, or both, our tools and expert guidance ensure you drive away with confidence.

Explore CarEdge’s Free Buyer’s Guide to compare the latest safety, reliability, and cost-of-ownership data on your next vehicle.