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Best-of list

Highest NHTSA Overall Ratings: Hatchbacks (2010–2014)

Ranked by NHTSA crash-test ratings across 31 model-years of federal data.

Ranked from NHTSA and EPA federal data — not adjusted for sales volume.

NHTSA says overall scores should only be compared within the same vehicle class and at roughly similar curb weights. Treat this as a shortlist, not a complete safety verdict; 2010 scores are excluded because NHTSA changed the rating system for 2011.

  1. 1

    2014 Volkswagen Beetle

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 37% of peers

    Complaints

    54

    Crash

    MPG

    26.5

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  2. 2

    2012 Nissan Leaf

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 60% of peers

    Complaints

    57

    Crash

    MPG

    99

    Watch for: service brakes complaints

  3. 3

    2013 Toyota Prius

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 53% of peers

    Complaints

    64

    Crash

    MPG

    48

    Watch for: service brakes complaints

  4. 4

    2014 Hyundai Veloster

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 26% of peers

    Complaints

    83

    Crash

    MPG

    28

    Watch for: engine complaints

  5. 5

    2011 Nissan Leaf

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 64% of peers

    Complaints

    95

    Crash

    MPG

    99

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  6. 6

    2013 Volkswagen Beetle

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 41% of peers

    Complaints

    98

    Crash

    MPG

    25

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  7. 7

    2012 Toyota Prius

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 40% of peers

    Complaints

    106

    Crash

    MPG

    48

    Watch for: service brakes complaints

  8. 8

    2014 Chevrolet Sonic

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 21% of peers

    Complaints

    149

    Crash

    MPG

    29.5

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  9. 9

    2013 Chevrolet Sonic

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 24% of peers

    Complaints

    217

    Crash

    MPG

    29.5

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  10. 10

    2012 Chevrolet Sonic

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 20% of peers

    Complaints

    353

    Crash

    MPG

    29.5

    Watch for: power train complaints

  11. 11

    2011 Toyota Prius

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 9% of peers

    Complaints

    516

    Crash

    MPG

    48

    Watch for: service brakes complaints

  12. 12

    2014 Kia Soul

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 5% of peers

    Complaints

    890

    Crash

    MPG

    26

    Watch for: engine complaints

  13. 13

    2013 Ford Focus

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 0% of peers

    Complaints

    2,172

    Crash

    MPG

    30

    Watch for: power train complaints

  14. 14

    2014 Ford Focus

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 0% of peers

    Complaints

    2,641

    Crash

    MPG

    30

    Watch for: power train complaints

  15. 15

    2014 Toyota Prius c

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 63% of peers

    Complaints

    32

    Crash

    MPG

    50

    Watch for: service brakes complaints

  16. 16

    2014 Nissan Leaf

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 58% of peers

    Complaints

    34

    Crash

    MPG

    114

    Watch for: service brakes complaints

  17. 17

    2014 Toyota Prius

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 53% of peers

    Complaints

    42

    Crash

    MPG

    48

    Watch for: service brakes complaints

  18. 18

    2013 Toyota Prius c

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 59% of peers

    Complaints

    56

    Crash

    MPG

    50

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  19. 19

    2012 Volkswagen Beetle

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 53% of peers

    Complaints

    65

    Crash

    MPG

    25

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  20. 20

    2013 Nissan Leaf

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 47% of peers

    Complaints

    81

    Crash

    MPG

    115

    Watch for: service brakes complaints

  21. 21

    2012 Honda Fit

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 33% of peers

    Complaints

    113

    Crash

    MPG

    30

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  22. 22

    2013 Honda Fit

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 29% of peers

    Complaints

    175

    Crash

    MPG

    30

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  23. 23

    2014 Chevrolet Spark

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 16% of peers

    Complaints

    175

    Crash

    MPG

    33.5

    Watch for: power train complaints

  24. 24

    2011 Kia Soul

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 18% of peers

    Complaints

    193

    Crash

    MPG

    26.5

    Watch for: service brakes complaints

Related searches

Fewest Reported Complaints: Used HatchbacksBest Gas Mileage Used HatchbacksBest Gas Mileage Hatchbacks (30+ mpg)Highest NHTSA Overall Ratings: Used HatchbacksHatchbacks With Fewer Complaints and 4+ Star RatingsBest Gas Mileage Hatchbacks (35+ mpg)

Common questions

What is the highest NHTSA-rated 2010–2014 hatchback?

By our reading of the federal data, the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle tops this list. Open its verdict page for the full complaint, recall and crash record before you buy.

How is this ranking put together?

We rank the 24 matching model years by NHTSA overall crash-test rating, using public NHTSA and EPA data. Figures are not adjusted for sales volume and update on scheduled source refreshes.

This list is generated from NHTSA complaint, recall and crash-test data and EPA fuel-economy data; it is not sales-adjusted and updates on scheduled source refreshes.