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Highest NHTSA Overall Ratings: Hatchbacks (2012–2016)

Ranked by NHTSA crash-test ratings across 51 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

    2016 Toyota Prius

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    4

    Crash

    MPG

    52

  2. 2

    2015 Volkswagen Golf

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 76% of peers

    Complaints

    37

    Crash

    MPG

    32

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  3. 3

    2016 Chevrolet Sonic

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 44% of peers

    Complaints

    48

    Crash

    MPG

    29.5

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  4. 4

    2014 Volkswagen Beetle

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 37% of peers

    Complaints

    54

    Crash

    MPG

    26.5

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  5. 5

    2012 Nissan Leaf

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 60% of peers

    Complaints

    57

    Crash

    MPG

    99

    Watch for: service brakes complaints

  6. 6

    2016 Volkswagen Beetle

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 38% of peers

    Complaints

    58

    Crash

    MPG

    27

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  7. 7

    2013 Toyota Prius

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 53% of peers

    Complaints

    64

    Crash

    MPG

    48

    Watch for: service brakes complaints

  8. 8

    2014 Hyundai Veloster

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 26% of peers

    Complaints

    83

    Crash

    MPG

    28

    Watch for: engine complaints

  9. 9

    2013 Volkswagen Beetle

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 41% of peers

    Complaints

    98

    Crash

    MPG

    25

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  10. 10

    2015 Volkswagen Beetle

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 41% of peers

    Complaints

    99

    Crash

    MPG

    27

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  11. 11

    2012 Toyota Prius

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 40% of peers

    Complaints

    106

    Crash

    MPG

    48

    Watch for: service brakes complaints

  12. 12

    2015 Chevrolet Sonic

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 29% of peers

    Complaints

    114

    Crash

    MPG

    29.5

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  13. 13

    2016 Volkswagen Golf

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 31% of peers

    Complaints

    114

    Crash

    MPG

    29

    Watch for: fuel/propulsion system complaints

  14. 14

    2016 Honda Fit

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 25% of peers

    Complaints

    117

    Crash

    MPG

    34

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  15. 15

    2015 Hyundai Veloster

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 24% of peers

    Complaints

    136

    Crash

    MPG

    28

    Watch for: engine complaints

  16. 16

    2014 Chevrolet Sonic

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 21% of peers

    Complaints

    149

    Crash

    MPG

    29.5

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  17. 17

    2013 Chevrolet Sonic

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 24% of peers

    Complaints

    217

    Crash

    MPG

    29.5

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  18. 18

    2016 Hyundai Veloster

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 13% of peers

    Complaints

    220

    Crash

    MPG

    29.5

    Watch for: engine complaints

  19. 19

    2015 Honda Fit

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 12% of peers

    Complaints

    280

    Crash

    MPG

    34

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  20. 20

    2012 Chevrolet Sonic

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 20% of peers

    Complaints

    353

    Crash

    MPG

    29.5

    Watch for: power train complaints

  21. 21

    2016 Kia Soul

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 6% of peers

    Complaints

    800

    Crash

    MPG

    26

    Watch for: engine complaints

  22. 22

    2014 Kia Soul

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 5% of peers

    Complaints

    890

    Crash

    MPG

    26

    Watch for: engine complaints

  23. 23

    2015 Kia Soul

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 6% of peers

    Complaints

    897

    Crash

    MPG

    26

    Watch for: engine complaints

  24. 24

    2015 Ford Focus

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 0% of peers

    Complaints

    1,020

    Crash

    MPG

    30.5

    Watch for: power train 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 2012–2016 hatchback?

By our reading of the federal data, the 2016 Toyota Prius 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.