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Best-of list

Highest NHTSA Overall Ratings: Hatchbacks (2014–2018)

Ranked by NHTSA crash-test ratings across 57 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

    2017 Toyota Prius

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    2

    Crash

    MPG

    52

  2. 2

    2016 Toyota Prius

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    4

    Crash

    MPG

    52

  3. 3

    2018 Chevrolet Sonic

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 76% of peers

    Complaints

    14

    Crash

    MPG

    29.5

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  4. 4

    2017 Volkswagen Beetle

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 72% of peers

    Complaints

    15

    Crash

    MPG

    27

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  5. 5

    2018 Toyota Prius

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 35% of peers

    Complaints

    36

    Crash

    MPG

    52

    Watch for: exterior lighting complaints

  6. 6

    2017 Chevrolet Sonic

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 50% of peers

    Complaints

    37

    Crash

    MPG

    29

    Watch for: engine complaints

  7. 7

    2015 Volkswagen Golf

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 76% of peers

    Complaints

    37

    Crash

    MPG

    32

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  8. 8

    2017 Honda Fit

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 44% of peers

    Complaints

    42

    Crash

    MPG

    34

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  9. 9

    2018 Volkswagen Golf

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 29% of peers

    Complaints

    47

    Crash

    MPG

    28.5

    Watch for: fuel/propulsion system complaints

  10. 10

    2016 Chevrolet Sonic

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 44% of peers

    Complaints

    48

    Crash

    MPG

    29.5

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  11. 11

    2017 Hyundai Veloster

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 33% of peers

    Complaints

    49

    Crash

    MPG

    29.5

    Watch for: engine complaints

  12. 12

    2014 Volkswagen Beetle

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 37% of peers

    Complaints

    54

    Crash

    MPG

    26.5

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  13. 13

    2016 Volkswagen Beetle

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 38% of peers

    Complaints

    58

    Crash

    MPG

    27

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  14. 14

    2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 18% of peers

    Complaints

    73

    Crash

    MPG

    119

    Watch for: steering complaints

  15. 15

    2014 Hyundai Veloster

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 26% of peers

    Complaints

    83

    Crash

    MPG

    28

    Watch for: engine complaints

  16. 16

    2015 Volkswagen Beetle

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 41% of peers

    Complaints

    99

    Crash

    MPG

    27

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  17. 17

    2018 Honda Fit

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 12% of peers

    Complaints

    114

    Crash

    MPG

    33

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  18. 18

    2015 Chevrolet Sonic

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 29% of peers

    Complaints

    114

    Crash

    MPG

    29.5

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  19. 19

    2016 Volkswagen Golf

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 31% of peers

    Complaints

    114

    Crash

    MPG

    29

    Watch for: fuel/propulsion system complaints

  20. 20

    2016 Honda Fit

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 25% of peers

    Complaints

    117

    Crash

    MPG

    34

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  21. 21

    2017 Volkswagen Golf

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 17% of peers

    Complaints

    131

    Crash

    MPG

    29

    Watch for: fuel/propulsion system complaints

  22. 22

    2015 Hyundai Veloster

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 24% of peers

    Complaints

    136

    Crash

    MPG

    28

    Watch for: engine complaints

  23. 23

    2014 Chevrolet Sonic

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 21% of peers

    Complaints

    149

    Crash

    MPG

    29.5

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  24. 24

    2018 Kia Soul

    Hatchback

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 6% of peers

    Complaints

    213

    Crash

    MPG

    27

    Watch for: engine 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 2014–2018 hatchback?

By our reading of the federal data, the 2017 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.