Best-of list
Highest NHTSA Overall Ratings: Hatchbacks (2018–2022)
Ranked by NHTSA crash-test ratings across 38 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
2021 Toyota Prius
HatchbackComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
6
Crash
MPG
52
- 2
2020 Volkswagen Golf
HatchbackComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
6
Crash
MPG
31.5
- 3
2021 Volkswagen Golf
HatchbackComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
6
Crash
MPG
32.5
- 4
2019 Chevrolet Sonic
HatchbackComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
8
Crash
MPG
30
- 5
2020 Chevrolet Sonic
HatchbackComplaint record
Quieter than 60% of peers
Complaints
10
Crash
MPG
29
Watch for: electrical system complaints
- 6
2020 Toyota Prius
HatchbackComplaint record
Quieter than 47% of peers
Complaints
14
Crash
MPG
52
Watch for: unknown or other complaints
- 7
2018 Chevrolet Sonic
HatchbackComplaint record
Quieter than 76% of peers
Complaints
14
Crash
MPG
29.5
Watch for: electrical system complaints
- 8
2022 Toyota Prius
HatchbackComplaint record
Quieter than 45% of peers
Complaints
24
Crash
MPG
52
Watch for: electrical system complaints
- 9
2019 Toyota Prius
HatchbackComplaint record
Quieter than 53% of peers
Complaints
28
Crash
MPG
52
Watch for: unknown or other complaints
- 10
2020 Honda Fit
HatchbackComplaint record
Quieter than 20% of peers
Complaints
34
Crash
MPG
33
Watch for: electrical system complaints
- 11
2018 Toyota Prius
HatchbackComplaint record
Quieter than 35% of peers
Complaints
36
Crash
MPG
52
Watch for: exterior lighting complaints
- 12
2018 Volkswagen Golf
HatchbackComplaint record
Quieter than 29% of peers
Complaints
47
Crash
MPG
28.5
Watch for: fuel/propulsion system complaints
- 13
2021 Nissan Leaf
HatchbackComplaint record
Quieter than 17% of peers
Complaints
51
Crash
MPG
108
Watch for: electrical system complaints
- 14
2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV
HatchbackComplaint record
Quieter than 18% of peers
Complaints
73
Crash
MPG
119
Watch for: steering complaints
- 15
2019 Volkswagen Golf
HatchbackComplaint record
Quieter than 29% of peers
Complaints
93
Crash
MPG
32
Watch for: engine complaints
- 16
2018 Honda Fit
HatchbackComplaint record
Quieter than 12% of peers
Complaints
114
Crash
MPG
33
Watch for: electrical system complaints
- 17
2019 Honda Fit
HatchbackComplaint record
Quieter than 24% of peers
Complaints
134
Crash
MPG
33
Watch for: electrical system complaints
- 18
2019 Kia Soul
HatchbackComplaint record
Quieter than 24% of peers
Complaints
134
Crash
MPG
27.5
Watch for: engine complaints
- 19
2020 Nissan Leaf
HatchbackComplaint record
Quieter than 13% of peers
Complaints
158
Crash
MPG
108
Watch for: electrical system complaints
- 20
2018 Kia Soul
HatchbackComplaint record
Quieter than 6% of peers
Complaints
213
Crash
MPG
27
Watch for: engine complaints
- 21
2018 Ford Focus
HatchbackComplaint record
Quieter than 0% of peers
Complaints
821
Crash
MPG
29.5
Watch for: power train complaints
- 22
2018 Mazda Mazda2
HatchbackComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
0
Crash
MPG
Not on record
- 23
2019 Mazda Mazda2
HatchbackComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
0
Crash
MPG
Not on record
- 24
2020 Mazda Mazda2
HatchbackComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
0
Crash
MPG
Not on record
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Common questions
What is the highest NHTSA-rated 2018–2022 hatchback?
By our reading of the federal data, the 2021 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.