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Highest NHTSA Overall Ratings: Sedans (2012–2016)

Ranked by NHTSA crash-test ratings across 235 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

    2015 Audi S4

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    1

    Crash

    MPG

    20.5

  2. 2

    2014 Infiniti Q70

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    1

    Crash

    MPG

    20

  3. 3

    2016 Lincoln MKS

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    3

    Crash

    MPG

    19

  4. 4

    2016 Infiniti Q70

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    3

    Crash

    MPG

    20

  5. 5

    2016 Acura RLX

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    6

    Crash

    MPG

    23

  6. 6

    2015 Acura RLX

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 83% of peers

    Complaints

    11

    Crash

    MPG

    23

    Watch for: steering complaints

  7. 7

    2015 Cadillac XTS

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 81% of peers

    Complaints

    13

    Crash

    MPG

    21

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  8. 8

    2015 Infiniti Q70

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 80% of peers

    Complaints

    14

    Crash

    MPG

    20

    Watch for: power train complaints

  9. 9

    2014 Audi S4

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 86% of peers

    Complaints

    17

    Crash

    MPG

    20.5

    Watch for: steering complaints

  10. 10

    2015 Lincoln MKS

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 76% of peers

    Complaints

    17

    Crash

    MPG

    21

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  11. 11

    2015 Acura ILX

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 74% of peers

    Complaints

    19

    Crash

    MPG

    26.5

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  12. 12

    2015 Audi A6

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 73% of peers

    Complaints

    21

    Crash

    MPG

    28

    Watch for: engine and engine cooling complaints

  13. 13

    2016 Buick Cascada

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 73% of peers

    Complaints

    21

    Crash

    MPG

    23

    Watch for: structure complaints

  14. 14

    2016 Cadillac XTS

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 72% of peers

    Complaints

    22

    Crash

    MPG

    21

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  15. 15

    2016 Toyota Avalon

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 70% of peers

    Complaints

    25

    Crash

    MPG

    24

    Watch for: unknown or other complaints

  16. 16

    2016 Audi A4

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 70% of peers

    Complaints

    25

    Crash

    MPG

    27

    Watch for: engine complaints

  17. 17

    2014 Volvo S60

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 78% of peers

    Complaints

    25

    Crash

    MPG

    23

    Watch for: engine complaints

  18. 18

    2016 Volvo S60

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 68% of peers

    Complaints

    27

    Crash

    MPG

    23

    Watch for: engine complaints

  19. 19

    2015 Cadillac ATS

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 69% of peers

    Complaints

    28

    Crash

    MPG

    23.5

    Watch for: steering complaints

  20. 20

    2014 Acura ILX

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 74% of peers

    Complaints

    30

    Crash

    MPG

    26

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  21. 21

    2016 Cadillac CTS

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 64% of peers

    Complaints

    31

    Crash

    MPG

    23

    Watch for: power train complaints

  22. 22

    2013 Audi S4

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 78% of peers

    Complaints

    32

    Crash

    MPG

    20.5

    Watch for: steering complaints

  23. 23

    2015 Buick Regal

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 66% of peers

    Complaints

    33

    Crash

    MPG

    24

    Watch for: engine complaints

  24. 24

    2016 Cadillac ATS

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 61% of peers

    Complaints

    35

    Crash

    MPG

    24.5

    Watch for: power train complaints

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Common questions

What is the highest NHTSA-rated 2012–2016 sedan?

By our reading of the federal data, the 2015 Audi S4 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.