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Highest NHTSA Overall Ratings: Sedans (2016–2020)

Ranked by NHTSA crash-test ratings across 231 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

    2020 Mazda Mazda6

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    2

    Crash

    MPG

    Not on record

  2. 2

    2020 Acura RLX

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    2

    Crash

    MPG

    23

  3. 3

    2018 Audi A6

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    2

    Crash

    MPG

    28

  4. 4

    2017 Acura RLX

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    3

    Crash

    MPG

    23

  5. 5

    2020 Lincoln MKZ

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    3

    Crash

    MPG

    23

  6. 6

    2016 Lincoln MKS

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    3

    Crash

    MPG

    19

  7. 7

    2016 Infiniti Q70

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    3

    Crash

    MPG

    20

  8. 8

    2018 Volvo S60

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    4

    Crash

    MPG

    26

  9. 9

    2019 Buick Cascada

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    5

    Crash

    MPG

    24

  10. 10

    2019 Mazda Mazda6

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    6

    Crash

    MPG

    Not on record

  11. 11

    2016 Acura RLX

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    6

    Crash

    MPG

    23

  12. 12

    2019 Buick LaCrosse

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    6

    Crash

    MPG

    24

  13. 13

    2020 Lincoln Continental

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    7

    Crash

    MPG

    19.5

  14. 14

    2018 Cadillac CTS

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    8

    Crash

    MPG

    24

  15. 15

    2020 Toyota Yaris

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    9

    Crash

    MPG

    34.5

  16. 16

    2020 Acura ILX

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    9

    Crash

    MPG

    28

  17. 17

    2018 Acura RLX

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    9

    Crash

    MPG

    23

  18. 18

    2017 Buick Verano

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    9

    Crash

    MPG

    24

  19. 19

    2020 Toyota Avalon

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 66% of peers

    Complaints

    10

    Crash

    MPG

    25

    Watch for: fuel/propulsion system complaints

  20. 20

    2019 Cadillac CTS

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 73% of peers

    Complaints

    10

    Crash

    MPG

    23

    Watch for: power train complaints

  21. 21

    2019 Ford Taurus

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 70% of peers

    Complaints

    11

    Crash

    MPG

    19

    Watch for: engine and engine cooling complaints

  22. 22

    2019 BMW X1

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 70% of peers

    Complaints

    11

    Crash

    MPG

    25.5

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  23. 23

    2018 Buick Cascada

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 79% of peers

    Complaints

    11

    Crash

    MPG

    24

    Watch for: engine complaints

  24. 24

    2019 Volkswagen Passat

    Sedan

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 68% of peers

    Complaints

    12

    Crash

    MPG

    29

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

Related searches

Fewest Reported Complaints: Used SedansBest Gas Mileage Used SedansHighest NHTSA Overall Ratings: Used SedansSedans With Fewer Complaints and 4+ Star RatingsFewest Reported Complaints: Sedans (2019–2025)Fewest Reported Complaints: Sedans (2016–2020)

Common questions

What is the highest NHTSA-rated 2016–2020 sedan?

By our reading of the federal data, the 2020 Mazda Mazda6 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.