The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rates vehicles on a scale of 1 to 5 stars based on how well they protect occupants in crash tests. The program evaluates frontal crash performance, side crash performance, and rollover resistance. A 5-star rating means the vehicle has the lowest risk of serious injury in a crash. These ratings help consumers compare the relative safety of different vehicles within the same weight class.

NHTSA conducts three main types of crash tests. The frontal crash test simulates a head-on collision between two similar-weight vehicles at 35 mph using a full-width rigid barrier. The side crash test replicates a T-bone intersection collision using a moving barrier at 38.5 mph. The side pole test simulates a vehicle sliding sideways into a narrow object like a tree or pole at 20 mph. Rollover resistance is measured using a static stability factor based on the vehicle's center of gravity and track width.

Compare ratings across vehicles in the same size and weight class — a 5-star compact car isn't necessarily safer than a 3-star SUV in a real-world collision. Look at individual category ratings, not just the overall score; a vehicle might score well overall but have a weak rollover rating. Also consider active safety features like Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW), which can help you avoid crashes entirely.