What Are the Deadliest Cars on the Road in 2024?

Every year, thousands of fatal car accidents occur across the United States. In 2024, a study by iSeeCars analyzed crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) to identify vehicles with the highest fatal accident rates. The findings revealed that small, lightweight cars remain the most dangerous for their own drivers, while high-performance sports cars and subcompact vehicles also show elevated risk levels. If you are involved in a car accident in San Antonio, regardless of the type of vehicle, consider speaking with a San Antonio car accident attorney at Hill Law Firm to understand your legal options.

10 Deadliest Cars for Their Drivers in 2024

The iSeeCars study calculated the deadliest vehicle models based on the total number of people killed in crashes involving them. Using data from 2018-2022 model years, researchers identified vehicles with the highest fatal accident rates per billion vehicle miles traveled.

According to the 2024 data, the top five deadliest vehicles were:

1. Hyundai Venue – 13.9 fatal accidents per billion vehicle miles
2. Chevrolet Corvette – 13.6 fatal accidents per billion vehicle miles
3. Mitsubishi Mirage – 13.6 fatal accidents per billion vehicle miles
4. Porsche 911 – 13.2 fatal accidents per billion vehicle miles
5. Honda CR-V Hybrid – 13.2 fatal accidents per billion vehicle miles

The study confirmed that smaller vehicles tend to be the most dangerous in terms of protecting their occupants. Meanwhile, performance cars such as the Corvette and Porsche 911 also have significantly high fatal accident rates, suggesting that speed and driver behavior contribute to crash severity. The top five deadliest vehicles had a fatal accident rate at least 2x higher than the average car. Each of these five models ranged from 4.6-4.9x more fatal than the average vehicle. See chart below for cars with the most frequent occupant fatalities: 

Source

What Types of Motor Vehicles Are the Most Dangerous?

The iSeeCars analysis showed that subcompact and compact cars experience a higher rate of fatal accidents—3.6 per billion miles—compared to the overall average of 2.8. This is largely due to their lighter weight and smaller structure, which offer less protection in crashes. Additionally, high-performance vehicles and muscle cars are among the most dangerous, often due to aggressive driving and high-speed capabilities.

SUVs with the Highest Fatal Accident Rates

While SUVs are often considered safer due to their size and elevated driving position, some models have a much higher-than-average fatal accident rate. Rollovers and other risk factors contribute to these numbers. Based on iSeeCars research, the following SUVs have the highest fatal accident rate (per billion vehicle miles):

• Hyundai Venue: 13.9 

• Honda CR-V Hybrid: 13.2

• Tesla Model Y: 10.6

• Buick Encore GX: 9.8

• Buick Envision: 8.0

The average fatal accident rate for SUVs is 2.2 per billion vehicle miles, meaning some of these models have more than six times the fatality risk. While compact SUVs dominate this list, even larger vehicles like the Ford Bronco and Mercedes-Benz G-Class exceed the fatality rate of small cars (3.6).

Pickup Trucks with the Highest Fatal Accident Rates

Trucks generally offer better crash protection, particularly full-size models, but some midsize trucks have higher fatal accident rates. According to iSeeCars, these are the most dangerous trucks based on occupant fatalities per billion miles driven:

• Nissan Frontier: 5.0

• Ford Ranger: 4.0

• Chevrolet Colorado: 2.9

• Toyota Tacoma: 2.8

• Jeep Gladiator: 2.7

The truck segment average is 2.3 fatal crashes per billion miles, with midsize models showing higher risk. The Nissan Frontier and Ford Ranger top the list, reinforcing the trend that larger trucks typically provide better crash protection than their smaller counterparts.

Car Brands with the Highest Fatal Accident Rates

While vehicle design and safety features play a role in crash outcomes, driver behavior is also a significant factor. Interestingly, the study also identified the most dangerous car brands based on overall fatal accident rates. Tesla topped the list with 5.6 fatal crashes per billion vehicle miles, followed by Kia (5.5), Buick (4.8), Dodge (4.4), and Hyundai (3.9).

The industry-wide average is 2.8 fatalities per billion miles, meaning Tesla, Kia, Buick, Dodge, and Hyundai all exceed this mark. While some of these brands are known for high-performance vehicles, the data suggests driving habits may contribute as much as vehicle safety to fatal crash rates.

Key Takeaways on Vehicle Safety

• While SUVs generally offer more protection, some models, like the Hyundai Venue, have over six times the fatal crash rate of the average SUV.
• Midsize trucks have higher fatality rates than full-size models. The Nissan Frontier has the highest fatal accident rate among trucks, exceeding the segment average.
• Tesla, Kia, and Buick top the list of brands with the most fatal crashes per billion miles.

Regardless of the vehicle you drive, the best way to stay safe on the road is to follow traffic laws, remain alert, and avoid distractions. If you’re injured in a car accident in San Antonio, regardless of the type of vehicle, consult with a San Antonio personal injury lawyer at Hill Law Firm for a free, no-obligation discussion of your legal rights and options. Contact us for a free consultation.