Powerful and petite can be a dangerous combination on American roadways, unless you’re really careful.
Those are the findings from the latest driver death rates and other-driver death rates from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Aggressive drivers behind the wheel of a high-powered muscle car can cause a lot of mayhem, while being in a small or mini vehicle is a bit more dicey in a crash.
To get its findings, the IIHS analyzed fatalities that occurred from 2018 to 2021 for vehicles from the 2020 model year. A vehicle must have had at least 100,000 registered vehicle years of exposure from 2018 to 2021 or at least 20 deaths to be included in the study.
Some of the more eye-opening, if not gruesome, results of the IIHS report:
- Minicars had the highest driver death rates.
- Very large luxury cars had the lowest driver death rates.
- Very large pickups had the highest other-driver death rates.
- Traffic fatalities increased from 147,599 (2015-2018) to 155,136 fatalities (2018-21).
Of the top 21 vehicles with the highest death rates, eight were minicars or small cars. Six were muscle cars.
Here’s a look at the vehicles with the highest rate of drivers killed in a crash.
15. Ford Mustang (convertible)
Deaths per million registered vehicle years: 97
Type of vehicle: Midsize sports car
The IIHS noted that these high-powered vehicles are marketed to “adrenaline chasers” and allow drivers to “keep ahead of the pack,” language that could lead to aggressive and perhaps more dangerous driving.
14. Chrysler 300 4WD
Deaths per million registered vehicle years: 100
Type of vehicle: Large car
The NHTSA gave this vehicle an overall 4-star rating (out of 5) for the 2020 model year. The IIHS gave the vehicle a “Poor” rating for headlight safety and only “Marginal” safety for driver-side crashworthiness.
13. Hyundai Elantra (sedan)
Deaths per million registered vehicle years: 103
Type of vehicle: Small car
The NHTSA cited a “safety concern” with the 2020 model, potentially affecting the rear passenger more than the driver in an intersection collision. However, the IIHS deemed the vehicle a “Top Safety Pick” for 2020.
12. Chevrolet Sonic
Deaths per million registered vehicle years: 107
Type of vehicle: Small car
The Sonic was among a group of eight either small cars or minicars on the list of deadliest cars, “because they don’t provide as much protection, especially in crashes with larger, heavier SUVs and pickups,” IIHS President David Harkey said.
The NHTSA gave the 2020 Sonic sedan and hatchback a 5-star overall rating, although only a 4-star in rollover scenarios.
11. Chevrolet Camaro (coupe)
Deaths per million registered vehicle years: 110
Type of vehicle: Large sports car
You can “dominate on the daily” and “leave the competition speechless,” according to Chevy’s website, the type of marketing language that “may be encouraging more aggressive driving,” said IIHS President David Harkey.
10. Kia Forte
Deaths per million registered vehicle years: 111
Type of vehicle: Small car
The 2020 model was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, and the vehicle was ranked the No. 2 compact car for 2020 by J.D. Power and Associates.
8. Nissan Altima (tie)
Deaths per million registered vehicle years: 113
Type of vehicle: Midsize car
In addition to being in the top 10 for most driver deaths, this longtime staple of the Japanese automaker’s fleet was also ranked 14th in the other-driver death rate in the IIHS report. The 2020 AWD model received a 5-star rating for overall safety from the NHTSA.
8. Chevrolet Camaro convertible (tie)
Deaths per million registered vehicle years: 113
Type of vehicle: Large sports car
J.D. Power and Associates ranked this muscle car No. 2 in the Midsize Sporty Car category for the 2020 model year.
7. Dodge Charger HEMI 2WD
Deaths per million registered vehicle years: 118
Type of vehicle: Large car
Company marketing for this muscle car — and other high-powered Dodge models — promise “ground-shaking” and “hellacious” horsepower and that its custom look is “the face of your nightmare.” The HEMI 2WD was No. 2 for other-driver death rate in the IIHS report.
6. Kia Rio (sedan)
Deaths per million registered vehicle years: 122
Type of vehicle: Minicar
The IIHS dubbed the 2020 Rio a “Top Safety Pick,” getting dinged only for passenger-side crashworthiness and headlights (depending on trim and options). J.D. Power and Associates ranked the Rio third in its Small Car category for the 2020 model.
5. Chevrolet Spark
Deaths per million registered vehicle years: 151
Type of vehicle: Minicar
Five of the top six vehicles with the highest driver death rate are minicars, “because they don’t provide as much protection,” according to IIHS President David Harkey. The Spark did get a “Good” rating in crashworthiness in front and side testing by the IIHS.
4. Hyundai Accent
Deaths per million registered vehicle years: 152
Type of vehicle: Minicar
The NHTSA gave the 2020 model 4 out of 5 stars for overall, frontal crash and rollover safety. J.D. Power and Associates ranked the Accent No. 2 in the Small Car category for 2020.
3. Dodge Challenger 2WD
Deaths per million registered vehicle years: 154
Type of vehicle: Large car
The NHTSA gives this muscle car a 5-star overall rating, although only 4 stars for frontal crash and rollover safety testing. The 2020 model was ranked No. 1 by J.D. Power and Associates in the Midsize Sporty Car category.
2. Mitsubishi Mirage (hatchback)
Deaths per million registered vehicle years: 183
Type of vehicle: Minicar
This vehicle received 4 out of 5 stars in all main safety categories from the NHTSA, and the IIHS gave it mostly favorable safety ratings.
1. Mitsubishi Mirage G4
Deaths per million registered vehicle years: 205
Type of vehicle: Minicar
Mitsubishi’s Mirage has the dubious distinction of ranking No. 1 and No. 2 here, with the G4’s deaths per million far exceeding other vehicles lower on the list. The vehicle does not have a front-crash prevention system and did not get a “Good” rating in driver-side crashworthiness in IIHS testing.
