Interested in the 10 most dangerous cars in the world? Maybe you should be. Buying a car is difficult enough with all the decisions you need to make, but you certainly need to take car safety into account. If you’re looking into buying a vehicle, then safe cars should be a priority. Which is why we’ve put together this list for you, the most dangerous cars around, so that you’ll know what to avoid.
Each year the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the US provides consumers with a list of the safest cars on the roads. However, the IIHS has recently also released a list of the most dangerous vehicles. By examining data about road traffic fatalities from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the IIHS was able to pinpoint which cars were involved in the most fatal accidents. This research contains only accidents from 2008 to 2011, since more recent statistics about newer model cars is not yet available. Still, these are names that you’ll want to keep in mind, particularly if you’re looking at buying a second hand vehicle.
1. The Nissan 350Z
The Nissan 350Z might look pretty cool, but it’s also the most deadly car on roads. This two door model was built between 2005 and 2008, and was responsible for a massive 143 deaths per million registered vehicles. Of these, 90 fatalities occurred in single vehicle accidents, with no other cars being involved.
2. The Nissan Titan Crew Cab
Another entrant from Nissan, this time a pick up truck. The Nissan Titan Crew Cab was found to be responsible for 126 road fatalities per million vehicles registered, and 94 of those were single car accidents. Note that this was the 2WD version of the vehicle, not the 4WD, though you might want to scratch both off your list of potential new cars…
3. The Chevrolet Aveo
The Chevy Aveo might look like any one of millions of other family cars, but this happens to be the third most dangerous vehicle on roads. The four door Aveo caused 119 deaths per million registered vehicles in the time period analysed, with the crashes being evenly split between single car and multiple vehicle accidents.
4. The Chevy Cobalt
If you follow your motor news you’ll know that the four door sedan Chevy Cobalt was involved in the GM ignition switch scandal, which recalled vehicles with faulty ignition mechanisms. And if that’s not reason enough to bypass the Cobalt, then take into account that it was responsible for 117 deaths per million vehicles registered.
5. The Nissan Titan Extended Cab
Just like its brother (the Titan Crew Cab that came is at number two), the Titan Extended Cab is a 2WD pick up truck. And this vehicle was responsible for 111 deaths per million vehicles registered. A huge majority of these were single vehicle accidents: around 77.
6. The Kia Spectra Wagon
We tend to see a lot of smaller cars on the list of dangerous vehicles, simply because small cars are less likely to protect drivers during accidents. However, the Kia Spectra Wagon is our first really small car, and it comes in at number six. This sporty little run around was responsible for 102 deaths per million, and 63 of those were multiple vehicle accidents.
7. The Chevy Malibu
The Chevy Malibu was responsible for 99 fatalities per million registered vehicles, with 63 of those being multiple car accidents. What’s interesting about this is that the IIHS says that such high accident rates were probably due to the Malibu being a popular rental vehicle, since drivers are more likely to have accidents in rented cars.
8. The Hyundai Tiburon
Sleek and sporty the Hyundai Tiberun is a very good looking vehicle. But it’s also a very dangerous one. But with the Tiburon being responsible for 96 deaths per million registered vehicles, 63 of those being single vehicle accidents, you might want to look elsewhere for your sexy sports car…
9. The Nissan Versa Sedan
Another normal looking family vehicle, but maybe you should skip the Nissan Versa Sedan. The car was responsible for 96 deaths per million registered vehicles in the time period studied, with 60 of those being single car accidents. Not the safest of family cars…
10. The Chevy Colorado Extended Cab
And we’re finishing up the list with another pick up, this time the Colorado Extended Cab from Chevrolet. Responsible for 93 deaths per million registered vehicles the Colorado just edges into the number ten spot. 54 of those deaths were in single vehicle accidents.
Car safety is obviously something that’s important when you’re looking at buying a new vehicle. And don’t forget that models with better safety records are also likely to get you lower premiums with most insurance companies, as well. A safe car is a must, but then, so is safe driving (you can check out our tips on how to drive safely for more info on that). No one wants to be involved in an accident. But if the worst happens, you want to be in a vehicle that’s going to protect you, not in one of the 10 most dangerous vehicles in the world…
Main subject: most dangerous cars
