10 Solid Used Vehicles From The 2010s That Scored 5-Star Safety Ratings (2024)

As technology advances in the automotive industry, manufacturers are also improving safety standards. In the past, vehicles were often made with heavy and delicate chassis and had few safety features for drivers and passengers. As more people could afford cars and new laws were passed, safety standards for cars have continued to improve.

Today, we have some of the safest cars available, especially here in the United States. Organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are responsible for evaluating the safety of every vehicle, primarily through a series of crash tests. However, newer cars are not the only safe options on the road. If you are seeking a more affordable, yet still safe alternative, there are plenty of good options from the 2010s to suit various budgets and preferences. Here are 10 reliable used vehicles from the 2010s with outstanding safety ratings, listed in order of price.

10 2012 Volkswagen Passat

Average Used Price: $7,000-$11,000

This German sedan is a great entry in the economy segment. Despite not being the cheapest choice on the market, the Passat offers a well-rounded package that flawlessly combines fuel economy, reliability, and most importantly, safety.

This particular product was made in the Volkswagen factory near Chattanooga, located in Tennessee. Despite not being built in its mother country, it still holds the resembling qualities that made it the renowned car it is today. While there are several engine choices to get the 2012 Passat in, the 2.5-liter TDI five-cylinder engine is described as bulletproof by owners.

NHTSA Safety Ratings

• Recalls: 10
• NHTSA Investigations: 3
• Complaints: 458

9 2014 Chevrolet Volt

Average Used Price: $8,000-$14,000

Being an early-day plug-in-hybrid, the Chevy Volt offered a surprisingly good glimpse into what was about to come. The Chevy Volt is a quirky hybrid, in that it is a range-extending EV, meaning it uses a gas-powered engine to charge the batteries if need be. 10 years ago, range worries and anxiety were a real thing, so Chevy addressed this concern with the Volt.

The Chevrolet Volt achieves an EPA-estimated range of up to 38 miles running on the battery alone. After that, the engine kicks in as a generator to recharge the battery as needed.

NHTSA Safety Ratings

• Recalls: 0
• NHTSA Investigations: 1
• Complaints: 86

8 2016 Nissan Altima

Average Used Price: $8,500-$16,000

With a price tag as low as even $8,500 for a 2016 Altima, this mid-sized sedan is an excellent choice for safety on a budget for teenagers or even smaller families. People complained back when it was released due to its low-effort refresh from Nissan, which made it fall behind the competition, namely the Subaru Legacy and Honda Accord.

The Altima achieved, and still does, formidable fuel economy figures, returning an EPA-estimated 31 MPG combined, giving it an advantage ahead of the earlier-mentioned competition.

NHTSA Safety Ratings

• Recalls: 4
• NHTSA Investigations: 3
• Complaints: 482

7 2012 Dodge Charger

Average Used Price: $9,000-$17,500

Despite the fast and muscular stance, the Dodge Charger aces every crash test result. Surprisingly, owners have reported good handling characteristics of the Charger, especially from 2011 and newer.

The base engine for the 2012 Charger is a lively 3.6-liter V-6 that generates a healthy 292 horsepower. While the R/T models gained a bigger and more powerful 370 horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, it was nowhere near as fuel efficient. The base car delivers 25 MPG combined fuel economy, an impressive figure considering the nature of the powertrain.

NHTSA Safety Ratings

• Recalls: 14
• NHTSA Investigations: 3
• Complaints: 634

6 2018 Hyundai Sonata

Average Used Price: $9,500-$27,000

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata represents one of the first changes in the manufacturer's modern lineup. Despite this, the model has stayed relatively unchanged for the entirety of its lifetime, but this is not a bad thing at all. Today, you can pick up a Sonata for less than $10,000, a wonderful deal considering the tech and safety you are getting.

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While the base engine is a somewhat sluggish 178 horsepower 1.6-liter inline-four, it returns 32 MPG combined. More powerful engines are offered, but do not expect anything sporty.

NHTSA Safety Ratings

• Recalls: 1
• NHTSA Investigations: 3
• Complaints: 4

5 2010 Audi A4

Average Used Price: $10,000-$17,000

The Audi A4 sedan is an attractive mid-sized luxury sedan that never disappoints. Despite being the oldest car on this list, the A4 must be doing something right, as Audi sold more than 40,000 A4 models up until 2010, according to AutoBlog. The A4 underwent refreshment in 2009, giving it the timeless appearance it boasts even now.

All the 2010 A4 models come with the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that develops an impressive 211 horsepower. The fuel economy figures vary depending on the gearbox, driveline, and so on, but the sedan can achieve 27 MPG combined in its most economical form, according to the EPA.

NHTSA Safety Ratings

• Recalls: 0
• NHTSA Investigations: 0
• Complaints: 64

4 2014 Subaru Crosstrek

Average Used Price: $11,000-$18,000

The Japanese manufacturer is renowned for creating some of the most versatile vehicles on the market, and the Crosstrek certainly does not disappoint. Some reviewers have said the Crosstrek is rather sluggish, but overall, boasts a composed and confident ride.

Under the hood of the Subaru Crosstrek lies a 148-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, with the option of a CVT. The latter transition enables the Crosstrek to achieve an EPA-estimated 29 MPG.

NHTSA Safety Ratings

• Recalls: 1
• NHTSA Investigations: 0
• Complaints: 96

3 2016 Honda Accord

Average Used Price: $13,000-$20,000

This timeless model has always ticked almost every box there is for a sedan, and as a result, has been one of the best-selling cars in the USA. The 2016 Accord model has been refreshed, and the looks it boasts now we still consider fresh, even by today's standards. While it does not boast a whole lot of excitement, the Accord gets the job done reliably and safely.

The EPA estimates a fuel economy of just over 30 MPG for the sluggish four-cylinder. A V-6 option is available too, still boasting adequate fuel economy.

NHTSA Safety Ratings

• Recalls: 3
• NHTSA Investigations: 0
• Complaints: 436

2 2019 Toyota RAV4

Average Used Price: $15,000-$31,000

Just like many vehicles on this list, the RAV4 was refreshed for the year 2019, making it the most modern car on this list. Owners and reviewers have described the RAV4 as a wonderfully well-rounded compact SUV, but it can be rough around the edges at times.

The 2.5-liter inline-four puts out 203 horsepower, which in a smaller car would be an adequate amount. In the slightly bigger RAV4, however, it feels cold and unresponsive. At least the EPA rated the RAV4 good for 26 MPG combined, not bad for a sports utility vehicle.

NHTSA Safety Ratings

• Recalls: 7
• NHTSA Investigations: 0
• Complaints: 666

1 2017 Toyota Prius

Average Used Price: $16,000-$25,000

While many car enthusiasts would not be surprised to see the Prius at the top of the list, they won't be delighted either. Truth be told, the world's best-selling hybrid car has a lot to give, even beyond the formidable fuel economy and outstanding safety ratings.

While Toyota compromised the driving feel of the Prius for its practicality, it still stands as one of the best cars of the 2010s, having Toyota reliability and Lexus safety levels. The 2017 Prius unsurprisingly has the best fuel economy on this list, boasting a combined 52 MPG from its 1.8-liter hybrid engine.

NHTSA Safety Ratings

• Recalls: 3
• NHTSA Investigations: 1
• Complaints: 91