Driver death rates compare how many drivers die per million registered vehicle years, which reflects how each model is actually used on the road. Small cars and a handful of powerful large sedans and sports cars land near the top of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety figures. Here are twelve models whose rates stand out, with each number as reported.
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1. Kia Rio: Top of the List
The Kia Rio, a minicar, recorded the highest driver death rate in the study, at 170 deaths per million registered vehicle years, as laid out in the IIHS report.
That figure is a rate across all registered Rios over time, not a forecast for any single trip. Shoppers weighing a minicar can still compare crash-test results, check which safety features come standard, and confirm open recalls by VIN at NHTSA before buying a used one.
2. Nissan Versa: Close Behind the Rio
Second highest was the Nissan Versa, a small car, at 164 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, according to the same IIHS study.
The gap between the Versa and the Rio is only six deaths per million, so the two sit in nearly the same tier. Buyers of either small sedan benefit from checking the specific model-year crash ratings and asking for service records on a used example. Rates like this are best read as one input alongside crash-test scores and how a given car is maintained.
3. Chrysler 300: Big Sedan, Big Rate
The Chrysler 300, a large car in two-wheel-drive form, reached 132 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years in the IIHS data.
Size alone did not protect drivers here, since a large sedan appears well above many smaller models further down the list. Drivers of an older 300 should confirm that recall repairs were completed and that tires and brakes are in good condition. Rates are measured per registered vehicle year, so they reflect the people who drive these models as well as the vehicles themselves.
4. Dodge Charger: Hemi Power Counts
The Dodge Charger HEMI 2WD, a large car, came in at 127 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, per the IIHS findings.
The study headline pointed at models with powerful engines, and this entry fits that pattern. A used Charger deserves a careful look at its history, a check for open recalls by VIN, and a test drive that confirms the brakes and steering feel sound. Insurance quotes and crash-test ratings are other useful reference points when comparing it with alternatives.
5. Kia Forte: Small Car, High Rate
The Kia Forte, a small car, logged 120 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, according to KBB’s coverage of the study.
Compact sedans make up a good share of this ranking, which suggests that body size and price class matter. Anyone shopping a Forte can compare it against rivals on crash ratings and confirm that every safety recall has been handled. Rates like this combine vehicle design with the kinds of drivers and trips involved, so context matters.
6. Chevrolet Malibu: Midsize and Still High
The Chevrolet Malibu, a midsize car, recorded 116 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, as reported by KBB’s study summary.
A midsize badge did not guarantee a low rate, since the Malibu lands ahead of several smaller entries. Used buyers can pull the VIN for recall checks at NHTSA, read the model-year crash-test results, and ask the seller for maintenance records. A rate is only one measure of safety, but it is a useful prompt to ask better questions at the dealership.
7. Nissan Altima: A Tie at 105
The Nissan Altima, a midsize car, posted 105 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, according to KBB’s report on the IIHS numbers.
The Nissan Maxima carries the same 105 figure elsewhere in this gallery, so two Nissan sedans share one rate. As with any used car, a VIN recall lookup and a pre-purchase inspection are sensible steps before committing. Rates reflect the whole fleet on the road, so older examples may behave differently from newer ones.
8. Kia K5: Midsize Kia Sedan
The Kia K5, a midsize car, came in at 94 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, as noted by Carscoops’ write-up of the IIHS study.
That is a lower rate than the cars ahead of it here, though still notable for a mainstream sedan. Buyers can compare trims for driver-assistance features and verify that any open recall work has been completed before taking delivery. Newer model years may also differ from the period the rate covers, which is worth keeping in mind.
9. Chevrolet Camaro: Muscle Car Territory
The Chevrolet Camaro, a large sports car, recorded a driver death rate of 88 per million registered vehicle years, according to CarPro’s analysis.
Sports and muscle cars show up in the study alongside small sedans, a reminder that performance can raise risk. Owners and shoppers should weigh driving habits honestly, keep tires fresh, and check recall status by VIN. Keeping up with maintenance on tires and brakes matters for any car that drives like this one.
10. Chevrolet Corvette: Corvette on the List
The Chevrolet Corvette, a midsize sports car, had a driver death rate of 82 per million registered vehicle years, per CarPro’s coverage of the study.
The Corvette has the lowest figure of the twelve here, yet it still earns a place among high-rate vehicles. Buyers of any powerful car can look at stability-control behavior on a test drive and confirm that recall repairs are complete. Seat belts and sober, attentive driving remain the biggest controllable factors for any vehicle.
11. Hyundai Kona: Compact Crossover Entry
The two-wheel-drive Hyundai Kona recorded 95 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, according to Carscoops’ reporting.
Only the two-wheel-drive version is cited, so the all-wheel-drive Kona is not covered by this number. Anyone comparing small crossovers can check each trim’s crash-test results and run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup. A stability-control and braking check during a test drive is a simple, worthwhile step for any buyer shopping this segment.
12. Nissan Maxima: Another Nissan Sedan
The Nissan Maxima, a midsize car, recorded 105 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, as covered by Carscoops’ article.
This number matches the Altima’s exactly, so the two Nissan sedans share a rate. A used Maxima buyer should ask for service history, verify recall completion, and take a test drive before signing any paperwork. Rates for individual models can shift between study periods, so the latest IIHS tables are worth a look.
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