5 Older Cars that Have the Best Crash-Test Scores

If you want an affordable used car, the safest choices aren’t necessarily out of the question.

Cars.com analyzed Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash-test results for hundreds of models to find some diamonds in the used-car rough. Our criteria:

• Eligible cars must be model-year 2010 or older models.

• They need good or acceptable results in IIHS’ small-overlap frontal test, moderate-overlap frontal test, side-impact test, roof-strength test and head restraint/seating evaluation. (IIHS scores are good, acceptable, marginal or poor.)

• They cannot have any missing scores among those five tests.

• They must have a standard electronic stability system, which includes antilock brakes and traction control.

Stability systems have been required since 2012, but many cars had them before that.

Want a safe, affordable used car?

If you want an affordable used car, the safest choices aren’t necessarily out of the question.

Cars.com analyzed Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash-test results for hundreds of models to find some diamonds in the used-car rough. Our criteria:

• Eligible cars must be model-year 2010 or older models.

• They need good or acceptable results in IIHS’ small-overlap frontal test, moderate-overlap frontal test, side-impact test, roof-strength test and head restraint/seating evaluation.

(IIHS scores are good, acceptable, marginal or poor.)

• They cannot have any missing scores among those five tests.

• They must have a standard electronic stability system, which includes antilock brakes and traction control.

Stability systems have been required since 2012, but many cars had them before that.

Pricing: A new Flex could run more than $40,000, and used-car prices reflect that. Used 2010 Flexes average $17,576 on Cars.com.