9. Chevrolet Cruze (2019, last model year)
The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze may be discontinued, but it remains a standout for compact car safety. Equipped with advanced features like rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, and forward collision warning, the Cruze earned solid marks from the NHTSA for crash safety. Compared to contemporaries such as the Ford Focus, the Cruze consistently delivered class-leading occupant protection and driver-assist technologies, ensuring its place among the safest compacts of its era.