Pretty much all cars have been relatively safe since the mid-late 90s. We're deep in diminishing returns land with today's vehicles that have just kept piling

Pretty much all cars have been relatively safe since the mid-late 90s. We're deep in diminishing returns land with today's vehicles that have just kept piling on increasingly pointless crap making them heavier and more costly for little if any tangible benefit. And you've ignored the substantial cost of comprehensive insurance, required by the lien holder when you buy a car you can't afford using rented money.