Like the exploding fuel tanks in Ford's Pinto and the Ford Explorer rollover controversies of yesteryear, Toyota's recall of 2.3 million vehicles for what they call a gas pedal defect has accelerated America's attention on auto safety.

Drawing from research conducted by Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, as well as from interviews with auto safety experts such as Kelley Blue Book's executive editorial director Jack Nerad, ABCNews.com has compiled its own roundup of the safest car choices for drivers of all stripes.