15 VEHICLES MEET STRICTER CRITERIA FOR TOP SAFETY PICK+ AWARD

IIHS changes things up for 2018

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has begun implementing tougher criteria for its safety awards. With the addition of a passenger-side crash test and revised criteria surrounding headlight ratings, just 15 vehicles qualify for the agency’s top award.

To earn a 2018 Top Safety Pick+ award, vehicles must now earn a “Good” rating in headlight safety. Previously, they could get away with an “Acceptable” score in this category. Vehicles must also pass a new test that evaluates passenger-side protection in small overlap front crashes. Essentially, this is just like the driver’s side small overlap test the agency has conducted for several years now. It replicates what happens when a vehicle’s right corner crashes into an object or another vehicle at 40 mph.

Four small cars, three midsize cars, five large luxury cars, two midsize non-luxury SUVs, and one midsize luxury SUV qualify for the award. Minivans, pickups, and mini cars are absent from the list at this time. As the year progresses, IIHS will evaluate more vehicles.

So far, Top Safety Pick+ winners include the BMW 5 Series, Genesis G80, Genesis G90, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, Kia Forte sedan, Kia Soul, Lincoln Continental, Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Subaru Impreza, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Subaru WRX, and Toyota Camry.

Another 47 vehicles earned the regular Top Safety Pick award. To qualify for this honor, vehicles must now earn at least an “Acceptable” headlight rating. Here are the 2018 Top Safety Pick winners so far:

Acura MDX

Acura RDX

Alfa Romeo Giulia

Audi A3

Audi A4

BMW 3 Series sedan

Buick Envision

Chevrolet Volt

Chrysler Pacifica

Honda Accord

Honda CR-V

Honda Odyssey

Honda Pilot

Honda Ridgeline

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai Elantra GT

Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai Tucson

Kia Cadenza

Kia Optima

Kia Sorento

Kia Sportage

Lexus ES

Lexus IS

Lexus NX

Lexus RX

Mazda3

Mazda CX-3

Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-9

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Mitsubishi Outlander

Nissan Altima

Nissan Maxima

Nissan Rogue

Subaru Crosstrek

Subaru Forester

Toyota Avalon

Toyota Corolla

Toyota Highlander

Toyota Prius

Toyota Prius Prime

Toyota RAV4

Volvo S60

Volvo V60

Volvo XC60

Source: IIHS