2025 IIHS Safety Awards: Stricter Standards Yield Fewer Top Safety Pick Winners

The automotive safety landscape has become more demanding as the IIHS implements its most stringent crash-test requirements yet for the coveted Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards. Our analysis reveals significant changes in vehicle safety evaluation that every car buyer should understand.

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Understanding the 2025 IIHS Safety Award Changes

The reduced number of award winners doesn't indicate vehicles are becoming less safe. Rather, IIHS has:

• Fully implemented its enhanced moderate overlap front crash test
• Raised scoring thresholds for both award tiers
• Added rear passenger safety as a critical evaluation factor

The Evolution of Crash Testing Standards

IIHS began phasing in its updated moderate overlap front crash test in 2022. The 2025 awards mark the first year where:

• The new test completely replaces the previous version
• All vehicles must meet updated scoring requirements
• Rear passenger protection carries equal weight to front occupant safety

2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick Award Winners

These vehicles met the rigorous acceptable rating in the updated moderate overlap test while excelling in other safety categories:

2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award Winners

These models achieved the highest "good" rating in the updated moderate overlap test along with superior performance across all safety evaluations:

IIHS President David Harkey noted, "The new emphasis on back seat protection appears to have winnowed minivans and pickups from the winners' ranks. This is particularly concerning as these vehicle types are often marketed as family vehicles."

Breaking Down the 2025 IIHS Crash Test Requirements

The updated evaluation process introduces significant changes that separate the Top Safety Pick from Top Safety Pick+ awards:

Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: The Key Differentiator

The enhanced test maintains the same basic structure but with crucial additions:

• Speed: 40 mph impact into deformable barrier covering 40% of vehicle width
• New Evaluation Metric: Added rear-seat dummy representing a small woman or 12-year-old child
• Scoring Thresholds: "Acceptable" rating required for Top Safety Pick, "Good" for Top Safety Pick+

Automakers have implemented various solutions to meet these requirements. Hyundai, for example, improved the 2024 Tucson's performance simply by modifying rear seatbelts.

Other Critical Safety Evaluations

Vehicles must still excel in these unchanged tests to qualify for either award:

• Small Overlap Front Test: Simulates 40 mph impact with rigid barrier covering 25% of vehicle width (both driver and passenger sides)
• Side-Impact Test: Evaluates protection when T-boned by an SUV-equivalent barrier moving at 37 mph
• Front Crash Prevention: Requires good or acceptable ratings for standard systems
• Headlight Performance: Must achieve good or acceptable ratings for standard headlights
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What These Changes Mean for Car Buyers

The updated IIHS standards provide several important benefits for consumers:

Enhanced Rear Passenger Protection

With the new moderate overlap test evaluating back seat safety, families can make more informed decisions about vehicle choices for transporting children or smaller adults.

Clearer Safety Differentiation

The stricter requirements create more meaningful distinctions between vehicles that meet minimum safety standards and those that excel in protection.

Future-Proofed Safety Standards

As IIHS continues raising the bar, automakers must innovate safety technologies to keep pace, ultimately benefiting all vehicle occupants.