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19 Cars Recognized with IIHS Top Safety Pick Awards for Outstanding Crash Protection
2024 IIHS Safety Award Winners: The Safest Vehicles on the Road
Featured Snippet: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded 19 additional vehicles Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ status in its latest testing round, bringing the 2024 totals to 56 Top Safety Pick and 48 Top Safety Pick+ winners. These awards recognize vehicles that excel in crash protection, accident avoidance technology, and headlight performance.
Vehicle safety continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with automakers implementing advanced protection systems and structural improvements to meet increasingly rigorous testing standards. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), one of the most respected independent safety evaluators in North America, has recently announced its latest round of Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards for 2024 models.
Understanding IIHS Safety Ratings
IIHS evaluates vehicles through a comprehensive series of crash tests and safety assessments, assigning ratings of Poor, Marginal, Acceptable, or Good. To qualify for either safety award, vehicles must meet strict criteria across multiple categories:
- Crashworthiness: Good ratings in driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests
- Front Crash Prevention: Advanced or Superior rating in vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations
- Headlights: At least Acceptable-rated headlight systems
The Top Safety Pick+ designation represents the highest honor, requiring vehicles to meet additional stringent requirements in the updated moderate overlap front test that evaluates rear passenger protection.
Latest Top Safety Pick Award Winners
Vehicles Earning Top Safety Pick Status
- Audi Q8 (2024-25 models)
- Ford F-150 (crew cab and extended cab models built after September 2024)
- Infiniti QX80 (2025 model)
- Kia K4 (2025 models built before November 2024)
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2024-25 models)
- Nissan Kicks (2025 models built after July 2024)
- Toyota Corolla Sedan (2025 model)
- Toyota Crown Signia (2025 model)
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Elite Top Safety Pick+ Honorees
Vehicles Achieving Top Safety Pick+ Status
- Ford Mustang Mach-E (2024 models built after August 2024)
- Infiniti QX60 (2024-25 models)
- Mazda CX-70 (2025 model)
- Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid (2025 model)
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2024-25 models)
- Mercedes-Benz GLC (2024-25 models)
- Rivian R1S (2025 model)
- Subaru Forester (2025 model, excluding Wilderness trim)
- Toyota Tundra crew cab (2025 model)
- Volvo XC90 Recharge (2024-25 models)
The Evolution of IIHS Testing Standards
For 2024, IIHS introduced significant updates to its testing protocol, reflecting real-world accident data and emerging safety concerns. The most notable change involves the updated moderate overlap front test, which now evaluates protection for rear-seat occupants in addition to front passengers.
Key Changes in 2024 Testing:
- Rear Passenger Evaluation: A second dummy is now positioned behind the driver to assess rear seat safety
- Enhanced Side Impact Criteria: Stricter requirements for side-impact protection
- Pedestrian Detection: More rigorous evaluation of automatic emergency braking systems
These changes have prompted automakers to implement various safety enhancements, particularly for rear-seat occupants. Many manufacturers have improved their results through relatively simple but effective measures like:
- Advanced seat belt pretensioners that react faster in collisions
- Improved rear seat structure and padding
- Enhanced side curtain airbags with extended coverage
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Vehicles That Nearly Made the Cut
IIHS also evaluated several other popular models that fell just short of award status. The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq electric SUV showed strong crashworthiness but was disqualified due to its Poor-rated headlights. Similarly, the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport received an Acceptable rating in the side-impact test, preventing it from earning either safety award.
Why These Safety Ratings Matter
IIHS safety awards serve as crucial indicators for consumers prioritizing protection in their vehicle purchases. According to IIHS research, vehicles earning Top Safety Pick status demonstrate:
- 28% lower death rates compared to non-winning vehicles in real-world crashes
- Significantly reduced injury risk in frontal and side collisions
- Superior accident avoidance through advanced driver assistance systems
How to Verify a Vehicle's Safety Rating
Consumers can check the complete list of 2024 IIHS safety award winners on the official IIHS website. When shopping for a vehicle, keep these important considerations in mind:
- Verify the specific build date for applicable models (some awards only apply to vehicles manufactured after certain dates)
- Check for any trim-level exceptions (some awards don't apply to performance or off-road trims)
- Confirm that all safety features are included in the specific trim level you're considering
The Future of Vehicle Safety
As IIHS continues to raise the bar for safety excellence, automakers are responding with innovative protection systems. Emerging technologies likely to influence future safety ratings include:
- Advanced Rear Occupant Protection: More sophisticated seat belt systems and airbag configurations
- Improved Pedestrian Safety: Enhanced detection systems and exterior airbags
- Cyclist Detection: Expanding automatic emergency braking capabilities
- Night Vision Enhancement: Better headlight performance and infrared systems
For consumers, these ongoing advancements mean progressively safer vehicles that offer superior protection for all occupants. When considering your next vehicle purchase, prioritizing IIHS safety award winners can provide peace of mind and potentially life-saving protection for you and your passengers.
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Last Updated On May, 19-2025