The ante has been upped.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released its annual automobile safety rankings for 2024, which uses tougher criteria than before.
The side-impact test features a heavier barrier slamming into the vehicle at a higher speed, the automatic emergency braking evaluation puts more weight on nighttime pedestrian detection, and the moderate front overlap test takes rear seat passenger safety into account.
Good or acceptable headlights across all trims of a model lineup are also required to be awarded a Top Safety Pick+ or Top Safety Pick designation.
TRUCKS AND SUVS WITH TALL AND BLUNT FRONT ENDS ARE ACTUALLY MORE DEADLY, IIHS STUDY FINDS
As a result, only 22 vehicles received a Top Safety Pick+ award and 49 a Top Safety Pick award.
Hyundai Motor Group (Hyundai, Kia and Genesis) led the way with six vehicles at the Top Safety Pick+ level and 16 Top Safety Picks.
Toyota Motor Corp. (Toyota and Lexus) was second among automakers with one Top Safety Pick+ and 12 Top Safety Picks.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE AMERICAN CARS AND RACING YOUTUBE CHANNEL
The small, midsize and midsize luxury SUV classes led the way with five Top Safety Pick+ awards each.
“The high number of SUVs that earn awards probably reflects the dominance of those vehicles in the U.S. market,†IIHS President David Harkey said in a press release.
SEE IT: RIVIAN PICKUP DESTROYS GUARDRAIL IN CRASH TEST
“But it’s disappointing that only four pickups and four midsize cars earn awards, considering the popularity of those classes.â€
Here are the full lists of Top Safety Pick+ and Top Safety Pick vehicles for 2024:
Top Safety Pick+
Small cars:
Acura Integra
Mazda 3 hatchback
Mazda 3 sedan
Toyota Prius
Midsize cars:
Honda Accord
Hyundai Ioniq 6
Large luxury car:
Genesis Electrified G80
Small SUVs:
Genesis GV60
Honda HR-V
Hyundai Kona
Mazda CX-30
Mazda CX-50 (built after August 2023)
Midsize SUVs:
Ford Explorer
Kia Telluride
Mazda CX-90
Nissan Pathfinder
2023 Subaru Ascent
Midsize Luxury SUVs:
Acura MDX
BMW X3
Genesis GV80 (built after August 2023)
Mercedes-Benz GLE Class (with optional front crash prevention)
Tesla Model Y
Top Safety Pick
Small cars:
Hyundai Elantra
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Prius Prime
Midsize cars:
Subaru Outback
Toyota Camry
Large car:
Toyota Crown
Midsize luxury cars:
BMW 5 series
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Large luxury cars:
Genesis G80
Genesis G90
Small SUVs:
BMW X1
Honda CR-V
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Hyundai Tucson
Kia Sportage
Lexus UX
Lexus RZ
Subaru Solterra
Midsize SUVs
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Palisade
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Mazda CX-90 PHEV
Nissan Ariya
Toyota Highlander
Volkswagen Atlas
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Large SUVs:
Audi Q7
Audi Q8 e-tron
Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron
Rivian R1S
Midsize luxury SUVs:
Acura RDX
Audi Q4 e-tron
Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron
Genesis Electrified GV70
Genesis GV70 (built after November 2023)
Infiniti QX60
Lexus NX
Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid
Lexus RX
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Volvo XC90
Volvo XC90 Recharge
Minivans:
Honda Odyssey
Toyota Sienna
Small pickup:
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Large pickups:
Rivian R1T crew cab
Toyota Tundra crew cab
Toyota Tundra extended cab