The 17 Safest New US-Made Vehicles
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) regularly updates its crash-test criteria to encourage automakers to improve their products with the best designs and latest safety technology.
Top performers get a Top Safety Pick award, but only best in each size class are given the Top Safety Pick+ title that represents the highest level of crash safety in a given size class.
Earning the rank requires a Good rating in the small overlap front test; an Acceptable or Good rating in the moderate overlap front test; a Good rating in the updated side test; an Acceptable or Good rating in the headlights standard; and an Acceptable or Good rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention test.
Of the 48 Top Safety Pick+ vehicles that made the final list of new tests in 2024, here are the only ones that are assembled in the United States.
2024 ACURA INTEGRA
The Ohio-built Acura Integra received Good scores in all categories except for the headlights, which were rated Acceptable.
2024 HONDA ACCORD
The Ohio-built Honda Accord was nearly a slam dunk, receiving only an Acceptable score for its its pedestrian detecting automatic emergency braking feature, which underperformed at night while using the low beams.
2024-2025 HYUNDAI TUCSON
The Hyundai Tucson was updated for 2025, but remains largely the same vehicle and and all of the Alabama-built SUVs produced after March 2024 get the Top Safety Pick+ rating.
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2024 FORD EXPLORER
The Chicago-built Ford Explorer was rated Acceptable for headlights and front crash protection, but scored Good in the other categories to make the list.
2025 HONDA PILOT
Honda updated the Alabama-built Pilot SUV for 2025 with improved rear seat belts that helped it earn Good scores on all but the moderate front overlap test, for which it received an Acceptable rating.
2024 KIA TELLURIDE
The Georgia-built Kia Telluride swept all of the main categories with Good scores.
2024 MAZDA CX-50
The Alabama-built Mazda CX-50 scored Good in all categories except for headlights where non-turbo models received an Acceptable rating for their headlights, which aren’t as good as the ones equipped on vehicles powered by the turbocharged engine option. (Note: the rating only applies to vehicles built after August 2023.)
2024-2025 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE
Mercedes-Benz’s best selling model in the U.S. is built in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and several trims get perfect Good ratings across the board while those with the standard pedestrian detection technology get an Acceptable score for that feature.
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2024 NISSAN PATHFINDER
The Tennessee-built Nissan Pathfinder put in a strong performance with only its headlight rating getting an Acceptable score.
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2024 SUBARU ASCENT
The Indiana-built Subaru Ascent was rated Acceptable for the moderate overlap front test but Good on all others.
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2024 ACURA MDX
The Ohio-built Acura MDX split its scores with Acceptable ratings for the moderate overlap front test and front pedestrian crash prevention.
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2024 BMW X3
The South Carolina-made BMW X3 lives up to its German luxury quality reputation with perfect Good scores across the board.
2024 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE
The Alabama-built Mercedes-Benz GLE only gets the Top Safety Pick+ rating if it has the optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function that is rated Acceptable on the front pedestrian crash protection test as the standard version gets a Marginal score.
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2024 TESLA MODEL Y
Elon Musk likes to tout the safety of his vehicles and the Tesla Model Y gets five Good ratings in the main categories.
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2025 RIVIAN R1S
The Illinois-built Rivian R1S received Good scores across the board except for its headlights, which were rated Acceptable.
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2024 RIVIAN R1T
The Rivian R1T that shares its platform with the R1S is the only pickup with a Top Safety Pick+ rating, scoring Good in all categories except for an Acceptable rating on the front pedestrian crash protection evaluation.
2025 TOYOTA TUNDRA
The Tundra is built in San Antonio, Tex., and was given Good scores in most categories including headlights, although some trims were rated Acceptable, as was its standard pedestrian detection technology.
This story has been updated with the latest information
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