The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which conducts various crash tests in the U.S., has given 71 Top Safety Pick awards for 2015, up from 39 this time last year. The number of winners in the top tier — Top Safety Pick+ — has increased by 11 for 2015 despite a tougher standard for front crash prevention.
More specifically, there are 33 Top Safety Pick+ winners and 38 Top Safety Pick winners. As a result of the change in criteria for 2015, 15 vehicles that qualified for 2014 Top Safety Pick+ are now simply Top Safety Pick winners.
Automakers have been working harder in recent years to make their vehicles safe, and the 2015 edition of the IIHS awards proves it.
2015 Top Safety Pick+ winners
Small cars:
- Lexus CT 200h (built after September 2014)
- Mazda3
- Subaru Impreza
- Subaru XV Crosstrek
- Toyota Prius
Midsize cars:
- Chrysler 200
- Subaru Legacy
- Subaru Outback
- Toyota Camry
- Toyota Prius v
Midsize luxury cars:
- Acura TLX
- Audi A3
- BMW 2 Series
- Infiniti Q50
- Volvo S60
- Volvo V60
Large family cars:
- Toyota Avalon
Large luxury cars:
- Acura RLX
- Hyundai Genesis
- Infiniti Q70 (except V8 AWD model)
- Lexus RC
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- Volvo S80
Small SUVs:
- Honda CR-V
- Mazda CX-5
- Mitsubishi Outlander
- Subaru Forester
Midsize SUVs:
- Toyota Highlander
Midsize luxury SUVs:
- Acura MDX
- Lexus NX
- Mercedes-Benz M-Class
- Volvo XC60
Minivans:
- Toyota Sienna
2015 Top Safety Pick winners
Minicars:
- Chevrolet Spark
- Honda Fit
Small cars:
- Chevrolet Volt
- Dodge Dart
- Ford C-MAX Hybrid
- Ford Focus
- Honda Civic (coupe and sedan)
- Hyundai Elantra (sedan)
- Kia Soul
- MINI Cooper Countryman
- Mitsubishi Lancer (except Ralliart and Evolution)
- Scion FR-S
- Scion tC
- Subaru BRZ
- Subaru WRX
- Volkswagen Golf (5 doors)
- Volkswagen GTI (5 doors)
Midsize cars:
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Ford Fusion
- Honda Accord (coupe and sedan)
- Hyundai Sonata
- Kia Optima
- Nissan Altima
- Volkswagen Jetta
- Volkswagen Passat
Midsize luxury cars:
- Lincoln MKZ
Small SUVs:
- Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
- Nissan Rogue
- Toyota RAV4 (built after November 2014)
Midsize SUVs:
- Chevrolet Equinox
- GMC Terrain
- Nissan Pathfinder
Midsize luxury SUVs:
- Infiniti QX60
Minivans:
- Honda Odyssey
- Kia Sedona
Source: IIHS