2016 IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus and Top Safety Picks Revealed

Some automakers are getting an early Christmas gift this morning as are millions of motorists.

The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety has awarded 82 new vehicles as the top safety picks for 2017.

Of the 82 vehicles awarded, 38 earned the even higher ranking of Top Safety Pick Plus, for earning good ratings in five crash test evaluations.

Also for having effective features that can prevent crashes, such as automatic braking systems and headlights rated at least acceptable.

Toyota led the automakers with nine of its 2017 models making the list. Honda had five. 

Thirteen cars made by General Motors(GM), earned the Top Safety Pick award. Including the Buick Encore, which earned the highest scores on the crash tests, but that vehicle does not offer automatic braking.

You may wonder how the vehicles are scored - a vehicle can make the Top Safety Pick list by getting a "Good rating" in the small overlap front test, the moderate overlap front crash, side crash, roof strength and head resistant tests.

To be awarded the Top Safety Pick+ award, a vehicle need to get a "Good" rating on all of the above and also must have a frontal collision autobraking system that scores "Advanced" or "Superior."

Here are the complete lists:

 

2016 Top Safety Pick+ List

Minicar: Scion iA
Small cars: Acura ILX, Lexus CT 200h, Mazda3, Subaru Crosstrek, Subaru Impreza, Subaru WRX, Volkswagen Golf (four-door and SportWagen models), and Volkswagen GTI (4-door)
Midsize moderately priced cars: Chrysler 200, Honda Accord coupe, Honda Accord sedan, Mazda 6, Nissan Maxima, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Toyota Camry, Toyota Prius V, Volkswagen Jetta, and Volkswagen Passat
Midsize luxury/near-luxury cars: Audi A3, BMW 2 Series, Lexus ES, Volvo S60, and Volvo V60
Large family car: Toyota Avalon
Large luxury cars: Acura RLX, Audi A6 (built after January 2015), Hyundai Genesis, Infiniti Q70 (not V8 AWD models), Lexus RC, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Volvo S80
Small SUVs: Fiat 500X (built after July 2015), Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4
Midsize SUVs: Honda Pilot and Nissan Murano
Midsize luxury SUVs: Acura MDX, Acura RDX, Audi Q5, Lexus NX, Volvo XC60, and Volvo XC90

2016 Top Safety Pick List

Small cars: Chevrolet Sonic, Kia Soul, and Nissan Sentra (autobrake not tested)
Midsize moderately priced car: Chevrolet Malibu Limited (fleet model)
Small SUVs: Buick Encore and Nissan Rogue (autobrake not tested)
Midsize SUVs: Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, and Kia Sorento
Midsize luxury SUV: Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class (autobrake not tested)
Minivans: Honda Odyssey and Kia Sedona

Large pickup: Ford F-150 SuperCrew

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