Tougher test standards mean fewer cars are earning the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick Awards this year. The IIHS updated its moderate overlap front crash test by adding a dummy in the rear seat behind the driver, which represents a small woman or child, to collect injury data.
So far, only 48 models have qualified for the institute's Top Safety Pick and Pick+ awards for 2025. That's down from 71 compared to this time last year. Most of America's best-selling vehicles, including the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Toyota RAV4—the top three sellers of 2024—are not on there. Among the 10 best-selling cars in America, only the Toyota Camry and Honda Civic earn awards. They get Pick+ and Pick awards, respectively.
To earn IIHS's Top Safety Pick or Pick+ Award, cars have to receive a Good rating in the small overlap front crash test, a Good rating in the updated side test, and Acceptable or Good ratings for pedestrian front crash prevention and headlights. The only thing separating a Pick and Pick+ car is the updated moderate small overlap front crash test. An Acceptable rating earns the Pick, while Good gets the Pick+.
"The new emphasis on back seat protection appears to have winnowed minivans and pickups from the winners' ranks," Harkey said. However, there are several cars, crossovers, and SUVs that still make the list. The only trucks to earn a Top Safety award are the Toyota Tundra and Rivian R1T. Other Top Safety award winners include the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Honda Accord, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Genesis G90, Chevrolet Traverse, Lexus NX, and many more.
Check out the Top Safety Pick and Pick+ winners list on the IIHS website.
