Vehicles Close Year With Safety Nods
19 are awarded one of IIHS’ two top awards, while two fail to place.
The 2024 Mach-E is one of 10 models winning IIHS' top safety award.
Ford
Nineteen models across 11 auto brands earned one of two top safety awards after recent rounds of testing.
The nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said some of the 10 new winners of its highest-level award, Top Safety Pick+, hadn’t earlier undergone a front crash test required for that nod but passed it in their first go-round to achieve the distinction.
Nine other models won the second-highest award, the Top Safety Pick.
A mix of 2024 and 2025 models underwent testing.
Winning the top award were the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Infiniti QX60, Mazda CX-70 and CX-70 PHEV, Mercedes-Benz C Class and GLC, Rivian R1S, Subaru Forester, Toyota Tundra crew cab and Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid.
The Top Safety Pick winners are the Audi Q8, Ford F-150 crew cab and F-150 extended cab, Infiniti QX80, Kia K4, Mercedes-Benz E Class, Nissan Kicks, and Toyota Corolla sedan and Crown Signia.
Some versions of certain models are excluded from the award designations based on when they were manufactured.
Two models IIHS tested in the recent rounds failed to earn either award: the 2024 Cadillac Lyriq, which was disqualified due to headlights deemed “poor,” and the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport, which achieved only an “acceptable” side crash test rating.
DIG DEEPER: Vehicle Safety Ratings More Technical
Originally posted on F&I and Showroom
More Industry
Charger Network Growth Slows
Despite a projected increase in public EV chargers in 2026, charging infrastructure remains a top concern for consumers as the gap between the most and least EV-friendly places remains substantial.
Read More →
Lenders, Consumers Take on More Auto Loan Risk
September records loosened credit access the most in over a decade as buyers took advantage of the conditions to afford trading, though loan applications fell.
Read More →
Next-Gen Hybrids in Sight
Dealerships can expect to see revamped hybrids from Honda next year as the company rolls out a new system and model lineup.
Read More →
Gem State Stores Change Hands
A larger auto group founded in the industry’s early years sold two franchises to a neighbor group that's on a growth spurt.
Read More →
Charging In Motion
Honda has been researching wireless in-motion charging for electric vehicles since 2025, and new technology developments have put it a step closer to a final product.
Read More →
Twin Cities Stores Sell
Minnesota-based Walser Automotive Group made what it called the most significant acquisition in its history with a three-rooftop deal in Minneapolis.
Read More →
U.S. Auto Sales Still Below Prepandemic Levels
Mobility Global industry observers don’t expect the market to return to the higher volumes that became routine before Covid but to stay well below its potential.
Read More →
The Powertrain Shift
Electric-vehicle owners are backpedaling, according to new data, with product availability driving many to shift back to gas-powered engines.
Read More →
Achromatic Autos
The shades that dominate the U.S. car market don’t call attention to themselves, though grayscale may have plateaued after a 30-year upswing, research shows.
Read More →
Used-Vehicle Affordability Worsens
Listing prices in August defied seasonal trends, rising above $27,000 for the second time this year.
Read More →