IIHS 2025–2026 crash tests: Top Safety Pick+ winners, misses
IIHS crash-test results 2025–2026: Top Safety Pick+ winners and notable misses
IIHS 2025–2026 crash tests: Top Safety Pick+ winners, misses
IIHS releases 2025–2026 crash-test results: six models earn Top Safety Pick+, three get Top Safety Pick. See winners, stricter criteria, and key misses.
2025-10-29T00:36:27+03:00
2025-10-29T00:36:27+03:00
2025-10-29T00:36:27+03:00
The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released fresh crash-test results, handing out honors to nine models from the 2025–2026 model years. Six vehicles secured the top-rated Top Safety Pick+, while three earned the Top Safety Pick designation.Among the Top Safety Pick+ recipients are the Audi A5, Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron, BMW X3, Ford Explorer, Hyundai Ioniq 9, and Kia Sportage. For the BMW X3, Explorer, and Sportage, the award applies only to vehicles built after spring 2025, when manufacturers upgraded headlights and strengthened body protection. The timing shows how targeted lighting and structural updates can tip the balance.The more modest Top Safety Pick went to the Hyundai Santa Cruz, Nissan Rogue, and Toyota Corolla Cross. Most participants delivered strong results in pedestrian crash-avoidance and side-impact evaluations, although the Santa Cruz managed only an acceptable rating—solid overall, with a notable caveat.IIHS also clarified that several models, including the Audi Q4 e-tron, Kia EV6, and Toyota 4Runner, did not pass testing due to weak performance in the frontal crash assessment and issues with rear-seat belt systems. It underscores how rear-occupant protection remains under close scrutiny.Experts noted that the 2025 criteria are the strictest in recent years: to earn the top award, a vehicle must not only score a good result in crash tests but also provide high-quality headlights across every trim. It is a demanding bar that leaves little room for compromise.
IIHS, crash tests, Top Safety Pick+, 2025, 2026, Audi A5, Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron, BMW X3, Ford Explorer, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Santa Cruz, Nissan Rogue, Toyota Corolla Cross
2025
Michael Powers
news
IIHS crash-test results 2025–2026: Top Safety Pick+ winners and notable misses
IIHS releases 2025–2026 crash-test results: six models earn Top Safety Pick+, three get Top Safety Pick. See winners, stricter criteria, and key misses.
Michael Powers, Editor
The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released fresh crash-test results, handing out honors to nine models from the 2025–2026 model years. Six vehicles secured the top-rated Top Safety Pick+, while three earned the Top Safety Pick designation.
Among the Top Safety Pick+ recipients are the Audi A5, Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron, BMW X3, Ford Explorer, Hyundai Ioniq 9, and Kia Sportage. For the BMW X3, Explorer, and Sportage, the award applies only to vehicles built after spring 2025, when manufacturers upgraded headlights and strengthened body protection. The timing shows how targeted lighting and structural updates can tip the balance.
The more modest Top Safety Pick went to the Hyundai Santa Cruz, Nissan Rogue, and Toyota Corolla Cross. Most participants delivered strong results in pedestrian crash-avoidance and side-impact evaluations, although the Santa Cruz managed only an acceptable rating—solid overall, with a notable caveat.
IIHS also clarified that several models, including the Audi Q4 e-tron, Kia EV6, and Toyota 4Runner, did not pass testing due to weak performance in the frontal crash assessment and issues with rear-seat belt systems. It underscores how rear-occupant protection remains under close scrutiny.
Experts noted that the 2025 criteria are the strictest in recent years: to earn the top award, a vehicle must not only score a good result in crash tests but also provide high-quality headlights across every trim. It is a demanding bar that leaves little room for compromise.
