Everyone knows that driving a car is an integral part of American life: According to data from Forbes, 91.7% of U.S. households own at least one car, while 37% have two or more vehicles.
The $32 billion automotive industry is expected to nearly double in size by 2030, thanks to jaw-dropping advancements in technology that are creating more efficient, comfortable, and — above all — safer vehicles that consumers want to buy.
Along with the rise in popularity of electric motor vehicles, which obtain higher gas mileage while releasing fewer hazardous emissions, consumers have demanded more comfortable driving experiences: Navigation systems, smartphone integration, and even infotainment systems now come standard on almost every new model.
But perhaps the industry’s greatest advancement is the one that answers consumers’ most basic need: To get them and their loved ones from point A to B safely.
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According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, while the U.S. population has increased since 1975, the rate of crash deaths per 100,000 people was actually 38% lower in 2022 than it was in 1975. This is due to more widespread seat belt usage and significant improvements in safety technology, like airbags and antilock brakes.
Advancements in automatic emergency braking systems and rear seat crash protection are also helping to save lives — not only in the driver’s seat, but for passengers and pedestrians, too.
It’s always critical for drivers to do their part to be defensive on the road by staying attentive to their surroundings, avoiding distractions, and maintaining a safe distance between other vehicles, but having better-built vehicles goes a long way in making our roads safer, too.
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What is the IIHS’ crash test criteria?
Every year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an independent safety organization backed by the insurance industry, conducts a series of crash tests on new vehicles, evaluating both driver and passenger sides. Its battery includes:
Moderate overlap front tests, which measure a head-on collision between two vehiclesSmall overlap front tests, which measure the impact of hitting a light pole or treeSide crash tests, which test the impact of a large moving barrierHeadlights and front crash prevention system tests, which measure headlight efficacy, collision warning, and automatic emergency braking systems
Vehicles are rated as Advanced, Superior, Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor. The highest-rated vehicles earn the designation of either Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+.
What is the difference between Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+?
The Top Safety Pick+ designation, introduced by the IIHS in 2013, has even more stringent safety requirements than the Top Safety Pick designation, although vehicles from both categories perform well in crash tests and are considered safe overall.
Top Safety Pick
To be designated as a Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn Good (or above) ratings in these categories:
Small overlap front testModerate overlap front test
It must be rated Acceptable or above in the following:
Updated side testHeadlight test
And it must receive a rating of Advanced or Superior in this area:
Daytime and nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention
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Top Safety Pick+
To earn the most coveted distinction, the Top Safety Pick+, vehicles must earn the following:
A rating of Good or above in the small overlap front test, moderate overlap front test, and updated side test.It must also be rated Acceptable or above in the headlight test.It must be rated Advanced or Superior in daytime and nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention.
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What are the 2024 Top Safety Pick+ vehicles?
Most of this year’s winners were small and mid-sized SUVs, with Genesis, Hyundai, and Kia earning the highest marks. Toyota, Lexus, and Mazda rounded out the top 3. Only one truck, from Rivian, made it onto the list:
Small Cars
2024 Acura Integra 4-door hatchback
2025 Honda Civic 4-door sedan
2024 Mazda 3 4-door (hatchback and sedan)
2024 Toyota Prius 4-door hatchback
Mid-sized cars
2024 Honda Accord 4-door sedan
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 4-door sedan
2025 Toyota Camry 4-door sedan
Large luxury cars
2024 Genesis Electrified G80 4-door sedan
2024 Genesis G80 4-door sedan (built after October 2023)
2024 Genesis G90 4-door sedan (built after October 2023)
Small SUVs
2024 Genesis GV60 4-door SUV
2024 Honda HR-V 4-door SUV
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 4-door SUV
2024 Hyundai Kona 4-door SUV
2024 Hyundai Tucson 4-door SUV (built after March 2024)
2024 Mazda CX-30 4-door SUV
2024 Mazda CX-50 4-door SUV (built after August 2023)
2024 Subaru Solterra 4-door SUV
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Mid-size SUVs
2024 Ford Explorer 4-door SUV
2025 Honda Pilot 4-door SUV
2024 Kia Telluride 4-door SUV
2024 Mazda CX-90 4-door SUV
2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV 4-door SUV
2024 Nissan Pathfinder 4-door SUV (built after November 2023)
2024 Subaru Ascent 4-door SUV
Mid-size luxury SUVs
2024 Acura MDX 4-door SUV
2024 BMW X3 4-door SUV
2025 BMW X5 4-door SUV
2024 Genesis Electrified GV70 4-door SUV (built after April 2024)
2024 Genesis GV70 4-door SUV 4-door SUV (built after April 2024)
2024 Genesis GV80 4-door SUV (built after August 2023)
2024 Lexus NX 4-door SUV
2024 Lincoln Nautilus 4-door SUV
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE Class 4-door SUV (with optional front crash prevention)
2024 Tesla Model Y 4-door SUV
2024 Volvo XC90 4-door SUV
Large pickups
2024 Rivian R1T crew cab pickup
The IIHS’ testing criteria has changed through the years as vehicle designs have evolved.
ljubaphoto; Getty Images
What are the 2024 Top Safety Pick vehicles?
Minivans and large pickup trucks appeared on the list of Top Safety Picks:
Small cars
2025 Honda Civic 4-door hatchback
2024 Hyundai Elantra 4-door sedan
2025 Mini Countryman 4-door hatchback
2024 Subaru Impreza 4-door wagon
2024 Subaru WRX 4-door sedan
2024 Toyota Prius Prime. 4-door hatchback
Mid-size cars
2024 Hyundai Sonata 4-door sedan
2024 Subaru Outback 4-door wagon
2024 Toyota Camry 4-door sedan
Mid-size luxury cars
2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4-door sedan
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Large cars
2024 Toyota Crown 4-door sedan
Large luxury cars
2024-25 BMW 5 series 4-door sedan
Small SUVs
2024 BMW X1 4-door SUV
2024-25 BMW X2 4-door SUV
2024 Honda CR-V 4-door SUV
2024 Kia Sportage 4-door SUV
2024 Lexus RZ 4-door SUV
2024 Lexus UX 4-door SUV
Mid-size SUVs
2024 Honda Pilot 4-door SUV
2024 Hyundai Palisade 4-door SUV
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe 4-door SUV
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4-door SUV
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L 4-door SUV
2024 Kia EV9 4-door SUV (built after January 2024)
2024 Kia Sorento 4-door SUV
2025 Mazda CX-70 4-door SUV
2025 Mazda CX-70 PHEV 4-door SUV
2024 Nissan Ariya 4-door SUV
2024 Toyota Highlander 4-door SUV
2024 Volkswagen Atlas4-door SUV
2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 4-door SUV
2024 Volkswagen ID.4 4-door SUV
Mid-size luxury SUVs
2024 Acura RDX 4-door SUV
2024 Audi Q4 e-tron 4-door SUV
2024 Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron 4-door SUV
2024 Genesis GV70 4-door SUV
2024 Infiniti QX60 4-door SUV
2024 Lexus NX Plus-In Hybrid 4-door SUV
2024 Lexus RX 4-door SUV
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 4-door SUV
2024 Tesla Model Y AWD 4-door SUV
2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge 4-door SUV
Large SUVs
2024 Audi Q7 4-door SUV
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron 4-door SUV
2024 Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron 4-door SUV
2024 Jeep Wagoneer 4-door SUV
2024 Rivian R1S 4-door SUV
Minivans
2024 Honda Odyssey minivan
2024 Toyota Sienna minivan
Small pickups
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz crew cab pickup
2024 Toyota Tacoma crew cab pickup
Large pickups
2024 Toyota Tundra crew cab pickup
2024 Toyota Tundra extended cab pickup
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