If you are in the market for a new car, you may look at the body style, color, or size when making a decision; but one of the biggest factors to consider is safety. Picking a vehicle that will protect you and your passengers is a huge consideration; so before you head out to purchase a new car, find out the list of IIHS safest cars for 2018.

Raising the Bar 

Art picture of crashed car

The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) is raising the bar for the cars receiving Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards. In fact, only 15 cars received the Top Safety Pick+ Award, while 47 received the Top Safety Pick Award. The good news is that with tougher regulations/standards, the safety of the cars on the roads and highways is rising. The IIHS has testing benchmarks that test the safety of cars based on common crashes, which include front, rear, side and rollover types. Additional criteria have now come into consideration, which includes testing on headlights and passenger side crash safety. Those cars that meet the criteria for safest in all these categories are the cars that win the Safety Top Pick+ Awards.

Passenger Side Front Crash Test

It is difficult, given the tougher criteria, for a car manufacturer to get the Safety Top Pick+ Award. In order to get this award, the car must meet the above mentioned benchmarks, but also have good rated headlights and must score well on a NEW passenger side “small overlap front crash test.” What this test shows is how safe the right front passenger would be if that particular car was involved in a serious frontal crash on their side of the car.

In the past, manufacturers didn’t pay close attention to the safety of front, right side passengers, but now with tougher regulations, they are noticing and making big strides in the safety of these front passengers. Hopefully what was previously not given much attention will become the norm in the future.

Hyundai and Subaru Are the Top Contenders 

If you are thinking about purchasing a Hyundai or Subaru, you are in luck. These manufacturers are in the lead for having the most Top Safety Pick+
awards.

Leading the pack of manufacturers of the 15 Top Safety Pick+ with 6 awards is Hyundai, while Subaru has four. Some other mentionable safe vehicles for 2018, as outlined by the IIHS, are Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, BMW, and Ford.

Falling under the 2nd tier (Top Safety Pick) is Toyota Motor Corporation with 10 vehicles, and Subaru with 9.

The Top Rated Small Cars:

  • Kia Forte Sedan
  • Kia Soul
  • Subaru Impreza (4-door sedan/4-door wagon)
  • Subaru WRX

The Top Rated Midsize Cars:

  • Subaru Legacy
  • Subaru Outback
  • Toyota Camry

Large Luxury Cars:

  • BMW 5 series
  • Genesis G80
  • Genesis G90
  • Lincoln Continental
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan

Midsize SUVs:

  • Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
  • Mercedes-Benz GLC

To view the entire list of the IIHS Top Safety Pick awards, please visit the iihs.org website.

Contact Us Today

If you are in the market for a new vehicle or have any questions regarding IIHS safest cars for 2018, contact us today at 866-869-3335 and we will be able to answer your questions and provide any N.C. auto insurance information you may need.

 

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