The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released its list of 2015 Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ vehicles, and the total number increased from 39 to 71. This is a significant change considering the agency's criteria have become more stringent this year.
Related: Traffic Deaths Down 3.1 Percent in 2013
The differentiating factor between the two designations is that to earn the Top Safety Pick+ a car must have some form of collision avoidance available. For 2015 year the technology must feature automatic braking of some kind to get the award. A warning of impact is not enough.
Cars still have to earn top marks in four tests including front and side crash tests as well as roof strength. They must also earn a top score of good or a second-rated score of acceptable in the newer small front overlap test to make the grade.
The small overlap test has proven difficult for some automakers to pass. The IIHS pointed out two vehicles that changed their structures significantly — the Honda CR-V and the Toyota Prius V — leading to improved results in the test along with Top Safety Pick+ status.
A full list of the winners is below including the 2015 Kia Sedona, which becomes the second minivan to earn a score of good on the small front overlap test.
Car shoppers should understand that because collision prevention systems are often optional and usually at a considerable added cost, most cars sold today are not equipped with them. Therefore a car that offers these systems, like the Mazda 6, can earn a Top Safety Pick+ designation with an acceptable small front overlap score while the Honda Accord is designated a Top Safety Pick despite having a higher score of good in small front overlap. The Accord does not offer automatic braking.
IIHS image
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