Few Vehicles Get Top IIHS Safety Rating

Few Vehicles Get Top IIHS Safety Rating

• October 12, 2024
• Categories: Vehicle Accidents

Only a handful of new vehicles meet the enhanced IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) safety requirements, earning a rating of Top Safety Pick+ in 2023. Many other new cars, trucks and SUVs were unable to meet the more stringent IIHS safety standards. New, tougher crash tests mean fewer vehicles were chosen for awards in 2023 than in 2022.

The safety guidelines focus on whether all front-seat passengers are well protected in frontal crashes that simulate striking a pole or tree; the IIHS calls this the “small overlap” test. This test is considered critical to gauge safety, because the concentrated crash force in a small area can reveal how effectively the vehicle frame can absorb a major impact.  Other safety features measured in the IIHS review include a side-impact crash test, quality of headlight performance, presence of daytime vehicle-to-pedestrian crash prevention, and other measures.

Several car brands appear to be taking the new safety standards at IIHS seriously. Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Acura, and Mazda stand out for the most accolades from the IIHS, according to Consumer Reports.

Important Criteria

The criteria for being chosen as an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and Top Safety Pick are stringent, and only a few vehicles make the grade.  Criteria include:

Top Safety Pick+

• Good ratings in the driver-side and passenger-side small overlap front tests and original moderate overlap front test
• Good rating in the updated side test
• Acceptable or good headlights standard
• Advanced or superior rating for daytime vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention
• Advanced or superior rating for nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention

Top Safety Pick

• Good ratings in the driver-side and passenger-side small overlap front tests and original moderate overlap front test
• Acceptable or good rating in the updated side test
• Acceptable or good headlights standard
• Advanced or superior rating for daytime vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention

Vehicles Chosen for Top Safety Pick+

Only a few vehicles get top IIHS safety rating.  Following are five vehicles of different sizes that made the grade in the 2023 Top Safety Pick+ survey:

Small Cars

• 2023-2024 Acura Integra 4-door hatchback
• 2024 Hyundai Elantra 4-door sedan
• 2024 Mazda 3 4-door hatchback
• 2024 Mazda 3 4-door sedan
• 2024 Subaru Impreza 4-door wagon

Midsize Cars

• 2023-2024 Honda Accord 4-door sedan
• 2023-2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 4-door sedan
• 2023-2024 Subaru Outback 4-door wagon
• 2023-2024 Toyota Camry 4-door sedan

Small SUVs

• 2023-2024 BMW X1 4-door SUV
• 2024 Genesis GV60 4-door SUV
• 2023-2024 Honda CR-V 4-door SUV
• 2023-2024 Honda HR-V 4-door SUV
• 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 4-door SUV

Midsize SUVs

• 2023-2024 Honda Pilot 4-door SUV
• 2023-2024 Hyundai Palisade 4-door SUV
• 2023-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4-door SUV
• 2023-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L 4-door SUV
• 2023-2024 Kia Telluride 4-door SUV

Increased IIHS Standards Are Upping Safety Stakes for Auto Industry

For several years, IIHS has been increasing standards for auto manufacturers to earn the coveted Top Safety Pick+ designation.  IIHS is encouraging the industry to boost protections for both passengers and drivers. Consumer Reports strongly encourages consumers to review crash-test ratings when considering a new car purchase. The agency also recommends a review of such critical safety data as braking distances and the ability to avoid accidents.

To obtain the desired Top Safety Pick+ status, the vehicle must score at least a ‘Good’ or ‘Acceptable’ rating in several categories. The higher safety criteria are in addition to current standards for high ratings for roof strength, moderate overlap frontal crash tests, and side crash tests.

What If Your Vehicle Is Not a Top Safety Pick?

Our personal injury attorneys at Neale & Fhima are pleased to know that IIHS is upping the game on auto safety standards and that the very safest vehicles have earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating. But what about other vehicles that are not as safe? Previous IIHS studies have revealed numerous vehicles that have relatively poor safety test results that could cause serious injuries in car accidents.  The worst vehicles have dozens of driver fatalities per one million registered vehicle years.

When manufacturers are lax about pursuing safety measures in their design and vehicle manufacturing, motorists are put at risk.  Some flawed vehicle safety measures are an oversight by automakers but, worse yet, automakers sometimes know about poor safety issues in their vehicles but keep them hidden from the public.  If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash, contact a personal injury attorney at Neale & Fhima to learn more about legal action you can take.

Why Choose Neale & Fhima

There are many reasons to choose a vehicle accident lawyer at Neale & Fhima to represent you in a car or truck accident case.  Some of these are:

We Have Many Years of Legal Experience

There is no need to settle for an attorney that lacks comprehensive case experience. Our attorneys have over 40 years of combined experience representing clients throughout California.

We Value Client Relationships

High-volume law offices think of clients as nothing more than a case file. The file gets passed around until it ends up with a paralegal who just wants to finish it and move on. We enjoy getting to know our clients, which helps us create a settlement that aligns with your best interests.

We Know the Law

Our attorneys deeply understand the intricacies of state law and court opinions, and we can share our legal knowledge and insights with you.

We Offer Free Consultations

If you are uncertain about whether to move forward with your case, there is no need to worry. You can have a free initial consultation with a Neale & Fhima attorney.  We’ll explain your rights and your legal options.

Injured in a Car Accident? Contact Neale & Fhima Personal Injury Attorneys

If you have been injured in a car accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries. If your injuries are due to a safety defect in your vehicle, you could receive a settlement for pain and suffering, lost wages and more. The attorneys at Neale & Fhima are available to speak with you now. To find out more about how we can help, call us for a free consultation at 888-407-2955.