Car safety is a paramount concern for drivers worldwide. With technological advancements, vehicles today have many safety features designed to protect occupants and pedestrians. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a reputable organization in the field, conducts rigorous testing and provides ratings that help consumers make informed decisions about vehicle safety. This article will delve into this year’s seven safest car brands, according to the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards. These brands have gone above and beyond in ensuring their vehicles meet the highest safety standards, providing peace of mind for their customers.
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Understanding Car Safety Ratings
The IIHS, funded by the insurance industry, is crucial in assessing vehicle safety. They conduct crash tests to measure a vehicle’s ability to protect its occupants in a collision. The IIHS also evaluates a vehicle’s crash avoidance and mitigation capabilities, including tests for vehicle-to-pedestrian prevention during the day and night.
The IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award represents the highest honor the organization can bestow on a vehicle. To earn this award, a vehicle must achieve a Good rating in the stringent side crash test, a Good or Acceptable rating for its headlights, and an Advanced or Superior rating in the vehicle-to-pedestrian prevention tests. These ratings give consumers a reliable guide to the safety performance of different vehicles on the market.
Acura – Safety In Compact Design
Acura, a luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Honda, has made a name for itself in car safety. The Acura Integra, a compact sedan, is the only small car to earn the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ honors this year. This achievement is a testament to Acura’s commitment to safety, even in their smaller vehicle models.
The Acura Integra scored a Superior rating in all IIHS’s crash avoidance and mitigation tests, including the new nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian test. However, its standard LED headlights earned an Acceptable rating due to suboptimal visibility on certain IIHS test track curves. Despite this, Integra’s overall performance in the safety tests is commendable, making it a top choice for those seeking a safe compact car.
Genesis – Luxury Meets Safety
Genesis, the luxury vehicle division of Hyundai, aims to compete with the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW. Interestingly, none of these competitors earned a Top Safety Pick+ award last year, setting Genesis apart in the luxury car market. The Genesis G90, in particular, has received top marks for crashworthiness, crash avoidance, and crash mitigation.
The G90’s standard LED projector headlights received an Acceptable rating due to inadequate lighting from both the low- and high beams on certain curves on the IIHS’s test track. However, this minor shortcoming does not overshadow the G90’s overall excellent performance in the IIHS safety tests. The Genesis G90’s achievement underscores the brand’s dedication to marrying luxury with top-tier safety.
Honda – Consistent Safety Performer
Honda, a brand synonymous with reliability, has consistently performed well in safety tests. The Honda Accord, one of the brand’s flagship models, is no exception. It has received high marks in the IIHS’s crash avoidance and mitigation tests, further cementing Honda’s reputation for safety.
The Accord scored a Superior rating in the daytime vehicle-to-pedestrian test and an Advanced rating in the nighttime. Its child-seat anchors earned a Good+ rating for easy-to-find latch positions. All trim levels received a Good headlight rating, an improvement over the previous year when two trims scored only Acceptable. This consistent performance across various safety tests makes the Honda Accord a top choice for safety-conscious consumers.
