Number one on the 48 Top Safety Pick+ of 2016, released on Thursday, is Toyota Motor.
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On the 2016 IIHS list, Toyota (TM) leads all manufacturers with nine Top Safety Pick Plus ratings. To be eligible, a vehicle has to have good ratings in all crash tests as well as an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention. CBS explains that to get a top score of “Good”, it must do well in crash tests for front and side impact and rollover accidents.
For the 2016 model year, the IIHS also changed its formula for determining its “Top Safety Pick+” award. The eight Top Safety Pick+ vehicles are the Acura ILX, the Accord four-door sedan and two-door coupe, the Acura RLX, the CR-V, the Pilot, the Acura MDX and the Acura RDX. The IIHS began examining the new crash-avoidance technology two years ago. Thirteen models were awarded that status this year. This time, not only did more models win top marks in the initial ranking, but they did it despite more hard requirements.
Ford issued a statement that focused on the positive: “We are proud that the 2016 F-150 SuperCrew was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick”. While GM managed to land five models in the next tier, Top Safety Pick, Ford had only one, a big pickup.
Crash-test dummies are so previous year. The Audi Q3, for example, no longer qualifies for TOP SAFETY PICK because it doesn’t have front crash prevention. The Passat receives a fully reinforced structure, building on the model’s “good” ratings in the Institute’s other crashworthiness tests. This test has been a stumbling block since IIHS introduced it in 2012.
VW came in third with seven winning vehicles, including the Passat.
There is a second set of list, the Top Safety Pick, with 13 awardees. With a base price of about $16,000, the iA is rated advanced for front crash prevention and is the only minicar to earn a 2016 IIHS award.
The safest vehicles on the road have just been announced for 2016.
More automakers are expected to make autobrake systems standard equipment under a voluntary agreement that 10 manufacturers reached earlier this year.
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Driver-assistance features like automatic braking, forward-collision alerts and a lane-departure warning are standard, the company said in a statement today. “And remember that larger, heavier vehicles offer the best protection in a crash”.
