There was some really good news announced recently: new vehicles are safer to drive than ever.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released its list of the 15 safest vehicles to drive in 2018. To receive the “Top Safety Pick Plus” designation, vehicles must meet and/or exceed the organization’s specified requirements.
For 2018, the IIHS stiffened their requirements for their honors. They required better headlights, as well as a stand-out performance on newly devised crash tests. Twelve cars and three sport-utility vehicles received the organization’s first round of ratings.
In order to receive the Top Safety Pick Plus designation, the IIHS now requires automakers to earn a “good” rating for their headlights. The IIHS recognized that the positioning of headlights by designers instead of engineers made for insufficient roadway lighting.
In addition to the “Plus” designation, another 47 vehicles earned “Top Safety Pick” honors. As the IIHS evaluates more vehicles, expectations are that both lists will grow throughout 2018.
Adrian Lund, the outgoing IIHS president said, "Automakers have really come to grips with the fact that safety is an important component of consumer choice, and they are working hard to meet the criteria…They want to be known as leaders of safety."
Even with safer cars, there is an increase in fatal accidents
It is unfortunate that while cars are getting safer, drivers are not driving more safely. Even with better cars, there is an increase in fatal accidents on US roadways. In fact, car crash deaths increased in 2016 by 5.6%, reaching a nine-year high of 37,461 people. Reasons attributed to this spike in deaths include lower gas prices and an improved economy, which give people more freedom to travel. Experts consider distracted driving to also be a major factor.
Until these trends reverse, safer vehicles won’t have the maximum effect that they should. Here’s hoping that 2018 is a better year for safe driving.
IIHS’ Top Safety Pick “Plus” Awards for 2018
Small cars
- Kia Forte (sedan only)
- Kia Soul
- Subaru Impreza
- Subaru WRX
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 only)
Midsize SUVs
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Midsize Luxury SUVs
- Mercedes-Benz GLC
IIHS’ Top Safety Pick Awards for 2018
Small cars
- Chevrolet Volt
- Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
- Hyundai Elantra
- Hyundai Elantra GT
- Mazda 3
- Subaru Crosstrek
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Prius
- Toyota Prius Prime
Midsize cars
- Honda Accord
- Hyundai Sonata
- Kia Optima
- Nissan Altima
- Nissan Maxima
Midsize luxury cars
- Alfa Romeo Giulia
- Audi A3
- Audi A4
- BMW 3 series (sedan only)
- Lexus ES
- Lexus IS
- Volvo S60
- Volvo V60
Large cars
- Kia Cadenza
- Toyota Avalon
Small SUVs
- Honda CR-V
- Hyundai Tucson
- Kia Sportage
- Mazda CX-3
- Mazda CX-5
- Mitsubishi Outlander
- Nissan Rogue
- Subaru Forester
- Toyota RAV4
Midsize SUVs
- Honda Pilot
- Kia Sorento
- Mazda CX-9
- Toyota Highlander
Midsize luxury SUVs
- Acura MDX
- Acura RDX
- Buick Envision
- Lexus NX
- Lexus RX
- Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
- Volvo XC60
Minivans
- Chrysler Pacifica
- Honda Odyssey
Large pickup
- Honda Ridgeline
Group Matrix Blog – December 11, 2017 – by Sharon Bowles
