A limited number of 2018 cars and SUVs have earned the highest honors from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This year brought more stringent requirements from automakers, as the IIHS decided to require better headlights and a top performance on a new crash test in order to receive top marks. In order for a vehicle to receive the 2018 Top Safety Pick Plus designation, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests, as well as an acceptable or good rating in the passenger-side small overlap front test. It also must earn an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention and a good headlight rating.

The following vehicles were awarded the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus designation for 2018:

SMALL CARS

• Hyundai Elantra with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights
• Kia Forte with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights (sedan only)
• Kia Niro Hybrid with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights
• Kia Soul with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights
• Subaru Crosstrek with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights
• Subaru Impreza with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights
• Subaru WRX with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights

LARGE LUXURY CARS

• BMW 5 series with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights
• Genesis G80 with specific headlights
• Genesis G90
• Lexus RC with specific headlights
• Lincoln Continental with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights
• Mercedes-Benz E-Class with specific headlights (sedan only)

MIDSIZE SUVS

• Hyundai Santa Fe with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights
• Hyundai Santa Fe Sport with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights

MIDSIZE LUXURY SUVS

• BMW X3 with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights
• Mercedes-Benz GLC with specific headlights

While the list this year for Top Safety Pick Plus doesn’t seem that large, newer vehicles are safer than ever. Automakers are coming to terms with consumer demand for safer vehicles and are working hard to be recognized as leaders in safety. Despite this, more people are dying on American roads than ever before. Car crash deaths spiked in the U.S. for a second consecutive year in 2016, hitting a nine-year high of 37,461 people in 2016. That’s up nearly 5.6%, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Other vehicles received the IIHS’ second-highest designation of Top Safety Pick. For a full list of current Top Pick Safety Winners and additional information, click here.

Related Articles