The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is sharing its 2024 list of safest vehicles amid tougher requirements this year. The IIHS says it's making it harder to earn awards, challenging manufacturers to offer better protection for back seat passengers and improve their pedestrian crash avoidance systems.
“We followed the tougher requirements we introduced last year with another major update to the award criteria in 2024,” said IIHS President David Harkey. “This year’s winners are true standouts, offering the highest level of protection for both vehicle occupants and other vulnerable road users.”
The IIHSA says last year’s biggest change was the replacement of the original side crash test with an updated version that uses a heavier barrier traveling at a higher speed. Initially, an acceptable or good rating was enough to garner the lower-tier TOP SAFETY PICK award. In 2024, a good rating is required for either TOP SAFETY PICK or TOP SAFETY PICK+.
Seventy one vehicles qualify for either a TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ award. Of those, 22 earn TOP SAFETY PICK+, and 49 earn TOP SAFETY PICK.
Hyundai Motor Group (Genesis, Hyundai, Kia) - 16 Awards
Hyundai Motor Group, which includes the Genesis, Hyundai and Kia brands, has the most 2024 awards overall - winning six TOP SAFETY PICK+ and 10 TOP SAFETY PICK awards for a total of 16.
Toyota Motor Group (Toyota, Lexus) - 13 Awards
Toyota Motor Corp., which includes the Toyota and Lexus brands, has the next highest total with one TOP SAFETY PICK+ and 12 TOP SAFETY PICK awards.
Mazda - 5 Awards
Mazda earns the most TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards of any single brand, with five, as well as one TOP SAFETY PICK.
To see the entire list of vehicles, visit the IIHS website here.
Photo: IIHS.