Top Safety Picks for 2018

This week, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released a list of cars, SUVS, minivan, and pickup trucks that were awarded a 2018 Top Safety Pick.

To earn a Top Safety Pick, the vehicle has to get good ratings in the small-overlap front crash test, moderate-overlap and side crash test, as well as roof-strenght and head-restraint test. They also have to perform well in frontal-crash prevention - either with standard or automatic braking.

Among the top safety picks, Subaru and Hyundai (including Genesis brand) lead with nine winners. See the full list below. If safety is a top priority, you should be considering these vehicles.

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2018 Top Safety Pick+ Award Winners

• 2018 BMW 5 series
• 2018 Genesis G80
• 2018 Genesis G90
• 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe
• 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
• 2018 Kia Forte sedan
• 2018 Kia Soul
• 2018 Lincoln Continental
• 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan
• 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC
• 2018 Subaru Impreza 4-Door Sedan
• 2018 Subaru Impreza 4-Door Wagon
• 2018 Subaru Legacy
• 2018 Subaru Outback
• 2018 Subaru WRX
• 2018 Toyota Camry

Some cars perform well in IIHS' tests but their headlights don't pass the tests or they didn't get good marks on the passenger side small overlap crash test. These cars earn the Top Safety Pick award—without the +. 

2018 Top Safety Pick Award Winners

• 2018 Acura MDX
• 2018 Acura RDX
• 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia
• 2018 Audi A3
• 2018 Audi A4
• 2018 BMW 3 Series Sedan
• 2018 Buick Envision
• 2018 Chevrolet Volt
• 2018 Chrysler Pacifica
• 2018 Honda Accord
• 2018 Honda CR-V
• 2018 Honda Odyssey
• 2018 Honda Pilot
• 2018 Honda Ridgeline
• 2018 Hyundai Elantra
• 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT
• 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
• 2018 Hyundai Sonata
• 2018 Hyundai Tucson
• 2018 Kia Cadenza
• 2018 Kia Optima
• 2018 Kia Sorento
• 2018 Kia Sportage
• 2018 Lexus ES
• 2018 Lexus IS
• 2018 Lexus NX
• 2018 Lexus RX
• 2018 Mazda 3 4-Door Hatchback
• 2018 Mazda 3 4-Door Sedan
• 2018 Mazda CX-3
• 2018 Mazda CX-5
• 2018 Mazda CX-9
• 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
• 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander
• 2018 Nissan Altima
• 2018 Nissan Maxima
• 2018 Nissan Rogue
• 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
• 2018 Subaru Forester
• 2018 Toyota Avalon
• 2018 Toyota Corolla
• 2018 Toyota Highlander
• 2018 Toyota Prius
• 2018 Toyota Prius Prime
• 2018 Toyota RAV4
• 2018 Volvo S60
• 2018 Volvo V60
• 2018 Volvo XC60