The U.S.-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released the latest list of vehicles that meet its safety standards.

The criteria has become tougher in 2025 as new crash testing is requiring better protection for second-row occupants.

As a result, there are 48 vehicles, so far, that qualify for the award in 2025, compared to 71 by this time last year.

The institute announced the 2025 Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ award recipients March 13.

“We’re once again challenging automakers to make their new models even safer than those they were building a year ago,” IIHS president David Harkey said in a news release. “Every vehicle that earns a 2025 award offers a high level of safety in both the front seat and the second row.”

The updated moderate overlap front test adds a second dummy, placed behind the driver seat, to emphasize back-seat safety.

To receive the Top Safety Pick award, vehicles must earn an acceptable rating in the updated test, while a good rating is required to earn the plus.

Vehicles must also earn good ratings in the small overlap front and updated side tests as well as an acceptable or good rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation, which gauges performance in both daytime and nighttime conditions, the IIHS said. All trims must be equipped with acceptable- or good-rated headlights.

Let’s check out the award recipients.

2025 Top Safety Pick+

Small cars:

• Honda Civic hatchback
• Mazda3 hatchback
• Mazda3 sedan

Midsize cars:

• Honda Accord
• Hyundai Ioniq 6
• Toyota Camry

Midsize luxury cars:

• Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Small SUVs:

• Genesis GV60
• Honda HR-V
• Hyundai Ioniq 5
• Hyundai Kona
• Hyundai Tucson
• Mazda CX-30
• Mazda CX-50
• Subaru Solterra

Midsize SUVs:

• Ford Mustang Mach-E
• Hyundai Santa Fe (built after November 2024)
• Kia EV9
• Kia Telluride
• Mazda CX-70
• Mazda CX-70 PHEV
• Mazda CX-90
• Mazda CX-90 PHEV
• Nissan Pathfinder

Midsize luxury SUVs:

• BMW X5
• Genesis Electrified GV70
• Genesis GV70 (built after April 2024)
• Genesis GV80
• Lincoln Nautilus
• Mecedes-Benz GLC
• Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class (with optional front crash prevention)
• Volvo XC90 (built before December 2024)

Large SUVs:

• Audi Q7
• Infiniti QX80
• Rivian R1S (built after August 2024)

Large pickups:

• Toyota Tundra crew cab

2025 Top Safety Pick

Small cars:

• Acura Integra hatchback
• Honda Civic Sedan

Large luxury cars:

• Genesis G90

Small SUVs:

• Subaru Forester (excludes Wilderness trim)

Midsize SUVs:

• Chevrolet Traverse
• Honda Pilot
• Subaru Ascent

Midsize luxury SUVs:

• Acura MDX
• Infiniti QX60
• Lexus NX
• Volvo XC90 Plug-in Hybrid (built before December 2024)

Large pickup:

• Rivian R1T

More information is available on the IIHS website.

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