Safest Cars 2022: IIHS Top Safety Picks
In the market for a new car? Safety should be high on your “needs” checklist and a great place to start is the list of the safest cars 2022. The good news? Each year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) releases a list of their top safety picks in various vehicle categories, such as midsize SUVs, large cars, etc. This year’s list includes 65 models earning the Top Safety Pick+ award and 101 vehicles in total.
“We’re excited to see more vehicles on this list in 2022,” says IIHS President David Harkey. “Our awards make it easy for car buyers to find models that will protect them in a crash and increase the odds they’ll never be in one. By shooting for TOP SAFETY PICK+, automakers are showing that they’re committed to the same goal.”
So if you’re looking to haul the kids and dogs around in the safest SUVs or just want a safe car for your everyday commute, you have plenty to choose from.
Keep in mind that not all vehicles are built equally. Larger vehicles are typically able to offer more protection than smaller cars and SUVs. Thus, protections across categories may not necessarily be equal.
But let’s start with the IIHS rating system. The following is how the vehicles’ ratings are determined.
IIHS Rating System
The IIHS, a nonprofit research and education organization, was founded in 1959 and launched their first bumper tests in 1969. Their crash tests and data collection since then have led to major life-saving advances within the auto industry. They know a thing or two about safety.
The IIHS rating system consists of tests that measure:
- Crashworthiness
- Crash avoidance and mitigation
- Child seat anchors
- And other available safety features (like blind spot detection)
“A key reason vehicles have continued to get safer over the more than 25 years since the Institute began our ratings program is that we have never shied away from raising the bar. The high number of TOP SAFETY PICK+ winners [this year] shows that it’s time to push for additional changes,” said Harkey.
So, without further adieu:
Safest Cars 2022 and the Rest of the Top Safety Picks
Small Cars
Top Safety Pick+
- Honda Civic hatchback
- Honda Civic sedan
- Honda Insight
- Mazda 3 hatchback
- Mazda 3 sedan
- Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
Top Safety Pick
- Hyundai Elantra with specific headlights
- Kia Soul with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights
- Nissan Sentra with specific headlights
- Subaru Crosstrek with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights
- Subaru Impreza hatchback with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights
Midsize Cars
Top Safety Pick+
- Honda Accord
- Kia K5
- Nissan Altima
- Nissan Maxima
- Subaru Legacy
- Subaru Outback
- Toyota Camry
Top Safety Pick
- Hyundai Sonata with specific headlights
Midsize Luxury Cars
Top Safety Pick+
- Acura TLX
- Lexus ES 350
- Lexus IS
- Tesla Model 3
- Volvo S60
- Volvo S60 Recharge
- Volvo V60 Cross Country
Top Safety Pick
- Audi A4 with specific headlights
- Audi A5 Sportback with specific headlights
- BMW 2 series Gran Coupe with specific headlights
- BMW 3 series with specific headlights
Large Cars
Top Safety Pick+
Top Safety Pick
- Toyota Avalon with specific headlights
Large Luxury Cars
Top Safety Pick+
- Audi A6
- Audi A6 allroad
- Audi A7
- Genesis G70 built after June 2021
- Genesis G80
- Genesis G90
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class with optional front crash prevention
Top Safety Pick
- No cars scored in this category in 2022
Small SUVs
Top Safety Pick+
- Chevrolet Trailblazer
- Ford Bronco Sport
- Hyundai Tucson
- Mazda CX-5
- Mazda CX-30
- Mitsubishi Outlander built after June 2021
- Nissan Rogue
- Volvo C40 Recharge
- Volvo XC40
- Volvo XC40 Recharge
Top Safety Pick
- Buick Encore GX with specific headlights
- Ford Escape with specific headlights
- Honda CR-V with specific headlights
- Hyundai Venue with specific headlights
- Kia Seltos with specific headlights
- Kia Sportage with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights
- Lexus UX with specific headlights
- Lincoln Corsair with specific headlights
- Toyota C-HR with specific headlights
- Toyota Venza with specific headlights
Midsize SUVs
Top Safety Pick+
- Ford Explorer
- Hyundai Palisade
- Hyundai Santa Fe built after July 2021
- Mazda CX-9
- Nissan Murano
- Subaru Ascent
- Toyota Highlander
- Volkswagen ID.4
Top Safety Pick
- Ford Edge with specific headlights
- Ford Mustang Mach-E with specific headlights
- Kia Sorento with specific headlights
- Kia Telluride with specific headlights
Midsize Luxury SUVs
Top Safety Pick+
- Acura MDX
- Acura RDX
- Audi Q5
- Audi Q5 Sportback
- Cadillac XT6
- Genesis GV70
- Genesis GV80
- Hyundai Nexo
- Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class with optional front crash prevention
- Tesla Model Y
- Volvo XC60
- Volvo XC60 Recharge
- Volvo XC90
- Volvo XC90 Recharge
Top Safety Pick
- BMW X5 with specific headlights
- Lexus RX with specific headlights
- Lincoln Aviator with specific headlights
- Lincoln Nautilus with specific headlights
- Mercedes-Benz GLC with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights
Large SUVs
Top Safety Pick+
- Audi e-tron
- Audi e-tron Sportback
Top Safety Pick
- Audi Q8 with specific headlights
Minivans
Top Safety Pick+
- Chrysler Pacifica
- Honda Odyssey
- Toyota Sienna
Top Safety Pick
- Kia Carnival with specific headlights built after March 2021
Small Pickups
Top Safety Pick+
- No small pickups scored in this category in 2022
Top Safety Pick
- Hyundai Santa Cruz with specific headlights
Large Pickup
Top Safety Pick+
- No large pickups scored in this category in 2022
Top Safety Pick
- Ford F-150 crew cab with specific headlights
- Ford F-150 extended cab with specific headlights
- Ram 1500 crew cab with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights
Taking Safety a Step Further
Whether you’re already driving around in one of the safest cars of 2022 or not, accidents can still happen. An auto insurance policy from Erie Insurance will help you to protect the things you love: Your family, your car, and even your pets! Plus, we even offer affordable rates. So what do you have to lose?
Reach out for a Quote