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Safest Cars 2023: 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 2023. 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 fewer vehicles, with 28 models earning the Top Safety Pick+ award and 48 vehicles in total.

“The number of winners is smaller this year because we’re challenging automakers to build on the safety gains they’ve already achieved,” said IIHS President David Harkey. “These models are true standouts in both crashworthiness and crash prevention.”

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)

Over the years, the IIHS has strived to push automakers to put safety at the forefront. Changes to the tests this year include:

  • A more challenging side impact test
  • A rise in headlight rating criteria
  • Added a nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention test

While these changes have significantly shortened the list this year compared to last year, Harkey has confidence in automakers:

“It’s exciting that these manufacturers have been so swift to implement the substantial design changes and technological advancements that these new requirements demand,” said Harkey. “We’re confident that the number of winners will continue to grow throughout the year.”

So, without further adieu:

Safest Cars 2023 and the Rest of the Top Safety Picks

Small Cars

Top Safety Pick+

  • Acura Integra

Top Safety Pick

  • Honda Civic sedan and hatchback (except Type R performance variant)
  • Mazda3 sedan and hatchback
  • Toyota Corolla sedan and hatchback
Midsize Cars

Top Safety Pick+

  • Subaru Outback
  • Toyota Camry (built after January 2023)

Top Safety Pick

  • Hyundai Sonata (built after December 2022)
  • Subaru Legacy
Midsize Luxury Cars

Top Safety Pick+

  • No midsize luxury cars scored in this category in 2023

Top Safety Pick

  • Lexus ES 350
Large Cars

Top Safety Pick+

  • No large cars scored in this category in 2023

Top Safety Pick

  • No large cars scored in this category in 2023
Large Luxury Cars

Top Safety Pick+

  • Genesis G90

Top Safety Pick

  • No cars scored in this category in 2023
Small SUVs

Top Safety Pick+

  • Honda CR-V
  • Honda HR-V
  • Lexus UX
  • Subaru Solterra (built after October 2022)

Top Safety Pick

  • Mazda CX-30
  • Mazda CX-5
  • Mazda CX-50
  • Nissan Rogue
  • Subaru Forester
  • Toyota RAV4 and RAV4 Prime
  • Toyota Venza
Midsize SUVs

Top Safety Pick+

  • Hyundai Palisade
  • Kia Telluride
  • Nissan Pathfinder
  • Subaru Ascent
  • Toyota Highlander
  • Volkswagen ID.4

Top Safety Pick

  • Ford Explorer
  • Mazda CX-9
Midsize Luxury SUVs

Top Safety Pick+

  • Acura MDX
  • Acura RDX
  • Infiniti QX60
  • Lexus NX and NX Plug-in Hybrid
  • Lexus RX
  • Tesla Model Y
  • Volvo XC90 and XC90 Recharge

Top Safety Pick

  • Lincoln Nautilus
Large SUVs

Top Safety Pick+

  • No large SUVs scored in this category in 2023

Top Safety Pick

  • No large SUVs scored in this category in 2023
Minivans

Top Safety Pick+

  • Honda Odyssey
  • Toyota Sienna

Top Safety Pick

  • No minivans scored in this category in 2023
Small Pickups

Top Safety Pick+

  • No small pickups scored in this category in 2023

Top Safety Pick

  • No small pickups scored in this category in 2023
Large Pickup

Top Safety Pick+

  • Rivian R1T
  • Toyota Tundra crew cab and extended cab

Top Safety Pick

  • No large pickups scored in this category in 2023

Taking Safety a Step Further

Whether you’re already driving around in one of the safest cars of 2023 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
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