The number of vehicles earning the IIHS’ highest safey grade grew for 2022 models as better headlamps and front-crash prevention become standard offerings.
Compared with 49 in 2021 models, 65 in 2022 models have so far received the Top Safety Pick+ award, with more models still being tested.
To qualify for a Top Safety Pick award, vehicles must have good ratings in all six of the institute’s crashworthiness tests. Vehicles also must be available with good or acceptable headlamps, and superior or advanced front crash prevention. The Top Safety Pick+ is awarded to models that meet those same requirements and also have good or acceptable headlamps as standard fitment across all trim levels and packages.
Vehicles from Hyundai, Volkswagen, and Volvo have received the most awards so far this year: Hyundai Motor Group earned 11 TSP+s and 10 TSPs; the VW Group got eight TSP+s and three TSPs, and Volvo earned ten TSP+ awards. And 34 models classified by the institute as SUVs earned TSP+.
Of the 65 TSP+ models, 31 come equipped exclusively with good-rated headlamps. IIHS also are adding a nighttime pedestrian crash prevention test. The new test will not be part of the criteria for Top Safety Pick, the institute said, but vehicles will need to have superior or advanced ratings to qualify for Top Safety Pick+.
