Even with higher standards this time around, 62 cars received at least a Top Safety Pick award for the 2018 model year from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The organization released its latest ratings Thursday.
The new standards put more weight on passenger side safety and headlight ratings. Fifteen models earned the highest rating of Top Safety Pick+. A grade lower, 47 other cars received the Top Safety Pick.
The IIHS added passenger safety to its criteria after it determined manufacturers didn't place enough importance on the passenger side.
"Most drivers, when they buy a car, they think the passenger is going to be protected as well as they are. Our new test is to try to achieve that," explained IIHS President Adrian Lund.
Subaru and Hyundai (which also owns Kia and Genesis) earned the most Top Safety Pick+ awards. Hyundai took home six; Subaru took four.
Mercedes-Benz also earned two Top Safety Pick+ awards. BMW, Ford and Toyota each got one.
Toyota had the most models earn the Top Safety Pick award with 10.
For a complete list of the rankings, click here.
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