48 safest vehicles for 2016

Looking to buy a new vehicle? Be sure to take a look at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) annual safety award winners. For the first time, a good rating in the challenging small overlap front crash test is a requirement to win, in addition to an available front crash prevention system.

The 48 winners of the "plus" award have a superior- or advanced-rated front crash prevention system with automatic braking capabilities. These vehicles must stop or slow down without driver intervention before hitting a target in tests at 12 mph, 25 mph, or both. Among the Top Safety Pick+ winners, there are 31 models with an available superior-rated front crash prevention system and 17 models with an advanced rating.

"We asked auto manufacturers to do more this year to qualify for our safety awards, and they delivered," says Adrian Lund, IIHS president. "For the first time, a good rating in the challenging small overlap front crash test is a requirement to win, in addition to an available front crash prevention system. How that system rates determines whether a vehicle will earn Top Safety Pick+ or Top Safety Pick."

IIHS inaugurated the Top Safety Pick in the 2006 model year to help consumers more easily evaluate and select vehicles with the best safety performance. The Top Safety Pick+ award was introduced in 2012 to recognize vehicles that offer an advanced level of safety.

In the award count, Toyota leads manufacturers with nine 2016 Top Safety Pick+ winners, including the popular Camry midsize car, while Honda picks up eight Top Safety Pick+ awards. Volkswagen/Audi has seven plus-award winners. Six Subaru models qualify for Top Safety Pick+.

Here are the winners of the 2016 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, grouped by small SUVs; midsize SUVs; midsize luxury SUVs; minicar; small cars; midsize moderately priced cars; midsize luxury/near-luxury cars; large family cars; and large luxury cars:

Action shot taken during the 2016 Fiat 500X small overlap frontal crash test. (Photo: IIHS)

Small SUVs

Fiat 500X (built after July 2015)

Front crash prevention: Advanced (with optional equipment).

Safety features:

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Driver knee airbag: A separate airbag in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes.
• Electronic stability control, includes roll stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Honda CR-V

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Hyundai Tucson

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Electronic stability control, includes roll stability control,
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Mazda CX-5

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Electronic stability control, includes roll stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Mitsubishi Outlander

Front crash prevention: Advanced (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and second row head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Driver knee airbag: A separate airbag in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights (optional).

Subaru Forester

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Driver knee airbag: A separate airbag in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Toyota RAV4

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Driver knee airbag: A separate airbag in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes.
• Seat cushion airbag: A separate airbag in the forward portion of the front passenger seat cushion to prevent occupants from sliding under the seat belts.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

The 2016 Honda Pilot small overlap frontal crash test. (Photo: IIHS)

Midsize SUVs

Honda Pilot

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

Safety features:

• Side airbags: Head curtain airbags for all three rows of seats and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Nissan Murano

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Driver knee airbag: A separate airbag in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well during the crash test. (Photo: IIHS)

Midsize luxury SUVs

Acura MDX

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

Safety features:

• Side airbags: Head curtain airbags for all three rows of seats and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Driver knee airbag: A separate airbag in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Acura RDX

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Audi Q5

Front crash prevention: Advanced (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags (standard); rear seat-mounted torso airbags (optional).
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Electronic stability control, includes roll stability control to minimize the possibility of rollover.
• Antilock brakes.
• Programmable daytime running lights.

Lexus NX

Front crash prevention: Advanced (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Driver knee airbag: A separate airbag in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes.
• Seat cushion airbag: A separate airbag in the forward portion of the front passenger seat cushion to prevent occupants from sliding under the seat belts.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Volvo XC60

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Built-in child restraints (optional).
• Electronic stability control, includes roll stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Volvo XC90

Front crash prevention: Superior.

• Side airbags: Head curtain airbags for all three rows of seats and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Driver knee airbag: A separate airbag in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes.
• Built in child restraints (optional).
• Electronic stability control, includes roll stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights. 

View of the Scion iA and barrier just after the side impact crash test. (Photo: IIHS)

Minicar

Scion iA

Front crash prevention: Advanced.

Safety features:

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

During the crash, the dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag but then nearly slid off the left side. The seat belt allowed the dummy to move too far forward, as is evident from the gap between the seat back and the dummy's torso. (Photo: IIHS)

Small cars

Acura ILX

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

Safety features:

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover (beginning with 2016 models).
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Lexus CT 200h

Front crash prevention: Advanced (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Driver and front passenger knee airbags: separate airbags in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Mazda 3 4-door sedan | Mazda 3 4-door hatchback

Front crash prevention: Advanced (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

 Subaru Crosstrek

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Driver knee airbag: A separate airbag in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Subaru Impreza 

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Driver knee airbag: A separate airbag in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Subaru WRX

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Driver knee airbag: A separate airbag in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

 Volkswagen Golf (4-door hatchback and SportWagen models)

Front crash prevention: Advanced (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover (2015 and later SportWagen models and beginning with 2016 model Golf and GTI 4-door hatchbacks built after June 2015).
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Volkswagen GTI (4-door models)

Front crash prevention: Advanced (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover (beginning with 2016 models built after June 2015).
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

The small overlap frontal crash test of the 2016 model Mazda 6. (Photo: IIHS)

Midsize moderately priced cars

Chrysler 200

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

Safety features:

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Driver and front passenger knee airbags: Separate airbags in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Programmable daytime running lights.

Honda Accord 4-door sedan

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Honda Accord 2-door coupe

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Mazda 6

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover (beginning with 2016 models).
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Nissan Maxima

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Subaru Legacy

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Seat cushion airbags: Separate airbags in the forward portion of the driver and passenger seat cushions to prevent occupants from sliding under the seat belts.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

 Subaru Outback

Front crash prevention: Superior (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Seat cushion airbags: Separate airbags in the forward portion of the driver and passenger seat cushions to prevent occupants from sliding under the seat belts.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Toyota Camry

Front crash prevention: Advanced (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front and rear seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover (beginning with 2015 models).
• Driver and front passenger knee airbags: Separate airbags in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Toyota Prius v

Front crash prevention: Advanced (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Driver knee airbag: A separate airbag in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights (beginning with 2014 models).

Volkswagen Jetta

Front crash prevention: Advanced (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover.
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

Volkswagen Passat

Front crash prevention: Advanced (with optional equipment).

• Side airbags: Front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
• Rollover sensor: Designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover (beginning with 2016 models).
• Electronic stability control.
• Antilock brakes.
• Daytime running lights.

See the full list here: http://www.propertycasualty360.com/2015/12/29/48-safest-vehicles-for-2016?eNL=5685ca52150ba003440000a4&utm_source=PC360_Weekender&utm_medium=EMC-Email_editorial&utm_campaign=01032016&_LID=163209861&page_all=1