The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has updated its crash testing processes and hardware in recent years to account for new safety technologies, as well as the fact that people can walk in and buy new EVs that can weigh as much as two or three comparable gas vehicles combined. The most significant update for 2023 relates to the IIHS’ side crash test, but there are several other changes that have drastically reduced the number of vehicles that qualify for a Top Safety Pick award. 

Side crash testing now involves 82 percent more energy, and vehicles have to earn an “Acceptable” or “Good” rating to earn a Top Safety Pick. Getting the Plus designation requires “Good” scores. The IIHS also updated requirements for crash prevention systems and headlights. 

The result of these changes is that far fewer vehicles qualify for either award. There were 101 winners in 2022, with 65 of them grabbing a Top Safety Pick +. This year, the IIHS only awarded 48 vehicles with a Top Safety Pick award, and only 28 got the Plus. The vehicles that were dropped aren’t automatically less safe, but it is surprising to see such a drastic reduction in the number of vehicles that qualified. 

Some of the cars that earned an award in 2022 but fell off for 2023 include:

·      Hyundai Elantra

·      Subaru Crosstrek

·      Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R

·      Nissan Maxima

·      Kia K5

·      Lexus IS

·      Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Though it just updated its testing methodology, the IIHS said more changes are coming in 2024. Where the new side crash test currently requires an “Acceptable” or “Good” score to earn a Top Safety Pick, both awards will require a “Good” score starting next year. The recently-updated moderate overlap front test will require a “Good” or “Acceptable” rating for a Top Safety Pick +. 

[Image: IIHS screenshot via YouTube]

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