The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 — the first all-electric SUV from the automaker — has captured the coveted Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The mid-size SUV underwent six rigorous crashworthiness tests and aced every one, earning good scores across the board. These included the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests. 

But IIHS engineers demand far more before granting any vehicle “plus” status. For example, true contenders for this highest safety accolade must also be available with a front crash prevention system that earns advanced or superior ratings in both the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations and come with good or acceptable headlights across all trim levels.

The ID.4 did not disappoint. The midsize SUV comes with a standard front crash prevention system that earns a superior rating in the vehicle-to-vehicle evaluation and an advanced rating in the vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluation.

Finally, headlights are where many vehicles often fall short. That was not the case with the ID.4. Rather, the SUV’s standard LED reflector headlights earn an acceptable rating, while the optional curve-adaptive LED projectors earn a good rating. Those high-performing headlights gave Volkswagen’s ID.4 the final spark it needed to take its rightful place among Top Safety Pick+ winners.