MENU
SEARCHSix more models from popular brands have now earned a spot on the 2025 Top Safety Pick list.
Safety Picks will vary from year to year. In 2025, six more models received top safety ratings from the IIHS.
Photo: IIHS
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety deemed six different brands eligible for the 2025 Top Safety Pick awards.
Vehicle ratings for smaller vehicles such as The Hyundai Elantra, Kia K4, and Toyota Prius were released. In addition, midsized cars such as the electric SUV Toyota bZ4X and the Nissan Murano were also on the 2025 list.
The ratings necessary to qualify for both the Top Safety Pick as well as the lower-tier Safety Pick award are as follows: good ratings in the small overlap front, updated side tests, good or acceptable headlights, and an acceptable or good rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation.
An acceptable rating in the updated moderate overlap front test is enough to qualify for Top Safety Pick, while a good rating is required for the plus.
Some vehicles are only eligible if the model was built after a certain date. This year, the award applies to Elantras built after October of 2024, Sonatas built after November of 2024, and K4s built after January of 2025.
The headlights on the XLE trim were changed, earning the bZ4X an award.
The Ford Bronco and Ford Bronco Sport also earned new ratings. The VW Taos wasn't far behind. Despite the ratings, however, these vehicles did not earn awards due to inadequacy in other tests.
The Bronco was disqualified due to its low-rating headlights, pedestrian front crash prevention, and moderate overlap crash performance. During the required overlap test, measurements were taken from the rear dummy. They indicated an elevated level of risk for chest injuries.
The Bronco performed well in other areas. The Bronco Sport, however, fell short in the same areas but for varying reasons. During the Sport's test, the rear dummy's lap belt slid up onto the abdomen. This increases chances of internal injuries. The Sport also scored an acceptable rating in the new side test because of high injury metrics.
T2025 Taos earned an acceptable rating in the small overlap front test, as the safety cage designed to protect occupants did not hold up well. The new model also fell short in the updated moderate overlap front test and earned subpar ratings for its headlights and pedestrian crash avoidance system. Volkswagen added pretensioners and load limiters to the rear seat belts in the Taos in January 2025, but chest injury metrics for the rear passenger remained high in the moderate overlap test.
The 2025 top safety picks are:
1. The 2025 Hyundai Elantra
2. The 2025 Hyundai Sonata
3. The 2025 Kia K4
4. The 2025 Nissan Murano
5. The 2025 Toyota bZ4X
6. The 2025 Toyota Prius
7. The 2025 For Bronco
8. The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport
9. The 2025 Volkswagen Taos
To view a full and complete table with the ratings, please visit iihs.org.
For fleet managers, fuel is one of the biggest line items in the budget — and it's one hybrids can shrink without changing how your people work. Download the eBook to see the numbers, understand the technology, and get a step-by-step guide to making the switch.
Read More →
EMKAY recently celebrated a major milestone: 80 years in the fleet industry.
Read More →
Departmentally assigned vehicles often create hidden costs through underutilization, poor visibility, and increased administrative burden. This white paper explores how shared motor pool strategies help fleets reduce costs, improve accountability, and optimize vehicle utilization.
Read More →
Mercedes-Benz introduces an all-electric C-Class with dual motors, up to 482 hp, fast charging, and a redesigned interior built on a dedicated EV platform.
Read More →
So far, the fleet sector is outshining government and rental fleet sales this year as economic growth spurs more business investment.
Read More →
CARA recently opened up a part-time executive director position and appointed Johan Verbois for the role.
Read More →
Subaru introduces the all-electric 2027 Getaway, a three-row SUV with 420 hp, over 300 miles of range, and fast-charging capability, expanding its EV lineup.
Read More →
The GM Fleet name aligns to how customers identify us and it also helps with discoverability, the company said.
Read More →
At NAFA I&E 2026, WEX debuted an EV solution that adds a layer of verification to help fleets track, validate, and trust every at-home charging dollar.
Read More →
