IIHS Unveils its List of Safest Vehicles for 2022

Safety has become an obsession in modern vehicles, with manufacturers making it a priority over the past decade. Once again this year, the safety level of cars and SUVs sold in North America is improving.

The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has published its list of the best vehicles for 2022, which has grown from 90 vehicles last year to 101 this year.

Of these, no less than 65 models have been awarded TOP SAFETY PICK+, the highest distinction awarded by the U.S. federal agency. The remaining 36 vehicles are classified as TOP SAFETY PICK, which is slightly lower than the “+” designation. The increase is also attributed to improved headlights, an important component of vehicle safety.

There are also a few trends following the IIHS list, including the dominance of the Hyundai Group (which also includes Kia and Genesis) with 11 TOP SAFETY PICK+ models and 10 TOP SAFETY PICKs. The giant Volkswagen (which also includes the Audi brand) earns eight TOP SAFETY PICK+ titles and three more with TOP SAFETY PICK. Volvo, a division accustomed to safety awards, walks away with 10 TOP SAFETY PICK+ mentions.

According to the IIHS, manufacturers have also incorporated more forward collision avoidance systems, a technology that can help in certain road situations. What’s more, the vast majority of vehicles will soon be equipped with automatic braking, starting in September.

In 2023, a new nighttime pedestrian collision avoidance test will be added to the list of tests to be completed and models will need to achieve an advanced score or better to leave with the TOP SAFETY PICK+ title.

Here is the list of the safest vehicles according to the IIHS in 2022.

TOP SAFETY PICK+

Small Cars

Honda Civic Hatchback

Honda Civic Sedan

Honda Insight

Mazda3 Hatchback

Mazda3 Sedan

Subaru Crosstrek PHEV

Mid-size cars

Honda Accord

Kia K5

Nissan Altima

Nissan Maxima

Subaru Legacy

Subaru Outback

Toyota Camry

Mid-size luxury cars

Acura TLX

Lexus ES 350

Lexus IS

Tesla Model 3

Volvo S60

Volvo S60 Recharge

Volvo V60 Cross Country

Full Size Cars

Kia Stinger

Full Size Luxury Cars

Audi A6

Audi A6 Allroad

Audi A7

Genesis G70 (assembled after June 2021)

Genesis G80

Genesis G90

Mercedes-Benz E-Class (with the option of forward collision avoidance)

Small SUVs

Chevrolet Trailblazer

Ford Bronco Sport

Hyundai Tucson

Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-30

Mitsubishi Outlander (assembled after June 2021)

Nissan Rogue

Volvo C40 Recharge

Volvo XC40

Volvo XC40 Recharge

Mid-size SUVs

Ford Explorer

Hyundai Palisade

Hyundai Santa Fe (assembled after July 2021)

Mazda CX-9

Nissan Murano

Subaru Ascent

Toyota Highlander

Volkswagen ID.4

Mid-size luxury SUVs

Acura MDX

Acura RDX

Audi Q5

Audi Q5 Sportback

Cadillac XT6

Genesis GV70

Genesis GV80

Hyundai NEXO

Mercedes-Benz GLE (with optional forward collision avoidance)

Tesla Model Y

Volvo XC60

Volvo XC60 Recharge

Volvo XC90

Volvo XC90 Recharge

Full Size SUV

Audi e-tron

Audi e-tron Sportback

Vans

Chrysler Pacifica

Honda Odyssey

Toyota Sienna

TOP SAFETY PICK

Small cars

Hyundai Elantra

Kia Soul (with the option of forward collision prevention)

Nissan Sentra

Subaru Crosstrek (with forward collision avoidance option)

Subaru Impreza Hatchback (with Forward Collision Avoidance option)

Mid-size cars

Hyundai Sonata

Mid-size luxury cars

Audi A4

Audi A5 Sportback

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

BMW 3 Series

Full Size Cars

Toyota Avalon

Small SUVs

Buick Encore GX

Ford Escape

Honda CR-V

Hyundai Venue

Kia Seltos

Kia Sportage (with optional forward collision avoidance)

Lexus UX

Lincoln Corsair

Toyota C-HR

Toyota Venza

Mid-size SUVs

Ford Edge

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Kia Sorento

Kia Telluride

Mid-size luxury SUVs

BMW X5

Lexus RX

Lincoln Aviator

Lincoln Nautilus

Mercedes-Benz GLC

Full-Size SUV

Audi Q8

Vans

Kia Carnival (assembled after March 2021)

Small trucks

Hyundai Santa Cruz

Large pickup trucks

Ford F-150 Crew Cab

Ford F-150 Crew Cab

Ram 1500 Crew Cab (with Forward Collision Avoidance option)