The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released its list of the safest cars of 2017. The safest cars receive the title of Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick +.
You don’t have to be Constable Responsible to be concerned about car safety. In 2015 alone, more than 35,000 people died in the US as a result of car crashes. That seems to be important enough to factor into your vehicle purchase decision, doesn’t it?
For Top Safety Pick status, the model must get “good” ratings in the following five criteria:
As well, the car must receive an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.
Top Safety Pick + takes it a few steps further. In addition to the above standards, the car must be rated “acceptable” or “good” in headlight ratings.
For 2017, here are some of the safest cars you can choose.
This year, the Mini Cooper achieves Top Safety Pick status. It’s based on its good ratings in crash testing, which is pretty surprising considering the tiny stature.
It may have even reached the TSP+ ratings if the headlights were up to par. The headlight rating was “marginal,” relegating the 2017 Mini Cooper to sit at the kiddie table.
The 2017 Toyota Yaris iA is one of just two minicars on the market to achieve IIHS Top Safety Pick ratings. This model was formerly from the Scion brand, now wrapped into Toyota’s expanding lineup.
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While its crash ratings are “good” across the board, headlight ratings are “poor.” Meaning Toyota will need to brighten up the lighting to do better next year.
Although it’s a niche car, Chevrolet’s Volt hybrid is one of several compact cars to get the highest rating of Top Safety Pick +. Along with top-rated collision rankings, the 2017 Chevrolet Volt has “good” headlights.
However, the Volt only qualifies for TSP+ rating when it comes equipped with the Driver Confidence Package II consisting of Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist, Low-speed Front Automatic Braking, Following Distance Indicator and IntelliBeam headlamps.
Both the Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback receive Top Safety Pick + ratings for 2017, but only when equipped with LED projector headlights and Smart Brake Support, Smart City Brake Support, and i-ActivSense technology.
That means only the Grand Touring trim with Premium Equipment package are eligible for the TSP+ rating. See how this compact car stacks up against a competitor in this side-by-side comparison with the Mazda3 vs Chevy Cruze.
Surprise of all surprises, the Honda Accord hits the list. As you’d expect from Honda, the 2017 Accord sedan is highly rated in all crash aspects.
However, what you might not expect is that the Touring trim level, with LED headlights, falls short of the TSP+ rating. Its LED lights fall into the “marginal” rating, while all other halogen headlight-equipped trims are rated as ‘acceptable’.
Another shocker, the 2017 Toyota Camry is one of the safest cars on the road. What may be unexpected is that, like the Accord, the Camry’s advanced LED lighting is substandard.
Only the halogen projector-equipped XLE, XSE and XLE Hybrid models are TSP+ rated, while all other trims fall flat on lighting. Also, the 2017 Toyota Camry must be equipped with the optional Pre-Collision System to qualify.
One of the better-looking cars on the midsize luxury list, the 2017 Lincoln MKZ needs better lighting to achieve TSP+ rating. However, its front crash protection is one of the best when it’s equipped with optional Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection.
Don’t overlook the Lincoln MKZ based on headlights alone. After all, we all have our minor flaws, don’t we?
One of the most popular midsize luxury sedans, the 2017 BMW 3 Series hits the list. When you’re paying a premium price, you’d expect it, but maybe you shouldn’t.
When equipped with Frontal Collision Warning and Collision Mitigation systems and curve-adaptive LED headlights, the 3 Series is a Top Safety Pick + model, yet only the ones built after November 2016. Before that, small overlap crash ratings just miss the mark because of potential lower leg injuries.
You’d expect that larger cars would be highly ranked in safety, but only two make the list. The first is the 2017 Buick LaCrosse, and only as a Top Safety Pick, no plus.
The Buick LaCrosse stands out as an excellent performer in crash ratings and does well to prevent collisions with Forward Collision Alert. However, its HID projector headlights are below average, pulling in a “poor” rating. I guess that means you won’t see the collision coming.
Aside from the Buick, the 2017 Toyota Avalon is the only other Large non-luxury car to get the TSP rating. Its standard Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection definitely lends itself to the rankings, but like so many others, it’s the headlights that need improvement.
Models with LED projector headlights get a “marginal” rating, while all others are considered “poor.” Toyota, you’ve got work to do.
The Hyundai offshoot, Genesis, is an immediate winner in our hearts. Like all Hyundai models, Genesis has phenomenal value while providing a better experience than the average Hyundai. The 2017 G90 is no exception, and safety does not suffer for it.
Each Genesis G90 has standard Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning for top marks in safety. In addition, the headlights are rated as “good.” At least, that goes for the 5.0 Ultimate trim level. The 2017 Genesis G90 is rated as a Top Safety Pick +.
Coupes aren’t commonly found on the safest cars lists, but here’s one from Lexus. The 2017 Lexus RC squeaks in there when it’s equipped with the optional Pre-Collision System and NOT the Premium Triple Beam LED headlights.
The Lexus RC is a Top Safety Pick + rated coupe equipped as such. That means sports cars CAN be safe, right?
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