IIHS announced its 2026 Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards on March 24, 2026, with significantly tougher crash avoidance requirements. Despite the higher bar, 63 vehicles qualified (up from 48 at the same point in 2025). Vehicles with TSP+ ratings from insurers using HLDI data typically see 5-15% lower collision and comprehensive premiums.
IIHS raised crash avoidance requirements for 2026 Top Safety Pick awards to include vehicle-to-vehicle tests at speeds up to 43 mph, targeting passenger cars, motorcycles, and semi-trailers. Despite the tougher criteria, 63 vehicles earned awards as of March 24, 2026, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That total is up from 48 at the same point last year, signaling rapid progress in crash prevention technology across the industry.
For car shoppers comparing insurance quotes, the distinction matters financially. HLDI (Highway Loss Data Institute) tracks insurance losses by make and model across 150 million insured vehicles, and vehicles with advanced crash avoidance systems consistently show lower claim frequency. Carriers like State Farm, Progressive, and GEICO reference IIHS-HLDI data when setting premiums, so a TSP+ vehicle can translate to $150-$400 per year in savings depending on your state and coverage level.
- 63 vehicles earn 2026 IIHS awards: 45 Top Safety Pick+ and 18 Top Safety Pick
- Crash avoidance tests now include 31, 37, and 43 mph scenarios with motorcycle and semi-trailer targets
- 77% of 2026 models tested meet the new crash avoidance standard (up from 70% in 2025)
- More than a dozen TSP+ winners start below $30,000, with the Kia K4 at $22,290
- Zero minicars, minivans, or small pickups qualify in 2026
What Changed in the 2026 Criteria
IIHS President David Harkey announced two major shifts for the 2026 award season. First, both Top Safety Pick and TSP+ now require a "good" rating in the moderate overlap front test, which evaluates back seat passenger protection. Previously, TSP required only an "acceptable" rating in that test. Second, TSP+ vehicles must pass a new vehicle-to-vehicle crash avoidance evaluation at higher speeds.
The new vehicle-to-vehicle test runs at 31, 37, and 43 mph (50, 60, and 70 km/h), according to IIHS. Three target types are used: a passenger car, a motorcycle, and a semi-trailer. The original vehicle-to-vehicle evaluation, discontinued in 2022, focused only on rear-end crashes at lower speeds with a single car target. Qualifying crash prevention systems must also come standard on all trims for either award in 2026.
IIHS upgraded the moderate overlap front test requirement from "acceptable" to "good" for both award levels. This test specifically measures how well a vehicle protects rear passengers in a frontal crash. Minivans, which typically carry families in back seats, failed to earn any awards in 2026 because of poor performance in this test.
Harkey specifically called out the minivan segment in his announcement. "It's disappointing that minivans continue to struggle to provide the best-available protection for passengers in the back, considering that these are supposed to be family vehicles," he said. Parents shopping for a family vehicle may want to consider SUVs and sedans that earned TSP+ instead.
2026 TSP+ Winners by Category and Price
SUVs dominate the 2026 awards, accounting for 35 of 45 TSP+ winners and 12 of 18 TSP winners. More than a dozen TSP+ models start under $30,000, making top-tier safety accessible at mainstream price points. Our full IIHS 2026 winners breakdown covers every model; here are the highlights by category.
| Category | TSP+ Winners | Lowest Starting MSRP | Notable Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Cars | 4 | $22,290 (Kia K4) | Mazda 3, Nissan Sentra |
| Midsize Cars | 2 | ~$30,000 (Toyota Camry) | Hyundai Sonata |
| Small SUVs | 9 | $25,500 (Hyundai Kona) | Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-50, Ioniq 5 |
| Midsize SUVs | 14 | Under $40,000 (multiple) | Honda Passport, Subaru Outback, Mazda CX-90 |
| Midsize Luxury SUVs | 11 | ~$45,000 (Lexus NX) | Audi Q5, BMW X3, BMW X5, Genesis GV80 |
| Large SUVs | 2 | $55,000+ | Rivian R1S, Volvo EX90 |
| Large Pickups | 1 | $60,990 (Tesla Cybertruck) | Only large pickup to earn TSP+ |
Source: IIHS, March 24, 2026. MSRPs are manufacturer suggested retail prices excluding destination fees. Awards are based on vehicles tested as of the announcement date; additional models may qualify later in the year.
Mazda leads in affordable safety, with the Mazda 3 hatchback, CX-30, CX-50, CX-70, CX-70 PHEV, CX-90, and CX-90 PHEV all earning TSP+. A recent HLDI study found that Mazda's ADAS bundles cut insurance claims by 39%, reinforcing the brand's position as an over-performer in safety relative to price.
Audi collected six TSP+ awards across luxury segments, including the A5, Q5, Q5 Sportback, and two 2027 model year entries (Q6 e-tron and A6 Sportback e-tron). Hyundai and its Genesis luxury brand combined for seven total awards, including the electric Ioniq 5, Ioniq 9, and GV60.
Models That Missed the Cut
The tougher back seat protection requirement eliminated entire vehicle categories from contention. Zero minicars, minivans, or small pickups earned either award level in 2026, according to IIHS. Only two large pickups qualified at all: the Tesla Cybertruck (TSP+) and the Toyota Tundra crew cab (TSP). Popular models like the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram 1500 are absent from both lists.
The TSP (non-plus) roster includes familiar names that fell short of the tougher TSP+ crash avoidance bar: Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Toyota Prius, Ford Explorer, and Ford Mustang Mach-E. These vehicles earned "good" in all crash tests but did not achieve the required vehicle-to-vehicle crash avoidance rating at higher speeds.
How IIHS Ratings Affect Your Insurance Premiums
HLDI tracks collision, comprehensive, and liability claim data for every vehicle make and model across roughly 80% of all privately insured vehicles in the U.S., covering more than 150 million cars. Vehicles rated above average in HLDI's loss index (for example, a score of 110, meaning claims 10% above the industry average) cost more to insure. Vehicles below average (a score of 90) cost less.
A 5% vehicle safety discount on a $200/month premium saves $120 annually, according to industry estimates. That same 5% on a $380/month premium (common in states like Florida, Michigan, and Louisiana) saves $228 per year. Automatic emergency braking systems, which are now required as standard equipment for IIHS awards, can earn up to 10-15% in ADAS discounts from carriers like State Farm and Progressive.
IIHS President Harkey connected the awards directly to crash reduction goals. "Improving crash avoidance is key to achieving our 30x30 vision of reducing U.S. crash deaths by 30% by 2030," he said. "Stronger structures and better seat belts save lives, but the safest crash is the one that never happens." That philosophy aligns with how insurers price risk: fewer crashes per vehicle model mean lower claims, which eventually translate to lower premiums for drivers.
What You Should Do Now
Check Your Current Vehicle's IIHS Rating
Visit our IIHS test coverage or iihs.org/ratings to see how your car performs. Compare its rating to the 2026 award winners, especially if you are shopping for a new vehicle.
Ask Your Insurer About ADAS Discounts
Call your carrier and ask specifically about discounts for automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. State Farm, Progressive, Allstate, and GEICO all offer ADAS-related discounts ranging from 3% to 15%.
Compare Quotes If You Drive a TSP+ Vehicle
Carriers weigh IIHS/HLDI data differently. Get quotes from at least three insurers to find the carrier that gives the most credit for your vehicle's safety rating. Use our car insurance comparison guide to compare rates by state.
Factor Insurance Costs into Your Next Car Purchase
A TSP+ sedan or small SUV starting under $30,000 (like the Kia K4 at $22,290 or the Hyundai Kona at $25,500) can save $150-$400/year in insurance over a vehicle with poor safety ratings. Over a five-year ownership period, that adds up to $750-$2,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both awards require "good" ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side crash tests plus acceptable or good headlights. TSP+ adds two requirements: a "good" rating in the pedestrian crash prevention test and an acceptable or good rating in the new vehicle-to-vehicle crash avoidance evaluation at speeds up to 43 mph. TSP requires only acceptable or good pedestrian crash prevention.
Yes, indirectly. Insurers use HLDI loss data, which tracks claims by vehicle make and model across 150 million insured cars. TSP+ vehicles statistically have lower injury and collision claim rates, so they typically receive 5-15% lower premiums from carriers that use this data. Ask your insurer specifically about ADAS and vehicle safety discounts.
IIHS tightened the moderate overlap front test requirement from "acceptable" to "good" for both award levels in 2026. This test specifically evaluates rear passenger protection in frontal crashes. Minivans struggled to meet this standard, despite being marketed as family vehicles. IIHS President David Harkey called the results "disappointing."
The Kia K4 at $22,290 MSRP is the most affordable TSP+ winner for 2026. Other budget-friendly TSP+ options include the Mazda 3 hatchback, Nissan Sentra, and Hyundai Kona (starting at $25,500). More than a dozen TSP+ vehicles start under $30,000.
- IIHS - IIHS Pushes Improvements in Crash Avoidance with 2026 Awards (March 24, 2026)
- IIHS - 2026 Top Safety Picks Complete List
- HLDI - Insurance Losses by Make and Model
- Jalopnik - More Cars Get IIHS Top Safety Pick Awards Despite Tougher 2026 Rules
- Repairer Driven News - IIHS Awards Show Crash Avoidance Improvement (March 26, 2026)