IIHS released its 2026 Top Safety Pick awards on March 24, naming 63 winners so far — up from 48 at the same point last year. The Tesla Cybertruck is the only pickup to earn the top TSP+ rating, while the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Chevy Silverado all missed the list. No minivans or minicars qualified either.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety unveiled its 2026 Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ award winners on March 24, and the results deliver some genuinely unexpected outcomes. Despite tougher testing criteria that now demand superior back-seat protection and advanced crash avoidance systems, 63 vehicles made the cut — 15 more than at the same point in 2025.
For car shoppers and current vehicle owners, the list is a practical guide to the safest cars on the road right now. It also carries real financial implications: vehicles with top IIHS ratings historically qualify for lower auto insurance premiums because they generate fewer and less costly insurance claims.
- 63 vehicles qualify so far: 45 earn Top Safety Pick+ and 18 earn Top Safety Pick
- Tesla Cybertruck is the only pickup with a TSP+ award — Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Silverado are absent
- No minicars or minivans qualify, raising concerns for family vehicle buyers
- Many TSP+ winners start under $30,000, with the Kia K4 at just $22,290
- New 2026 criteria require good back-seat protection and standard crash avoidance tech
What Changed for 2026
IIHS raised the bar significantly this year. Two changes stand out. First, vehicles must now earn a Good rating in the moderate overlap front test — which evaluates back-seat passenger protection — for either award. Last year, a Top Safety Pick only required an Acceptable rating in this test.
Second, the Top Safety Pick+ now requires an Acceptable or Good rating in the new vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention test 2.0. This evaluation runs at 31, 37, and 43 mph and tests the vehicle's ability to avoid collisions with a passenger car, a motorcycle, and a semitrailer. Qualifying crash avoidance systems must also be standard equipment — not an optional add-on — for any award in 2026.
"This year, we're asking automakers to make excellent protection for back seat passengers the norm," IIHS President David Harkey said. "For Top Safety Pick+, we're requiring crash avoidance systems that are better at preventing pedestrian crashes as well as higher speed crashes with other vehicles."
Despite the tougher rules, more than 77% of 2026 models tested so far meet the new crash avoidance standard, up from 70% of 2025 models. Automakers are clearly making fast progress on this technology.
The Biggest Surprises on the 2026 List
Cybertruck Wins, F-150 Misses
The Tesla Cybertruck earned a Top Safety Pick+ — making it the only pickup truck with both the IIHS's highest rating and a NHTSA 5-star safety rating. The polarizing stainless-steel truck aced every test category, including back-seat protection in the moderate overlap evaluation.
Meanwhile, the Ford F-150 — America's best-selling vehicle for more than 40 consecutive years — is nowhere on the list. The F-150 received a Poor rating in the updated moderate overlap test due to inadequate rear-passenger restraints that increase the risk of the back-seat occupant sliding forward beneath the lap belt during a frontal crash. The Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 also failed to qualify for the same reason.
The Toyota Tundra crew cab is the only other pickup to earn any award, qualifying for the base Top Safety Pick.
No Minivans Qualify — Again
For families relying on minivans as their primary vehicle, the news is disappointing. Zero minivans earned either award in 2026, continuing a troubling pattern. The vehicles marketed most aggressively as family haulers consistently struggle to protect back-seat passengers in the moderate overlap test.
"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," Harkey said. "Based on these results, parents may want to consider some of the more affordable sedans and SUVs that earn awards."
Safest Cars Under $30,000
Strong safety does not require a luxury price tag. More than a dozen Top Safety Pick+ winners start under $30,000. Here are the most affordable options with the highest IIHS rating:
| Vehicle | Award | Starting MSRP | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia K4 | TSP+ | $22,290 | Small car |
| Nissan Sentra | TSP+ | $22,830 | Small car |
| Mazda 3 sedan | TSP+ | $24,970 | Small car |
| Mazda 3 hatchback | TSP+ | $25,670 | Small car |
| Hyundai Kona | TSP+ | $25,500 | Small SUV |
| Honda HR-V | TSP+ | $26,550 | Small SUV |
The Kia K4, which replaced the discontinued Forte, is the cheapest vehicle on the entire TSP+ list at $22,290. For small SUV buyers, the Hyundai Kona and Honda HR-V both start around $25,500-$26,500 and deliver the highest safety designation.
Full List of 2026 IIHS Award Winners
Top Safety Pick+ Winners (45 vehicles)
Small cars: Kia K4, Mazda 3 hatchback, Mazda 3 sedan, Nissan Sentra
Midsize cars: Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry
Luxury cars: Audi A5 (midsize), 2027 Audi A6 Sportback e-tron (large), Genesis G80 (large, built after June 2025)
Small SUVs: Genesis GV60, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Kona, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage (built after May 2025), Mazda CX-30, Mazda CX-50, Subaru Forester
Midsize SUVs: Honda Passport, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia EV9, Kia Sorento (built after September 2025), Mazda CX-70, Mazda CX-70 PHEV, Mazda CX-90, Mazda CX-90 PHEV, Nissan Murano, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Ascent, Subaru Outback
Midsize luxury SUVs: Audi Q5, Audi Q5 Sportback, 2027 Audi Q6 e-tron, 2027 Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron, BMW X3, BMW X5, Genesis Electrified GV70, Genesis GV70, Genesis GV80, Infiniti QX60, Lexus NX
Large SUVs: Rivian R1S, Volvo EX90
Large pickup: Tesla Cybertruck
Top Safety Pick Winners (18 vehicles)
Small cars: Honda Civic hatchback, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Prius
Midsize cars: Honda Accord
Midsize luxury car: Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Midsize SUVs: Buick Enclave, Ford Explorer, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen Atlas, Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Midsize luxury SUVs: Lincoln Nautilus, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Volvo XC90, Volvo XC90 Plug-in Hybrid
Large SUVs: Audi Q7, Infiniti QX80, Nissan Armada
Large pickup: Toyota Tundra crew cab
What This Means for Your Insurance
IIHS ratings are not just safety bragging rights — they directly influence what you pay for auto insurance. The Highway Loss Data Institute, IIHS's sister organization, tracks actual insurance claim rates by vehicle make and model. Vehicles with better crash test ratings and effective crash avoidance technology consistently show lower claim frequencies for collision and property damage coverage.
A recent HLDI study of bundled advanced driver-assistance systems found that vehicles with comprehensive safety technology bundles reduced property damage liability claims by up to 39% and bodily injury claims by 21%. That translates to real premium savings over time as insurers adjust rates based on claim data.
If you drive a vehicle that earned a TSP+ this year, you may already qualify for safety-related discounts from your insurer. Conversely, if your truck missed the list — like the F-150 or Silverado — it does not necessarily mean your rates will increase immediately, but the long-term trend favors vehicles with better safety performance.
What You Should Do Now
Check If Your Vehicle Made the List
Visit iihs.org/ratings and search for your specific year, make, and model. If your car earned a TSP or TSP+, ask your insurer about safety discounts you may be missing.
Factor Safety Ratings Into Your Next Purchase
If you are shopping for a new car, prioritize vehicles on this list. A TSP+ vehicle could save you money on insurance premiums year after year, on top of better protecting your family.
Verify Your Safety Features Are Turned On
Many vehicles have automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, and blind spot monitoring that can be manually disabled. Check your vehicle settings to ensure all safety systems are active — they only reduce claims when they are actually working.
Looking Ahead
The 63 winners announced in March are just the first batch. IIHS will continue testing and adding vehicles throughout 2026, with a final list published in December. More automakers are expected to submit vehicles for evaluation as the year progresses.
The tougher 2026 criteria are part of IIHS's ambitious 30x30 initiative — a goal to reduce U.S. crash deaths by 30% by 2030. The fact that more vehicles are meeting these stricter standards, not fewer, suggests the industry is responding. For consumers, that means more safe and affordable options to choose from as the year unfolds.
Keep an eye on whether popular models like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Chevrolet Equinox earn awards later this year. These high-volume sellers have not been tested yet for 2026, and their results will affect millions of car buyers and insurance rates across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
It can. Many insurers offer discounts for vehicles with advanced safety features, and HLDI data shows that vehicles with top IIHS ratings tend to have lower claim frequencies. The exact discount varies by carrier and state, but it is worth asking your insurer if you drive a TSP or TSP+ vehicle.
The F-150 received a Poor rating in the updated moderate overlap front test, which now evaluates how well vehicles protect back-seat passengers. The truck's rear-passenger restraints were found to be inadequate, increasing the risk of injury during a frontal collision. The Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado have similar issues.
No. The 63 winners announced on March 24 are the initial batch. IIHS will continue testing vehicles throughout 2026 and publish a final list in December. More models will be added as they complete testing.
Minivans have consistently struggled with back-seat passenger protection in the moderate overlap front test. Since IIHS now requires a Good rating in this test for any award, no minivan has qualified. IIHS President David Harkey has specifically called this out as disappointing for vehicles marketed to families.
The 2026 Kia K4, starting at $22,290, is the most affordable Top Safety Pick+ winner. Other budget-friendly TSP+ options include the Nissan Sentra, Mazda 3, Hyundai Kona, and Honda HR-V, all starting under $27,000.
- IIHS - IIHS Pushes Improvements in Crash Avoidance with 2026 Awards (March 24, 2026)
- IIHS - 2026 Top Safety Picks Full List
- IIHS - 2026 Ford F-150 Crew Cab Pickup Ratings
- IIHS - Large Pickups Offer Strong Side Protection but Falter in Back Seat Safety
- Yahoo Autos - Tesla Cybertruck Is the Only Pickup to Earn IIHS's Highest Safety Rating for 2026
- IIHS/HLDI - Safety Benefits Stack Up from Driver Assistance Features (March 2026)