2024 IIHS Top Safety Award Winners: A Detailed Look
According to Transport Canada’s National Collision Database (NCDB), the number of motor vehicle fatalities in 2022 was up 6.0% from 2021 and was the second-highest count in the last ten years. Total injuries also increased, up 9.5% from the previous year. With the statistics rising year after year, vehicle safety is now more crucial for drivers than ever.
Many drivers and researchers look to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) when researching the highest-performing vehicles regarding safety and crash testing.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, non-profit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries, and property damage from motor vehicle crashes through research and evaluation and through education of consumers, policymakers and safety professionals.
The IIHS aims to reduce losses from motor vehicle crashes by addressing deaths, injuries, and property damage through research and reporting on crashworthiness, crash avoidance, and roadway design.
Every year, the IIHS releases its Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards, which are given to vehicles that perform well in crash testing and other evaluations conducted by the organization.
In this blog, we will highlight the 2024 winners, showcase the critical safety features to look for, and provide maintenance tips to keep your vehicle in top shape, helping you and your family feel safe on the road.
What is the IIHS and Top Safety Pick Awards?
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety was created in 1959 by three leading insurance associations representing 80% of the U.S. auto insurance market. Initially, it was meant to support the highway safety efforts made by others, but in 1969, IIHS was revamped as an independent research organization. This change broadened the focus of highway safety from just crash prevention to using a modern, scientific approach to identify a wide range of options for reducing crash losses.
- Human factors research addresses problems associated with teenage drivers, alcohol-impaired driving, truck driver fatigue and seat belt use, to name a few.
- Vehicle research focuses on both crash avoidance and crashworthiness. Crash tests are central to crashworthiness research, and IIHS testing expanded with the opening of the Vehicle Research Center (VRC).
- Research about the physical environment includes, for example, assessment of roadway designs to reduce run-off-the-road crashes and eliminate roadside hazards.
There are two award categories: Top Safety Pick+ and Top Safety Pick. The Top Safety Pick award was first granted in 2006, while the more stringent Top Safety Pick+ award came out in 2013.
The IHS tests vehicles for side, roof, front crash safety, headlight performance, and front crash prevention systems. Vehicles are rated Poor, Marginal, Acceptable, or Good. Vehicles that perform well in all tests receive a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ designation—the highest award. Additionally, the IIHS evaluates LATCH hardware for easy child car seat installation, but this is not included in the TSP and TSP+ criteria.
Remember that different vehicle sizes are tested in their separate categories, and these tests have become more rigorous over time. Safety ratings between model years are not always comparable due to changes in the criteria over time.
2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award winners
Small Cars |
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Midsize cars |
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Large luxury car |
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Small SUVs |
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Midsized SUVs |
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Midsize luxury SUVs |
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Large pickups |
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2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick Award winners
Small Cars |
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Midsize Cars |
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Large Car |
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Midsize Luxury Cars |
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Large Luxury Cars |
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Small SUVs |
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Midsize SUVs |
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Midsize Luxury SUVs |
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Large SUVs |
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Minivans |
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Small Pickup |
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Large Pickups |
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Additional Safety Features to Consider
As mentioned, the IIHS Safety Awards implement rigorous safety testing; it’s important to note that some features, such as those listed below, are not always directly covered by IIHS tests.
- Adaptive headlights – Adaptive driving beams automatically adjust to the presence of vehicles and/or road conditions by dimming or increasing a vehicle’s headlight beams. When sensors detect other cars on the road, they selectively dim or turn off some lights. In September of 2021, all new vehicles sold in Canada were required to have headlights, taillights, and side lights that automatically turn on in the dark. It's a safety issue, says Transport Canada, which announced the rules changes were coming two years ago. With more lights on, cars won't look like "phantom vehicles."
- Teen driver technology - Teen Driver is a virtual backseat driver, with no parental nagging required. Like an academic report card, the technology updates parents and teens on driving performance and areas for improvement. Parents can set limits on speed and audio levels, along with speed alerts to nudge teens to slow down. Currently, Chevrolet is the only automaker that offers a system like Teen Driver. It is either standard or available across the entire lineup, delivering the following standard features designed to encourage your teen to drive safely and confidently.
- Connected safety features (automatic crash notification) - An automatic crash notification system is a safety feature designed to contact emergency services when a crash occurs. Some systems can automatically provide the vehicle's location when contacting the emergency services.
Although these features are not included in the IIHS Safety Awards, they are crucial for improving your family’s safety when on the road. The next time you shop for a new vehicle, you might want to consider these additional safety features.
Go Auto: Your Trusted Partner in Safety
At Go Auto, safety is our top priority.
We are dedicated to helping with all your automotive needs while ensuring your and your family's safety on the road. We prioritize vehicles with top safety ratings and rely on organizations such as IIHS and their safety awards to assure our customers that they can feel at ease on the road when considering a new vehicle.
We also offer safety services and programs such as vehicle inspections and maintenance tips. When you download our Go Auto App, your entire service history is stored safely in one place. This means no more searching for service history – you can easily know what maintenance needs attention.
Our goal is to keep you safely on the road for as long as possible. Call our team to speak with one of our Service Advisors about booking the right maintenance appointment for your vehicle.
How To Maintain Your Vehicle’s Safety
It's generally recommended to bring your vehicle in for maintenance at least every six months or every 5,000 - 8,000 km. If you drive your vehicle more frequently or in harsh conditions, like those Canadian winters, you will need to bring it in for maintenance much sooner.
While many components in your vehicle may only need to be checked once a year, others should be checked more frequently, and your driving habits can greatly impact this.
Major car maintenance is usually done once or twice a year. The kilometer interval will depend on your vehicle's year, make, and model, but it typically occurs every 20,000 to 30,000 km. During these service appointments, your vehicle will be thoroughly inspected for various components, potential replacement of particular parts, tire rotation, and more.
With every Go Auto maintenance appointment, our team will go through a vehicle maintenance checklist, which includes the following items:
- Engine oil change
- Filter replacement
- Check and adjust all vehicle fluids, including coolant and transmission fluid.
- Check and adjust tire pressure, inspect overall tire wear and tear
- Check brake pad wear and tear
Whether you're in the market for a new vehicle or content with your current model, it's crucial to prioritize maintenance and safety. The IIHS Top Safety Picks are a helpful resource for consumers considering new vehicles.
Interested in learning more? The team at Go Auto is eager to assist you in exploring our range of safe and reliable vehicles. If you're looking for a model recognized as an IIHS Top Safety Pick, we can provide you with more information about that specific model.
Visit your nearest Go Auto dealership today to test drive a Top Safety Pick winner.
