This year, 106 vehicles are included in the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICKS 2021 list; a major increase over the 69 models in 2020. PHOTO IIHS
The annual IIHS TOP SAFETY PICKS awards, published at the end of April, provide useful but surprising insight.
Among the approximately 920 2021 models available to the North American market – cars, SUVs, vans, pickups and hybrids – only a handful are still sweeping IIHS awards.
Of the 106 winners, Volvo stands out with 15 versions of its 10 models, followed by: Toyota 9, Subaru 9, Hyundai 8, Kia 7, Mazda 7 and Honda 6, all ranked in one or another category.
In terms of numbers, the so-called losers in this list of winners are vans – 2 – and pick-up trucks – 1, except that this is the first time that models in these categories have stood out in this competition for the safest vehicles of the last batch.
Volvo is the clear winner, with 15 versions of its models among the 2021 IIHS winners. PHOTO IIHS
A modernized past
Upon analysis, it is surprising that the IIHS criteria include not only the effectiveness of the standard and optional automatic obstacle and pedestrian braking systems but also the less than innovative equipment.
Although directional headlights and automatic low beam systems may seem like a novelty to new generations and should be promoted as the organization does, the same cannot be said for people who have driven older cars.
It would seem that the manufacturers are still unaware that Citroën’s 1967 DS, whose ground clearance could be adjusted at will, already had headlights that followed the steering angle, and that automated high beams have existed for ages.
Unsuitable headlights
Many people will be amazed to discover that, among these 2021 champions, some twenty models included in the TOP SAFETY PICKS list are equipped with halogen headlights, whereas in the TOP SAFETY PICKS + category there are only LED headlights.
However, it should not be concluded that LED headlights are the safer choice. They are only satisfactory in about sixty cases, mediocre in about twenty, and downright poor in about fifteen.
As many of the winning manufacturers have equipped their 2021 models with 3, 4 and even 5 sets of headlights (sometimes ranging from the best to the worst), it is particularly advisable to be familiar with their features before making any vehicle purchase.
Aiming for the top end?
In short, as magical as the letters LED seem, it’s important to take a closer look. Advanced driver-assistance systems don’t need lighting to warn of impending danger or to trigger emergency braking.
In any case, it is reassuring in all these respects to rely on the annual IIHS rankings, whose most rigorous test results allow one to make an informed choice, to bet on the top of the range if necessary.
Only models that meet the 6 IIHS crash tests are eligible for the TOP SAFETY PICKS awards.
In two tables, here is an exclusive summary of what makes each 2021 IIHS award-winning model so special, as well as the associated statistics by category.
Top Safety Pick +
F1
FCP: Vehicle to Obstacle*
F2
FCP: Vehicle to Pedestrian*
61
36
*
0
2
–
24
*
–
10
–
1
Lighting
Headlight 1
Directional
Headlight 2
Automatic
– Without
Equipment
39
97
3
Curved lighting is measured at a lateral range of 150 m and 250 m.
Brightness – Up to 4 versions per model
Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor
40
39
5
3
Low-beam: Maximum range in metres straight ahead
High-beam: Maximum range in metres straight aheadThe Hyundai Palisade SUV is one of the vehicles with a perfect IIHS record for all practical purposes. PHOTO IIHS
SAFETY PICKS + 2021
F1
F2
BrightnessA B C D
Lighting1 – 2
Low-Beam
/m
High-Beam
/m
ACURA RDX SUV +
2
D114
D169
ACURA TLX / Sedan +
2
D 89
D150
AUDI A6 Allroad / Family +
2
D100
D149
FORD Bronco SUV +
2
D 93
D159
GENESIS G90 / Sedan +
2
D127
D195
HONDA Insight / Sedan +
2
D107
D166
HYUNDAI Nexo SUV +
2
D131
D165
HYUNDAI Palisade SUV +
2
D110
D173
NISSAN Murano SUV +
2
D 91
D180
NISSAN Rogue SUV +
2
D121
D172
SUBARU Ascent SUV +
1-2
D109
D149
SUBARU Crosstrek Hybrid +
1-2
D 89
D157
SUBARU Forester SUV +
2
D128
D152
SUBARU Legacy / Sedan +
1-2
D135
D155
SUBARU Outback / Family +
1-2
D115
D159
VOLVO S60 / Sedan +
1-2
D 87
D157
VOLVO S60 Recharge / Sedan +
1-2
D 87
D157
VOLVO V60 / Family +
1-2
D 87
D157
VOLVO V60 Cross Country +
1-2
D 77
D153
VOLVO V60 Recharge / Family +
1-2
D 87
D157
VOLVO XC40 Recharge SUV +
1-2
D 98
D169
VOLVO XC40 SUV +
1-2
D 98
D169
GENESIS G70 / Sedan +
1-2
2
D117
D121
D150
D162
LEXUS NX SUV +
1-2
2
D130
D133
D145
D157
MAZDA CX-9 SUV +
1-2
2
D114
D120
D144
D147
TESLA 3 / Sedan +
2
2
D 93
D100
D160
D178
TOYOTA Sienna +
2
2
D108
D116
D159
D151
AUDI A6 / Sedan +
2
2
2
D 91
D100
D 78
D175
D149
D146
MAZDA CX-5 SUV +
1-2
2
2
D119
D119
D110
D140
D145
D148
MAZDA CX-30 SUV +
1-2
2
1-2
D128
D111
D136
D141
D136
D136
AUDI e-tron Sportback SUV +
2
2
D 82
D 82
D156
D154
AUDI e-tron SUV +
2
2
D 89
D 82
D156
D154
AUDI Q5 Sportback SUV +
2
2
D115
D 82
D163
D146
AUDI Q5 SUV +
2
2
D115
D 82
D163
D146
HONDA Accord / Sedan +
2
2
D110
D 96
D180
H155
LEXUS ES 350 / Sedan +
1-2
2
D119
D106
D142
D158
LEXUS IS / Sedan +
2
2
D141
D 85
D149
D154
MAZDA 3 / Sedan +
1-2
2
D 90
D103
D148
D132
MAZDA 3 / Hatchback +
1-2
2
D 90
D103
D148
D132
MAZDA 6 / Sedan +
1-2
2
D110
D106
D158
D154
MERCEDES GLE SUV +
*
1-2
–
D 86
D 80
D155
D155
TOYOTA Highlander SUV +
1-2
2
D106
D122
D153
D154
TOYOTA Camry / Sedan +
1-2
2
2
D103
D124
D 130
D147
D158
D155
MERCEDES E / Sedan +
1-2
2
–
2
–
D106
D 95
D 95
D 72
D 72
D163
D169
D169
D148
D148
KIA K5 / Sedan +
*
2
2
2
2
D 96
D 95
D 75
D 49
D184
D143
D141
D157
GENESIS GV80 SUV +
2
D 57
D156
HONDA Odyssey +
2
D 93
D142
MAZDA CX-3 SUV +
1-2
D 80
D154
NISSAN Maxima / Sedan +
1-2
D 73
D167
VOLVO V90 Cross Country +
1-2
D 70
D148
VOLVO XC60 Recharge SUV +
1-2
D 72
D158
VOLVO XC60 SUV +
1-2
D 72
D158
VOLVO XC90 Recharge SUV +
1-2
D 84
D152
VOLVO XC90 SUV +
1-2
D 84
D152
AUDI A7 / Hatchback +
2
2
D 96
D 81
D166
D155
CADILLAC XT6 SUV +
2
2
D 95
D 98
D153
D114
FORD Explorer SUV +
*
1-2
2
D 78
D 97
D135
D178
NISSAN Altima / Sedan +
2
2
D123
H 84
D161
H155
VOLVO S90 / Sedan +
1-2
1-2
D 72
D 90
D144
D135
VOLVO S90 Recharge / Sedan +
1-2
1-2
D 72
D 90
D144
D135
VOLVO V90 / Family +
1-2
1-2
D 72
D 90
D145
D135
Top Safety Pick 2021
F1
FCP: Vehicle to Obstacle*
F2
FCP: Vehicle to Pedestrian*
35
22
*
10
9
–
8
*
–
12
–
1
Lighting
Headlight 1
Directional
Headlight 2
Automatic
– Without
Equipment
24
94
18
Curved lighting is measured at a lateral range of 150 m and 250 m.
Brightness – Up to 4 versions per model
Good
Acceptable
Mediocre
Poor
36
22
25
31
Low-beam: Maximum range in metres straight ahead
High-beam: Maximum range in metres straight ahead
The Kia Soul, which has optional obstacle and pedestrian detection systems, has good directional headlights and automatic low beams. PHOTO IIHS
Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor
