Six new vehicles from Hyundai, Kia, Toyota and Nissan earned 2025 Top Safety Pick+ awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, while several models from Ford and Volkswagen failed to meet the stricter criteria.
The award recipients include the Hyundai Elantra, Kia K4, Toyota Prius, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota bZ4X and Nissan Murano. To qualify for the Institute’s top-tier designation, vehicles must earn good ratings in both the small overlap front and updated side crash tests, achieve an acceptable or good pedestrian front crash prevention rating, and come equipped with acceptable or good headlights across all trim levels. Additionally, Top Safety Pick+ requires a good rating in the updated moderate overlap front crash test.
Some models only qualify for the award when manufactured after specific production updates that improved safety. For example, the award applies to Elantras built after October 2024, Sonatas built after November 2024 and K4s built after January 2025, according to a news release from IIHS. The Toyota bZ4X qualifies only for vehicles built after December 2024, when its XLE trim received upgraded headlights now rated as “good.”
In contrast, the 2025 Ford Bronco, Ford Bronco Sport and Volkswagen Taos did not qualify for either safety designation due to shortcomings in crash test performance and other safety measures.
The Ford Bronco was disqualified for its marginal ratings for its headlights, pedestrian front crash prevention system and moderate overlap crash performance. Notably, dummy measurements in the moderate overlap test suggested an elevated risk of chest injuries for rear-seat occupants.
The Bronco Sport showed different issues in the same test. During the test, the rear dummy’s lap belt slid up onto the abdomen from the ideal position on the pelvis, which may increase the risk of internal injuries, IIHS noted. It also received only an acceptable rating in the side impact test due to high injury metrics to the driver's pelvis.
Volkswagen’s 2025 Taos continued to struggle with structural integrity and occupant protection. Despite safety updates made in January 2025, including the addition of pretensioners and load limiters to the rear seat belts, rear passenger chest injury metrics remained high, preventing the vehicle from earning an award.
While three additional IIHS evaluations — vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention, seat belt reminders, and LATCH ease of use — are not factored into award decisions, they remain relevant for consumers considering overall vehicle safety.
