IIHS Recognizes Vehicles as 2025 Top Safety Picks for Effective Protection of Rear Seat Passengers
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has announced its safety awards for 2025, with a significant shift in the criteria to prioritise rear-seat protection and more rigorous crash tests. As a result, the number of vehicles qualifying for Top Safety Pick (TSP) and Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) awards has dropped dramatically, from 71 models in 2024 to just 48 models in 2025.
Updated Safety Standards
The IIHS has revised the moderate overlap front crash test to assess back seat safety more rigorously, with a second dummy now included in the rear seat. To qualify for TSP in 2025, a vehicle must earn at least an "acceptable" rating in this updated test, and a "good" rating is required for TSP+. Additionally, pedestrian crash prevention tests have been merged into one comprehensive evaluation, requiring at least an "acceptable" rating to qualify.
Winners and Losers
SUVs dominate the list of winners, reflecting their large market share and stronger performance in the tougher tests. No minicars, large cars, minivans, or small pickups qualified this year. Notably, the 2025 Tesla Model Y and the 2025 Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid (for models built after December 2024) are among the few to earn TSP+ under the stricter 2025 criteria.
Only 36 models earned the higher TSP+ award and 12 earned TSP in 2025, a reduction reflecting the tougher rear-seat and crash prevention standards. Among the winners in the large SUV category for 2025 are the Rivian R1S built after August 2024, the Infiniti QX80, and the Audi Q7.
Additional Requirements
To earn either award, vehicles must also achieve good ratings in the small overlap front test and the updated side-impact evaluation. All trim levels must feature headlights rated as acceptable or better, and these headlights must perform well in both daytime and nighttime conditions.
Pedestrian Safety
The updated criteria also place a greater emphasis on pedestrian safety. All winners must have pedestrian crash prevention systems that perform well in both daytime and nighttime conditions, and all trim levels must feature headlights rated as acceptable or better.
Impact on the Market
The stricter criteria have resulted in a smaller pool of eligible vehicles, with many smaller vehicle segments falling short under the new tougher criteria. This could potentially lead to a shift in consumer preferences towards safer vehicles, particularly SUVs, as they dominate the list of winners.
In conclusion, the 2025 IIHS safety standard updates emphasising rear-seat occupant protection and more comprehensive crash tests have reduced the pool of vehicles eligible for Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards, with SUVs making up most of the winners and many smaller vehicle segments falling short under the new tougher criteria.
- The health-and-wellness sector, focusing on back seat safety, has received attention from the insurance industry, as the IIHS has revised the moderate overlap front crash test to include a second dummy in the rear seat.
- The finance industry might experience shifts in consumer preferences within the automotive sector, as the updated safety standards have favored SUVs, with only a few minicars, large cars, minivans, small pickups, and none from the year 2025 qualifying for Top Safety Pick (TSP) or Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) awards.
- As part of the new comprehensive evaluation, companies in the science and technology industry, such as Tesla and Volvo, have had to meet more rigorous pedestrian crash prevention tests to keep their vehicles eligible for TSP+ awards, with the 2025 Tesla Model Y and the post-December 2024 Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid being among the few successful candidates.
