 has completed its summer tests and has awarded ten new vehicles with the distinction of either being a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick Plus. The IIHS tests vehicles on the level of protection it offers passengers in the event of a collision and evaluates how efficiently the vehicle’s […] "'Pin It")
10 Safest New Cars For 2016
The IIHS is a nonprofit scientific organization with the goal of saving lives.
Photo: Michael Noirot
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has completed its summer tests and has awarded ten new vehicles with the distinction of either being a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick Plus.
The IIHS tests vehicles on the level of protection it offers passengers in the event of a collision and evaluates how efficiently the vehicle’s technologies perform in avoiding collisions or limiting injuries. The IIHS assigns ratings of good, acceptable, marginal, or poor, in response to each vehicle’s performance in five tests, which examine the moderate overlap front, small overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints. The IIHS also assigns ratings of basic, advanced, or superior, on the subject of how well the vehicles avoid or mitigate crashes.
To become a Top Safety Pick, the vehicle must earn good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests, on top of receiving an acceptable or good rating in the small overlap front test. To become a Top Safety Pick Plus, the vehicle must earn Top Safety Pick distinction, in addition to receiving a superior or advanced rating in front crash prevention.
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[wptab name=”2015 Ford Flex”]
2015 Ford Flex
2015 Ford Flex
The 2015 Ford Flex received its Top Safety Pick distinction by earning an acceptable rating in the small overlap front test and good ratings in all other tests. The 2015 Ford Flex received compliments for its handling abilities and smooth performance. The Flex’s limited trim features a 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine that produces a healthy 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. The 2015 Ford Flex also comes standard with Ford Sync, which includes an emergency crash notification feature.
[/wptab]
[wptab name=’2015 Ford F-150′]
2015 Ford F-150
2015 Ford F-150
The 2015 Ford F-150 SuperCrew is the only full-size, light-duty pickup truck to earn 2015 Top Safety Pick recognition. The SuberCab and regular Cab trims were unable to earn the same distinction, but Ford has said it will make adjustments to the 2016 models so they can all become Top Safety Picks. The 2015 F-150 features an optional 5.0-liter V8 engine good for 385 hp and 387 lb-ft of torque and was previously awarded a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
[/wptab]
[wptab name=’2015 Chevrolet Sonic’]
2015 Chevrolet Sonic
2015 Chevrolet Sonic
It took two attempts, but design changes have enabled the midyear 2015 Chevy Sonic to earn a 2015 Top Safety Pick. The Sonic features ten standard airbags and two of those are knee airbags for both the front passenger and driver. The 2015 Sonic also includes optional safety features such as a lane departure warning, forward collision alert, and a rear view camera. The Sonic comes with the choice of two engines, the standard 1.8-liter four-cylinder good for 138 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque or an optional turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder, which is capable of 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque.
[/wptab]
[wptab name=’Toyota Prius’]
2015 Toyota Prius c
2015 Toyota Prius c
Structural improvements made to the front end and occupant compartment of the 2015 Toyota Prius c allowed the small hybrid to earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. The Prius c features the Star Safety System™ with vehicle stability control, anti-lock brake system, traction control, brake assist, smart-stop technology, and electronic brake-force distribution. The 2015 Prius c also features impressive fuel economy of 53 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the highway.
[/wptab]
[wptab name=’2016 Mazda6′]
2016 Mazda6
2016 Mazda6
The 2016 Mazda6 earned Top Safety Pick Plus honors from the IIHS with good ratings in all five standard tests and by receiving an advanced rating in the front crash prevention category. The 2016 Mazda6 features a rollover sensor, which was created to set off the side curtain airbags if it detected the vehicle was going to roll over. The Mazda6 also features anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control. The 2016 Mazda6 also won a J.D. Power APPEAL award for its segment.
[/wptab]
[wptab name=’2015 Nissan Murano’]
The 2015 Nissan Murano
2015 Nissan Murano
The 2015 Nissan Murano earned Top Safety Pick Plus accolades with a superior rating in front crash prevention and the highest possible rating of “good” in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints tests. The Murano comes with standard hill-start assist, front airbags, driver knee airbag, side curtain airbags, and a rearview camera. This Nissan also offers additional safety features such as a rollover sensor and a 360-degree around view monitor.
[/wptab]
[wptab name=’2016 Audi Q3′]
2016 Audi Q3
2016 Audi Q3
The 2016 Audi A3 earned its 2015 Top Safety Pick title by performing well in the five standard crash tests, but wasn’t eligible for Plus honors because it doesn’t include any front crash prevention technology. The Q3 does feature a rollover sensor, electronic stability control, and anti-lock brakes. The compact luxury SUV comes with a 2.0 TFSI engine that pumps out 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque.
[/wptab]
[wptab name=’2016 Audi Q5′]
2016 Audi Q5
2016 Audi Q5
Unlike the Q3, the 2016 Audi Q5 features optional crash prevention technology like forward collision warning and low-speed autobrake, which helped it earn the highest rating possible of Top Safety Pick Plus. The 2016 Audi Q5 also includes standard safety features such as rollover sensor, electronic stability control, electromechanical parking brake, and tire pressure monitoring system.
[/wptab]
[wptab name=’2016 Volkswagen Golf’]
2016 Volkswagen Golf
2016 Volkswagen Golf
The 2016 Volkswagen Golf received a Top Safety Pick Plus rating from the IIHS because of its good test performance, on top of its crash prevention technologies such as forward collision warning and low-speed autobrake. The 2016 Golf also includes other standard safety features such as anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and rollover sensor. The Golf sports a reasonable MSRP of $17,995 and has impressive fuel economy of 25 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.
[/wptab]
[wptab name=’2016 Volkswagen GTI’]
2016 Volkswagen GTI
2016 Volkswagen GTI
Like its cousin the VW Golf, the 2016 Volkswagen GTI also earned a Top Safety Pick Plus rating from the IIHS. The GTI recieved an advanced rating in front crash prevention thanks to its low-speed autobrake and forward collision warning technology. Other standard safety features include front and rear head curtain airbags, front seat-mounted torso airbags, and side airbags. The 2016 Volkswagen GTI is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine capable of up to 220 hp. The GTI also features respectable fuel economy of 25 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway.
[/wptab]
[end_wptabset]
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Source: iihs.org
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