New Car Safety Ratings What’s Top This Year?
Understanding the Rating Systems
Choosing a new car involves many factors, but safety should always be near the top of the list. Several organizations meticulously test vehicles and provide safety ratings, helping consumers make informed decisions. The most prominent in the US are the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). The IIHS focuses on crashworthiness, awarding “Top Safety Pick” and “Top Safety Pick+” designations based on performance in various crash tests, headlight evaluations, and optional safety features like automatic emergency braking. The NHTSA uses a five-star rating system, assessing vehicle safety in