Crash tests: These are the safest cars according to U.S. safety organization

Top Safety Pick

In Europe, automakers chase Euro NCAP stars. The more stars a car gets, the safer it is. In the United States, it’s all about the Top Safety Pick (TSP) and Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Once founded by a group of American insurers, this organization tests cars to the limit. To qualify for a TSP label this year, a car must not only perform well in frontal and side impacts, but also show that rear-seat occupants are well protected. It also looks at how well automatic emergency braking systems work.

Hyundai

By 2025, 48 models will meet the latest, more stringent requirements. Last year there were 71. Among them are many large SUVs and pickups that we never see here in Europe, but there are also plenty of familiar names on the list. Hyundai scores high in the U.S. safety tests this year, with models like the updated 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 (you can see the latter in the Euro NCAP photo above).

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Mazda

Mazda is also doing well and also manages to award almost all of its models with a Top Safety Pick+ award. This puts it, along with Hyundai, among the best performing brands. Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Honda and Subaru are also very safe, according to the IIHS. Among the 2025 winners are luxury sedans such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Toyota Camry, as well as electric SUVs such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Rivian R1S not delivered in Europe.

Also read: Survey: people who don’t drive electric yet find electric driving complicated