Safety First, but Not for US Automakers

Only two vehicles manufactured by a Detroit Three automakers made the list of 61 2016 model year vehicles with top safety performance. The Chrysler 200 from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (NYSE: FCAU) was recognized among the 48 Top Safety Pick+ winners, and the Ford F-150 SuperCrew from Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) was rated as a Top Safety Pick along with 12 other vehicles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released its 10th annual list on Thursday, and the manufacturer with the most top picks is Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) with nine models on the Top Safety Pick+ list, including some from the company’s Scion and Lexus brands.

For the first time, model year 2016’s top-rated vehicles were required to achieve a good rating on the small overlap front crash test that simulates a left-front collision with a stationary object like a tree or telephone pole. This test has been a stumbling block since IIHS introduced it in 2012.
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According to the IIHS, the base requirements to be named to either list are good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, and a standard or optional front crash prevention system:

The 48 winners of the “plus” award have a superior- or advanced-rated front crash prevention system with automatic braking capabilities. These vehicles must stop or slow down without driver intervention before hitting a target in tests at 12 mph, 25 mph or both. Models with a basic-rated front crash prevention system, which typically only issues a warning and doesn’t brake, qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK.

The Top Safety Pick+ list includes 48 vehicles, and the Top Safety Pick list includes an additional 13 vehicles. Last year, 71 vehicles made the initial versions of the lists, and by the end of the year the total for both lists grew to 99, as IIHS adds top performers to the lists as test results are released throughout the year.

The Top Safety Pick+ vehicles from Toyota include the Scion iA, the Lexus CT 200h, the Camry, the Prius v, the Lexus ES, the Avalon, the Lexus RC, the RAV4 and the Lexus NX.

Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) placed eight vehicles on the “plus” list and one on the top pick list. The eight Top Safety Pick+ vehicles are the Acura ILX, the Accord four-door sedan and two-door coupe, the Acura RLX, the CR-V, the Pilot, the Acura MDX and the Acura RDX. The Honda Odyssey minivan made the Top Safety Pick list.

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) did not have a top pick on either IIHS list, and as we’ve already noted, Chrysler had just one named to the “plus” list and Ford had one named to the top pick list. U.S. carmakers did not exactly cover themselves in glory.
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IIHS suggests that new car buyers ask for autobraking and forward collision warning features when shopping for a new car. The group’s president also noted, “Look for good ratings in IIHS evaluations and at least 4 of 5 stars from NHTSA. And remember that larger, heavier vehicles offer the best protection in a crash.” The IIHS lists are available here.