Criteria: The Institute rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor based on performance in high-speed front and side crash tests, a rollover test, plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. To earn Top Safety Pick for 2012 a vehicle must have good ratings in all four Institute tests.
However, don't compare ratings across vehicle size groups because size and weight influence occupant protection in serious crashes. Larger, heavier vehicles generally afford more protection than smaller, lighter ones. Top Safety Picks are the best vehicle choices for safety within size categories, but this doesn't mean a small car that's a Top Safety Pick affords more protection than a bigger car that doesn't earn the award.
Note: 2012 Top Safety Picks are 2012 models, unless otherwise noted.
Minicars
- Fiat 500
built after July 2011 - Ford Fiesta
sedan/hatchback - Honda Fit
- Nissan Versa sedan
- Toyota Yaris hatchback
4-door models only
Small cars
- Acura ILX
2013 models
- Chevrolet Cruze
- Chevrolet Sonic
- Chevrolet Volt
- Dodge Dart
2013 models - Ford Focus
sedan/hatchback - Honda Civic 4-door
- Honda CR-Z
- Honda Insight
- Hyundai Elantra sedan
- Kia Forte
sedan models only - Kia Soul
- Lexus CT 200h
- Mazda 3
sedan/hatchback - Mini Cooper Countryman
- Mitsubishi Lancer
except Ralliart and Evolution models - Nissan Cube
- Nissan Juke
- Nissan Leaf
- Scion FR-S
2013 models - Scion tC
- Scion xB
- Scion xD
- Subaru BRZ
2013 models - Subaru Impreza
except WRX - Subaru XV Crosstrek
2013 models - Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Prius
- Toyota Prius c
- Volkswagen Golf
4-door models only - Volkswagen GTI
4-door models only
Midsize moderately
priced cars
- Audi A3
- Buick Verano
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Chevrolet Malibu
2013 models - Chrysler 200
4-door models only - Dodge Avenger
- Ford Fusion
- Ford Fusion
2013 models - Honda Accord
4-door models only
- Hyundai Sonata
- Kia Optima
- Subaru Legacy
- Subaru Outback
- Toyota Camry
- Toyota Prius v
- Volkswagen Jetta sedan
- Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
- Volkswagen Passat
- Volvo C30
Midsize luxury/
near luxury cars
- Acura TL
built after September 2011 - Acura TSX
sedan/Sport Wagon - Audi A4
sedan models only - BMW 3 series
sedan models only - Lexus ES 350
2013 models - Lincoln MKZ
- Mercedes C class
- Volkswagen CC
except 4-wheel drive V6 - Volvo S60
Large family cars
- Buick LaCrosse
- Buick Regal
- Chrysler 300
- Dodge Charger
- Ford Taurus
- Hyundai Azera
- Toyota Avalon
Large luxury cars
- Audi A6
- BMW 5 series
except 4-wheel drive and V8 - Cadillac CTS
sedan models only - Hyundai Equus
- Hyundai Genesis
- Infiniti M37/M56
except M56x 4-wheel drive - Lexus GS
2013 models - Lincoln MKS
- Mercedes E class 2-door
- Mercedes E class 4-door
- Saab 9-5
- Volvo S80
Small SUVs
- Ford Escape
2013 models - Honda CR-V
- Hyundai Tucson
- Jeep Patriot
with optional side torso airbags - Kia Sportage
- Mazda CX-5
2013 models - Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
- Subaru Forester
- Volkswagen Tiguan
Midsize SUVs
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Dodge Durango
- Dodge Journey
- Ford Edge
- Ford Explorer
- Ford Flex
- GMC Terrain
- Honda Pilot
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Hyundai Santa Fe
2013 models - Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Kia Sorento
- Subaru Tribeca
- Toyota Highlander
- Toyota Venza
Midsize luxury SUVs
- Acura MDX
- Acura RDX
2013 models - Audi Q5
- BMW X3
- Cadillac SRX
- Infiniti EX35
- Lexus RX
- Lincoln MKT
- Lincoln MKX
- Mercedes GLK
- Mercedes M class
- Saab 9-4X
- Volvo XC60
- Volvo XC90
Large SUVs
- Buick Enclave
- Chevrolet Traverse
- GMC Acadia
- Volkswagen Touareg
Minivans
- Chrysler Town & Country
- Dodge Grand Caravan
- Honda Odyssey
- Toyota Sienna
- Volkswagen Routan
Large pickups
- Ford F-150
crew cab models - Honda Ridgeline
- Toyota Tundra
crew cab models
