2016 Top Safety Picks
Vehicles that perform best in our evaluations qualify for Top Safety Pick, which has been awarded since the 2006 model year, or Top Safety Pick+, which was inaugurated in 2013.
These awards identify the best vehicle choices for safety within size categories during a given year. Larger, heavier vehicles generally afford more protection than smaller, lighter ones. Thus, a small car that qualifies for an award might not protect its occupants as well as a bigger vehicle that doesn't earn the award.
Midsize luxury SUVs
Top Safety Pick+
2016 Acura MDX 4-door SUV
with optional front crash prevention
Top Safety Pick+
2016 Acura RDX 4-door SUV
with optional front crash prevention
Top Safety Pick+
2016 Audi Q5 4-door SUV
with optional front crash prevention
Top Safety Pick+
2016-17 Buick Envision 4-door SUV
with optional front crash prevention
Top Safety Pick+
2017 Cadillac XT5 4-door SUV
with optional front crash prevention
Top Safety Pick+
2016 Infiniti QX60 4-door SUV
with optional front crash prevention
Top Safety Pick+
2016 Lexus NX 4-door SUV
with optional front crash prevention
Top Safety Pick+
2016 Lexus RX 4-door SUV
with optional front crash prevention
Top Safety Pick+
2016 Lincoln MKX 4-door SUV
with optional front crash prevention
Top Safety Pick+
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class 4-door SUV
Top Safety Pick+
2016 Volvo XC60 4-door SUV
Top Safety Pick+
2016 Volvo XC90 4-door SUV
2016 criteria
To qualify for 2016 Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn good ratings in five crashworthiness tests — driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength and head restraints — as well as a basic rating for front crash prevention.
To qualify for 2016 Top Safety Pick+, a vehicle must earn good ratings in those five crashworthiness tests and an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.
Vehicles with optional front crash prevention qualify for either award only when equipped with the technology.