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.

2016 criteria

Top Safety Pick

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.

Top Safety Pick +

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.

Other years