Three brands picked up vehicle safety awards after acing testing based on updated standards.
Audi, General Motors and Nissan took home the honors for 2025 models from the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Audi’s electric luxury compact crossover SUV Q6 e-Tron, the Buick Enclave full-size crossover SUV and the full-size Nissan Armada SUV won the institute’s highest award, the Top Safety Pick+. The GMC Acadia crossover SUV took its second-highest nod, the Top Safety Pick.
The Enclave and Acadia were awarded only for units produced after this past January, when the models’ headlights were upgraded to the level required for the awards.
To qualify for either of the top designations, IIHS requires vehicles to meet standards for good ratings in front and side crash tests; acceptable or good ratings in pedestrian front crash prevention; and acceptable or good ratings for headlights among all trims. To achieve the “plus” award, vehicles must also get a good rating in the front crash test.
Seven other models didn't pass muster to win either award.
