IIHS Raises the Bar: New Safety Standards for Top Pick Awards

Okay, car shoppers focused on safety, listen up! The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is shaking things up with those Top Safety Pick awards. They're serious about making cars safer, and they're not handing out trophies to those that barely scrape by. So, what changed?

Get Ready to Protect Those Sides!

IIHS just introduced a tougher side crash test – they're literally using a bigger, heavier thing to slam into those cars. No more flimsy side panels, okay?

Day or Night, It's "Pedestrian Protection" Time

They've also combined the day and night pedestrian tests. That means a car has to spot people walking around in the bright sun AND in the dark. Headlight technology better be on point for this one!

Front Seat Safety for Everyone!

IIHS is also cracking down on front-seat safety. Forget about one side doing all the work – both driver AND passenger need top-notch protection to even be considered for an award.

And Wait, It Only Gets Tougher in 2025...

Apparently, they're going to make the front crash test even more challenging next year. So, car companies, you better get good at building those crumple zones!

Who Won Awards in 2024, Anyway?

For now, 22 cars grabbed the Top Safety Pick+ and 49 made Top Safety Pick. That's good, but remember – safety tech changes fast, so do your homework before you pick one off the lot!