Vehicles are chosen for many reasons. Fuel efficiency, size, even color, are a few factors that may help with the decision. The safety of vehicles is also a popular reason for purchase. Cars, trucks, and SUVs are tested by organizations determining safety during a crash. These models are the safe choices for cars, trucks, and SUVs in 2017.
CARS
The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety conducts 5 crashworthiness tests, as well as front crash prevention. These cars, without any additional equipment needing to be purchased, were the top picks for 2017. For smaller cars, the IIHS chooses the Toyota Yaris iA and Toyota Prius Prime as Top Picks. The Volkswagen Passat is a Top Pick for a midsize car. Large car Top Picks are the Acura RLX, Genesis G80, Genesis G90, and Volvo S90.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration best overall pick for 2017 cars are the Subaru Legacy and Impreza, Cadillac ATS and CTS, Honda Accord 2 door, Genesis G80, Mustang 2 door, Honda Civic Si 4 door, Honda Civic 4 door and hatchback, the Audi A6 and S6, Volvo S60, the Acura TLX and RLX 4 door, Nissan Maxima 4 door, the Mercedes E class 4 door and E Class SW, Buick LaCrosse, Chevy Volt, Kia Optima 4, and Tesla Model X.
TRUCKS
Unlike the cars, trucks did not score perfectly overall with the NHTSA because of rollover tests. However, the top picks are Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ford F150, GMC Sierra 1500, and Honda Ridgeline.
The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety also agreed with the Honda Ridgeline, rating it as the only Top Pick for trucks when optional front crash prevention and specific headlights are purchased.
SUVS
The Toyota Highlander, Acura MDX, Volvo XC90, and Audi Q7 are Top Picks with the IIHS, none requiring extra equipment/options.
The SUV models, like trucks, have not perfected rollover technology and the rankings with NHTSA reflect that, except for the BMW 3 series SW, but it only scored 4 stars for frontal crash. With that considered however, their highest ranked SUVs are Volvo XC60 and XC90, the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Tucson, the Ford Explorer, Lincoln Navigator, Mazda CX-3, Subaru Outback, the Chevy Traverse, Honda CR-V, and Chevrolet Trax. The Ford Expedition EL Extended, Ford Edge and Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, GMC Acadia Denali, Kia Soul, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Lincoln MKX and Navigator also were at the top vs competition.