Multiple Auto Brands Snag Safety Awards
Several others fail to place due to higher injury risks in certain metrics.

The Hyundai Elantra is one of six 2025-model vehicles to win IIHS' highest rating and safety award.
Hyundai
Half a dozen 2025-model vehicles have snagged high safety ratings, while several others failed to attain awards status.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety bestowed it highest nod, the Top Safety Pick+ to models by four brands while it withheld awards from two Ford models and one Volkswagen vehicle.
Winning the top award were the Hyundai Elantra and Sonata, the Kia K4, Nissan Murano and Toyota bZ4X and Prius.
For several models, the honor applies only to units built after certain dates when their features qualified – Elantras built after last October, Sonatas built after November, K4s built after this past January, and bZ4Xs built after December.
To qualify for the top award or the one just under it, vehicles must pass front and side testing with good ratings, and pedestrian front crash-prevention and all-trims headlight evaluations with acceptable or good ratings.
Ford’s Bronco and Bronco Sport failed to place in awards categories because of only marginal ratings for headlights, pedestrian front crash prevention and front crash test performance.
Despite recent rear-seat restraint improvements, the VW Taos was rated acceptable or marginal in front crash testing. It was also rated marginal in pedestrian front crash prevention.
Originally posted on F&I and Showroom
More Awards

F&I Hall of Fame Welcomes Class of 2026
The hall of fame election committee added Jerry Lacour, Mickey Quinn, Gil Van Over III and Tony Wanderon to its growing list of industry titans.
Read More →
Voting Now Open for 2026 Dealers' Choice Awards
Voting is now open for the 22nd annual Dealers’ Choice Awards, a program designed to recognize auto dealers’ favorite vendors, suppliers, and finance partners.
Read More →
Epic Wins Startup Symposium Competition at Agent Summit
The company earned the highest scores from Startup Symposium judges and audience member, who rated eight companies on their investment potential based on rapid-fire pitches and Q&A sessions.
Read More →
Hyundai, Kia Lead Electrified Awards
With more hybrids and EVs on the market, U.S. News & World Report expanded its 2026 Best Hybrid and Electric Cars awards and introduced the first 'best hybrid minivan' class.
Read More →
F&I Hall of Fame 2026 Class Inducted at Agent Summit
The selection committee is set to accept nominations for future F&I Hall of Fame members following the induction of the Class of 2026 at last week’s Agent Summit.
Read More →
Dealers Awarded for Consumer Reviews
Roughly 1,000 dealerships across the U.S. and Canada were named 2026 Dealer of the Year award winners by Cars.com, which based its list on customer reviews and dealer responsiveness.
Read More →
Nissan Leaf Women's Car of the Year
The electric SUV, first launched as a car in 2010, was praised for its realistic approach to electric mobility and balance of advanced electric performance by the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year judges.
Read More →
Affordability Leads Top-Rated List
Edmunds’ editorial team tested 300-plus vehicles to help determine the Top Rated Awards for 2026, and one brand stood out with multiple rankings, including Best of the Best.
Read More →
Nominate Industry Trailblazers for 2026 F&I Hall of Fame
Honorees will be recognized at Agent Summit, taking place April 13–15, 2026 at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas.
Read More →
Time Dealer of the Year Named
David Wright of Iowa rises to the top of nearly 50 nominees across the country on his record of business growth and contributions to his dealership’s community.
Read More →