New 2018 Car Top Safety Picks
Motor vehicle safety is one of the chief concerns consumers have when purchasing a new car. Occupant protection has improved significantly over the years as manufacturers continue to make safety a priority, and the 2018 lineup has many promising models.
Top Safety Picks, Plus
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) published its’ annual report for 2018 with 62 vehicles managing to score in the highest categories of Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+. New to this year’s test was more stringent parameters for acceptable headlights and improved passenger-side protection in the event of small overlap front crashes. Of the 62 noted vehicles, 45 of them fell into the Top Safety Pick category with the remaining 12 representing the Top Safety Pick+ award winners.
Top Safety Pick+
The 15 Top Safety Pick+ winners include large luxury sedans, small and midsize cars, and both midsize luxury and non-luxury SUVs. No minivans or pickups earned the highest award. Hyundai is well represented this year, with six models achieving this highest award. Subaru is the runner up taking home awards for four of their vehicle models. Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, BMW and Ford represented the remaining Top Safety Pick+ winners.
Top Safety Picks
Toyota dominated the 2018 Top Safety Pick Awards with 10 winners in this category, followed by Hyundai with nine more winners. Subaru also had a strong showing, with its BRZ the only model in their lineup to not win an award. Worth noting is that across nearly all manufacturers, Top Safety Picks/+ included models outfitted with optional equipment not present in base trim levels.
Safety, Standard
Toyota is ahead of the curve with respect to the widespread adoption of this new safety technology, with all but only a few models (including those sold under the Lexus badging) with auto-braking standard along with other advanced features. Automakers have pledged to make features like this standard by 2020, but for now, many of these features are optional if available at all.
Symmetrical Protection
The inclusion of passenger-side protection tests has been driven by a manufacturing trend focusing on driver-side protection- seen as a greater priority as nearly all vehicles on the road have drivers, while only some have passengers. Most drivers expect that their passengers will be protected in the event of an accident just as well as they are- this is not always the case. Industry experts expect the recent advancements in driver side frontal collision protection designs to expand to cover front passengers as well, considering the importance of safety among consumers.
Watch the 2018 IIHS Awards on YouTube:
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Car Accident Lawyer in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer. The consequences of an accident can be devastating for the injured person and their family. If you or your loved ones need an experienced personal injury attorney, I can help. Please do not hesitate to contact me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice with no obligation. Alternatively, I am also available online through AutoAccident.com.
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