Four models from three automakers have earned top-tier safety awards in the latest round of vehicle evaluations conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with the 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron, Buick Enclave and Nissan Armada each receiving the prestigious Top Safety Pick+ designation. The GMC Acadia qualified for the lower-tier Top Safety Pick award.
The awards for the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia apply only to vehicles manufactured after January 2025, as earlier models were equipped with headlights that received marginal ratings. The newer models met the headlight performance criteria now required across all trims.
“To qualify for either award in 2025, vehicles must earn good ratings in both the small overlap front and updated side crash tests,” IIHS said in a news release. “They must also receive an acceptable or good rating in pedestrian front crash prevention and have acceptable or good headlights on all trim levels.”
For a Top Safety Pick award, an acceptable rating in the updated moderate overlap front test is sufficient, while a good rating is necessary for the Top Safety Pick+.
While four vehicles met these high standards, seven others did not qualify for any IIHS safety award due to missing evaluations or lower test results. These include the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron, Cadillac LYRIQ, Kia K4, Nissan Kicks, Nissan Rogue, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Tacoma crew cab.
The Kia K4’s poor performance in the updated moderate overlap front test was limited to units built before February 2025. Kia has since modified the vehicle's design, though IIHS has not yet tested the updated model.
IIHS also evaluated vehicles for seat belt reminder systems and the ease of use of LATCH child seat anchors. While these features are not part of the award criteria, they are included in the results for consumers considering additional safety factors in their purchasing decisions.
