2025 Prime Security Automobiles: IIHS Greatest Picks

Extra rigorous crash-test requirements by the IIHS emphasize back-seat security
Mazda continues to excel with Prime Security Decide+ awards on almost all its fashions
The IIHS retains intensifying crash-test requirements as extra automakers are available in compliance

Again seat drivers ought to profit from entrance seat security, based mostly on the newest security standards established by the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS). Automakers have been challenged to extend security for rear seat passengers to earn a 2025 Prime Security Decide award, the listing of which was introduced Thursday.

Mazda as soon as once more earned a Prime Security Decide+ (TSP+) for almost each considered one of its autos, making it one of many most secure automobile manufacturers, and Genesis, Hyundai, and Mercedes-Benz additionally carried out nicely. The emphasis on rear-seat security has excluded many automakers identified for security, for now, and the more durable requirements exceeded the capabilities of autos made for households, equivalent to minivans.

“We’re as soon as once more difficult automakers to make their new fashions even safer than these they had been constructing a 12 months in the past,” IIHS President David Harkey mentioned in an announcement. “Each automobile that earns a 2025 award presents a excessive stage of security in each the entrance seat and the second row.”

The more durable standards ends in solely 48 autos incomes both 2025 Prime Security Decide or Prime Security Decide+ award, down from 71 fashions on the identical time final 12 months.

The danger of fatalities is increased for belted occupants within the rear than these within the entrance, in response to the IIHS. Lately, security requirements lagged within the rear seat as automakers targeted on crumple zones and different crash safety measures for drivers and entrance passengers. For 2025, a automobile should earn a high “Good” score within the entrance overlap take a look at, which simulates a automobile hitting one other automobile of equal measurement head-on at 40 mph with 40% of the vehicles’ entrance ends overlapping. The take a look at now has a crash dummy beneath 5-feet tall and weighing lower than 110 kilos belted into the seat behind the driving force.

What’s a Prime Security Decide?

However what’s a Prime Security Decide and why does it matter? The Prime Security Decide (TSP) and better Prime Security Decide+ (TSP+) awards are coveted by automakers—and their advertising groups—as they present a automobile complies with probably the most rigorous impartial crash-testing within the U.S. The IIHS additionally exams the efficacy of headlights and driver-assist programs equivalent to automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

The NHTSA’s NCAP five-star score system at present doesn’t consider driver-assist know-how, making the IIHS a extra complete and up-to-date security tester. Thus, businesses, automakers, and automotive shops starting from the Nationwide Security Council to Shopper Stories and The Automotive Connection deem Prime Security Decide awards as mattering extra than the NHTSA’s restricted testing.

The IIHS operates independently of its funding by the automotive insurance coverage business and is complimentary to NCAP testing. Yearly or two it raises the security bar as extra automakers develop autos that meet the IIHS standards.

In 2022, the IIHS raised the load of the side-impact strike barrier from 3,300 kilos to 4,180 kilos to mirror the proliferation of heavier, taller SUVs on roadways since that take a look at was launched again in 2003. Solely 48 autos certified for a 2023 TSP as an alternative of 101 from the earlier 12 months. Headlights additionally got here within the highlight due to a spike in pedestrian fatalities at evening.

In 2023, in session with automakers, the IIHS began testing how ADAS programs can mitigate or keep away from collisions with pedestrians in separate daytime and nighttime exams. The revised take a look at for 2024 required TSP winners to earn “Acceptable” or high “Good” rankings within the mixed day and evening take a look at. The IIHS usually introduces a brand new take a look at however would not apply it to TSP awards till the next 12 months, offering automakers time to regulate programs to realize the rankings.

As well as, to earn a 2024 TSP+, autos needed to earn “Good” rankings within the up to date facet influence take a look at and “Good” or “Acceptable” rankings within the up to date average overlap entrance take a look at. Now, for 2025, the autos must earn the highest “Good” award in each exams for a TSP+.

The unique take a look at that measured solely entrance seat security has been phased out. Moreover for 2025, autos should additionally earn “Good” rankings within the small overlap entrance and up to date facet crash exams. Moreover, the automated emergency braking programs should earn “Acceptable” or “Good” marks for avoiding hitting pedestrians in each daytime and nighttime situations, and headlights on all trims should earn “Acceptable” or “Good” marks.

Surprisingly, no minivans hit the mark to this point this 12 months, and solely two vehicles certified.

“The brand new emphasis on again seat safety seems to have winnowed minivans and pickups from the winners’ ranks,” Harkey mentioned. “That’s unlucky, contemplating that minivans are marketed as household haulers and prolonged cab and crew cab pickups are sometimes used for that goal.”

It is value noting that the IIHS affirmed that the second row continues to be the most secure seat for youngsters beneath 13.

Try the listing of winners beneath.

2025 Prime Security Decide+ award

2025 Prime Security Decide+ awards

Automobiles

2025 Honda Accord
2025 Honda Civic hatchback
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6
2025 Mazda 3 hatchback
2025 Mazda 3 sedan
2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
2025 Toyota Camry

Crossover SUVs

2025 Audi Q7
2025 BMW X5
2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E
2025 Genesis GV60
2025 Genesis GV70 and Electrified GV70 (constructed after April 2024)
2025 Genesis GV80
2025 Honda HR-V
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5
2025 Hyundai Kona
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
2025 Hyundai Tucson
2025 Infiniti QX80
2025 Kia EV9
2025 Kia Telluride
2025 Lincoln Nautilus
2025 Mazda CX-30
2025 Mazda CX-50
2025 Mazda CX-70 and CX-70 PHEV
2025 Mazda CX-90 and CX-90 PHEV
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class with optionally available entrance crash prevention
2025 Nissan Pathfinder
2025 Rivian R1S (constructed after August 2024)
2025 Subaru Solterra
2025 Volvo XC90 (fuel)