IIHS Names 115 Top Safety Picks for 2012 Model Year
Toyota leads the field with 15 models on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s 2012 Top Safety Picks list, as Subaru remains the only brand with a full line-up of winners.
A record 115 vehicles earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick award for the 2012 model year, with Toyota claiming the most spots and Subaru achieving a clean sweep across its range. The annual list, announced in December 2011, recognises vehicles that perform best in the Institute’s front, side, rollover and rear crash tests.
Toyota and Subaru stand out
Toyota led all manufacturers, securing 15 Top Safety Picks across its Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. This included models such as the Toyota Camry, Prius, Corolla, and the Lexus CT 200h. Subaru was the only marque with every model in its line-up qualifying for the award, reinforcing its safety-focused reputation. Honda and Volkswagen also featured prominently, with multiple models from each brand making the list.
Range of winners across segments
The 2012 Top Safety Picks covered a broad spectrum of the market. There were 69 cars, 38 SUVs, five minivans and three pickups named. In the minicar segment, the Fiat 500 (built after July 2011), Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris hatchback were among the winners. Small car standouts included the Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda 3, Nissan Leaf and Volkswagen Golf (4-door).
- Audi A4, Lincoln MKZ and Volvo S60 in midsize luxury
- BMW 5 Series (except V8 and 4WD) and Audi A6 in large luxury
- Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester and VW Tiguan in small SUVs
- Ford F-150 (crew cab), Honda Ridgeline and Toyota Tundra (crew cab) in pickups
Among midsize family cars, the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Subaru Legacy and Ford Fusion all met the Institute’s strict criteria. Larger family cars such as the Buick LaCrosse, Chrysler 300 and Ford Taurus also featured. In the luxury sector, the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series (except V8 and 4WD) and Mercedes E-Class made the cut. The SUV category was led by models like the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Ford Explorer and Volkswagen Tiguan, while minivan winners included the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.
Crash protection and testing criteria
To qualify as a Top Safety Pick, vehicles had to achieve the highest rating of “good” in front, side, rollover and rear crash tests. The IIHS also required electronic stability control, which was becoming standard across the industry by 2012. The focus on rollover protection reflected the growing concern over SUV stability, with roof strength tests introduced in recent years.
Every major manufacturer had at least one model on the list, reflecting the industry-wide emphasis on safety improvements. For buyers, the expanded list meant more choice when prioritising crash protection in their next purchase. For more on standout safety performers in Europe, see Citroën C6 Named Europe’s Safest Car in Euro NCAP Analysis
Segment breakdown: 2012 IIHS Top Safety Picks
| Segment | Number of Winners |
|---|---|
| Cars | 69 |
| SUVs | 38 |
| Minivans | 5 |
| Pickups | 3 |
