I still remember standing in that used car lot with my dad, looking at a 2014 Ford Fusion. It was a nice car—smooth ride, decent gas mileage, looked almost new. But when the sales guy mentioned the price drop, something felt off. It turned out that model year was a dark spot for the Fusion. It didn’t get the top safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and that one piece of paper was worth more to me than a sunroof or heated seats.
If you’re looking to buy a car—new or used—understanding the IIHS Top Safety Pick program isn’t just about checking a box. It’s the difference between a car that crumples safely around you and one that doesn’t. Let’s break down exactly what the IIHS is, why some cars pass with flying colors while others fail, and what this means for keeping your family safe on the road.
What exactly is the IIHS and why should you care?
First, let’s clear up a misconception. The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) is not a government agency. It’s a nonprofit, privately funded organization created by car insurers in 1959. Their job? To reduce deaths, injuries, and property damage from motor vehicle crashes.
You might be thinking, “Isn’t the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) the one that rates cars?” Yes, but here’s the key difference:
- NHTSA gives you a simple star rating (1 to 5 stars). It’s useful, but it’s a broad stroke.
- IIHS is far more granular. They test cars in specific, realistic crash scenarios and evaluate how well a car protects occupants in each scenario. Their “Top Safety Pick” (TSP) and “Top Safety Pick+” awards are the gold standard in the auto industry.
Think of it this way: NHTSA tells you if a car is generally safe. IIHS tells you where it’s safe and where it might leave you vulnerable.
The four pillars of IIHS testing
The IIHS doesn’t just crash cars into walls. They use robotic dummies equipped with sensors to measure forces on your head, neck, chest, and legs. Here’s what they actually test:
1. Small overlap front test (the game-changer)
This is the test that killed many older car models’ safety reputations. In a small overlap crash, only about 25% of the car’s front width hits the barrier. This is a real-world scenario—like hitting a tree or a pole at an intersection.
Why it matters: Many cars performed well in full-width crashes but failed miserably here. The front structure can’t distribute the force properly, leading to the wheel pushing into the footwell and the steering column collapsing toward the driver.
2. Moderate overlap front test
This is the more traditional crash test, where about 40% of the car’s front hits the barrier. Most modern cars pass this, but it’s still important.
3. Side impact test
This simulates a T-bone collision at an intersection. The IIHS uses a moving barrier that hits the driver’s side door. They measure forces on the pelvis, femur (thigh bone), and head.
Why it matters: Side impacts are deadly because there’s very little crumple zone between you and oncoming traffic. Good side impact protection means strong doors, robust pillar structures, and effective side airbags.
4. Head restraints and seats
This isn’t a crash test per se, but it’s crucial for preventing whiplash. The IIHS rates head restraints on how well they protect your neck in a rear-end collision.
Why did the Ford Fusion fail?
The 2013–2019 Ford Fusions (except for the 2020 redesign) are a perfect case study. They earned “Marginal” or “Poor” ratings in the small overlap front test. Why?
The engineering culprit: Ford’s front-end structure wasn’t designed to handle the concentrated force of a small overlap crash. When the car hit the barrier, the front wheel was pushed backward into the cabin. The steering column moved forward, and the footwell collapsed. The dummy’s legs were crushed, and the steering wheel hit the chest.
It’s not that Ford was negligent—it’s that automotive safety engineering is a constant arms race. In the early 2010s, small overlap crashes were being studied more rigorously, and many manufacturers, including Ford, hadn’t updated their designs yet.
The fix: For the 2020 Fusion, Ford redesigned the front structure with new reinforcements and a modified frame. The 2020 model earned a “Good” rating in the small overlap test and became a Top Safety Pick.
What does “Top Safety Pick” actually require?
To earn the Top Safety Pick award, a car must:
Achieve a “Good” rating in all six crashworthiness tests:
- Driver-side small overlap front
- Passenger-side small overlap front
- Moderate overlap front
- Side (driver-side and passenger-side)
- Roof strength
- Head restraints & seats
Have an available or standard front crash prevention system that earns an “Advanced” or “Superior” rating.
Have an available or standard headlight system that earns a “Good” or “Acceptable” rating.
To earn Top Safety Pick+ (the highest honor), the car must meet all the above plus have an “Advanced” front crash prevention system and “Good” or “Acceptable” headlights.
How this affects your family’s safety
Let’s get personal. You’re not just buying a car; you’re buying a fortress for the people you love.
If you have children
Kids are more vulnerable in crashes. Their bones are softer, their heads are proportionally larger, and they’re smaller, so seat belts and airbags might not protect them correctly. A car with high side-impact ratings and strong roof strength is critical because:
- Side impacts are a leading cause of fatalities for children.
- Roof strength prevents rollover fatalities, which are more common with SUVs and minivans (popular family vehicles).
Look for cars that earned Top Safety Pick+ and have good child seat anchor (LATCH) availability.
If you’re a new driver
Young drivers are overrepresented in small overlap crashes. They tend to drive faster, take more risks, and have less experience avoiding poles, trees, and other narrow objects. A car that passes the small overlap test can be the difference between a scary accident and a fatal one.
If you’re an older driver
As we age, our bones become more fragile. A “Marginal” or “Poor” rating in any crash test is a red flag. You want a car that minimizes the forces transmitted to your body. Look for cars with advanced crash prevention systems that can brake automatically if you don’t react in time.
Practical advice: How to use IIHS ratings when shopping
Buying new
- Go to iihs.org and search for the model you’re considering.
- Check the crashworthiness ratings. Make sure every category is “Good.” If any are “Marginal” or “Poor,” walk away.
- Look for Top Safety Pick+ if you can. The extra margin of safety is worth it.
- Check the headlight ratings. Poor headlights can lead to nighttime accidents, which are more dangerous.
Buying used
This is where it gets tricky. The IIHS rates cars by model year, and safety technology evolves rapidly. A car that was a Top Safety Pick in 2022 might not have been in 2015.
Here’s a rule of thumb:
- Avoid cars that earned “Poor” or “Marginal” in small overlap front tests from 2013–2019 unless they were redesigned after that.
- The Ford Fusion example: If you’re looking at a 2013–2019 Fusion, be very cautious. A 2020 or newer Fusion is a much safer bet.
- Other notable failures: The 2013–2019 Toyota Camry (except for some trims), the 2013–2017 Honda Accord (before the redesign), and many luxury sedans from that era had similar issues.
Pro tip: When buying used, ask the seller for the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). You can run it through the IIHS database or a service like CarFax to get detailed safety ratings for that specific vehicle.
The technology angle: Why newer cars are safer (and what that means for you)
It’s not just about stronger steel. Newer cars have technologies that older cars simply don’t have:
- Crash prevention systems: Cameras and radar can detect you’re about to hit something and brake automatically.
- Adaptive headlights: These turn with the steering wheel, illuminating curves and intersections better than static headlights.
- Better seat designs: Modern seats are engineered to work with airbags and prevent whiplash more effectively.
- Stronger cabin structures: Automakers use high-strength steel and aluminum in key areas to keep the survival space intact.
When you buy a newer car, you’re not just getting a newer infotainment system. You’re getting decades of safety research packed into the frame.
Common mistakes people make when choosing a car for safety
Mistake 1: Only looking at NHTSA star ratings
As I mentioned, NHTSA ratings are broad. A 5-star rating doesn’t mean a car is safe in a small overlap crash. Always check IIHS ratings too.
Mistake 2: Assuming larger cars are safer
Size matters, but structure matters more. A small car with a strong safety cage can be safer than a large SUV with poor crashworthiness ratings. The Ford Fusion, for example, was a midsize sedan, but its safety performance was mediocre in certain tests. Don’t rely on size alone.
Mistake 3: Ignoring headlight ratings
Night driving is dangerous. If a car has “Poor” headlights, you’re less likely to see pedestrians, animals, or obstacles. This is especially important if you or your family members drive at night.
Mistake 4: Not checking specific model years
Safety isn’t consistent across model years. The same car model can have vastly different ratings from one year to the next. Always check the specific year you’re interested in.
The emotional side of car safety
Let’s be honest: Buying a car is stressful. You want the best for your family, and the responsibility can feel overwhelming. But you don’t have to be an engineer to make a smart choice.
When I was shopping for my first car, I felt paralyzed by all the data. Then I realized: IIHS ratings are a shortcut. They’ve done the hard work for you. If a car earns Top Safety Pick+, you can trust that it’s among the safest vehicles on the road.
Think about it this way: When you’re driving your kids to soccer practice, or your parents on a road trip, or just yourself to work, you want the car to do everything it can to protect you if something goes wrong. That’s what these ratings represent.
Final thoughts: Make safety your priority
Your family’s safety isn’t something you can compromise on. A few extra dollars in the purchase price or a slightly lower gas mileage is nothing compared to the peace of mind that comes with knowing your car will protect you in a crash.
So, here’s my challenge to you: Before you fall in love with a car, go to iihs.org and check its ratings. If it’s not a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+, ask yourself why. Is it worth the risk?
I learned this the hard way with that old Ford Fusion. I walked away from it, and two years later, I bought a Subaru Outback that earned Top Safety Pick+. It cost a little more, but every time I drive my family in it, I feel confident that I’ve done everything I can to keep them safe.
That’s the power of informed decision-making. And that’s what the IIHS Top Safety Pick program is all about—giving you the tools to make the safest choice possible.