Which Car Brand Has the Safest Cars for 2022?

The Hyundai Motor Group sweeps competition with the most 2022 awards from the Insurance Institutes for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick+.
Written by Chanice Boyd
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced the Hyundai Motor Group as the industry leader in 2022 for manufacturing the safest vehicles. 
Their annual list includes cars with the best scores in crash tests and other priority areas. Plenty of new vehicles made the list for the 2022 model year, with a total of 101 models qualifying for the Top Safety Pick award. 
Many expected auto brands qualified, with either a redesigned or brand new model—sometimes both. But the
Hyundai Motor Group
, which consists of Kia,
Hyundai
, and Genesis, had a tremendous lead with a whopping 21 total safety awards combined

Qualifications for IIHS Top Safety Pick+ 2022

Consumer Reports
tells us for a vehicle to receive a Top Safety Pick+ in the 2022 model year, they need to earn the following things:
  • A high rating in all six of the IIHS' crashworthiness tests
  • A front crash prevention system—earning top scores in advanced vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations 
  • An acceptable score for available headlight options across all trim levels and packages
The IIHS expects vehicles to offer the best available protection in a crash. Roughly 35,000 people are killed, with millions injured on American roads each year. 
So the Insurance IIHS believes that it's vital for the cars we drive to make use of safety technology and be held at high safety standards.
MORE: Are Bigger Cars Safer?
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Hyundai and Kia outperforms big auto brands with 21 models winning IIHS Top Safety Pick+ 2022

Hyundai and Kia prioritized safety above all else when putting their 2022 lineup together. To have an impressive 21 models win Top Safety Pick+ is a major reflection of their efforts. The auto group leads the industry in each category. Hyundai Motor and Kia won eight TSP and TSP+ awards each, while Genesis claimed five. 
In the real world, this suggests that a driver of one of the top awarded cars is less likely to experience a fatal car crash when compared to a driver of a vehicle with poor ratings. The Hyundai Motor Group has proved that for the 2022 model year, they can be trusted with the public's safety in this area. 

The future of IIHS Top Safety Pick+ requirements

In 2023, automakers will have to face stricter criteria with the IIHS. They'll be requiring a good score in the tougher side-impact test in addition to the other requirements to earn Top Safety Picks. The new test will include a larger vehicle with a higher-speed impact to replicate more common situations on US roads. 
Another addition to the list of evaluations will consider the nighttime performance of auto-emergency braking (AEB) systems for pedestrian detection. Newer vehicles have adopted the AEB system to protect pedestrians from night accidents or low visibility. 
In 2023, the IIHS will require cars to earn a high rating in their ability to detect and brake for pedestrians to qualify for the Top Safety Pick+. 

How safety affects your car insurance

For most people looking to buy a new car, appearance and performance are the first levels of attraction to an automobile. But naturally, safety always becomes their primary concern. After all, this vehicle will be the primary mode of transportation for you and your loved ones. 
When it's time to buy a new car, exploring the safety ratings should be an essential part of your decision making. It's just as important as investigating how a safer car can impact your
car insurance
policy, your other safety net. 
Since insurance companies fund the IIHS, these safety ratings directly impact your insurance premiums. The Top Safety Pick rating helps insurance companies to evaluate the likelihood of a vehicle to cause damage or injury to the car and its occupants. 
To put all this information together and create a real-time picture of where your vehicle stands, ask
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