For 2017, reading through the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) requirements for Top Safety + honors, not all makers make it to the top of their respective segment. This year, at first glance, SUV and crossovers make the greatest stride in overall safety ratings, based on 5 categories + 1, electronic frontal crash prevention technology.
In the case of 2017 Honda CR-V, when equipped with Honda Sensing ™, and LED headlights, Honda’s best selling SUV earns the highest possible rating from IIHS, with a superior ranking for frontal crash protection.
CR-V joins Pilot and Ridgeline with top off segment safety rating
I reported earlier on 2017 Honda Ridgeline earning the only Top Safety Pick + ranking in the pickup truck segment. When looking to the formidable competition in the truck segment, that’s quite an accomplishment for any maker in a first year production run. Pilot’s there too, with MDX and RDX heading the premium 2 and 3 row SUV, crossover segments.
Honda expands active safety features throughout the CR-V lineup
For 2017, Honda Sensing ™ active safety suite is standard issue for EX trims and higher, a premium feature in a midlevel trimmed offering. Read my latest 2017 CR-V drive review here.
The greatest crash related challenge for automakers in crossover, SUV design, may be maintaining roof structural integrity, and subsequent roll over protection. 2017 Honda CR-V scores good or better in all crash test categories.
*To earn the 2017 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, a vehicle must earn a rating of GOOD in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests. It also must have an available front crash prevention system with an ADVANCED or SUPERIOR rating and headlights that earn an ACCEPTABLE or GOOD rating.
For the 2017 model year, four Honda models have earned a TOP SAFETY PICK+, with three models receiving a TOP SAFETY PICK rating under the Institute's more stringent 2017 ratings requirements, making Honda among the leaders in safety ratings in the automotive industry.
2017 Honda TOP SAFETY PICK+Vehicles
CR-V with available Honda Sensing and LED headlights
Ridgeline with available Honda Sensing and LED headlights
Accord Sedan with available Honda Sensing and projector beam halogen headlights
Pilot with available Honda Sensing and LED headlights
*American Honda Motor Company 2017.