Audi A4, Q5 Win Prestigious IIHS Top Safety Pick + Honors

Audi's A4 and Q5 were named recipients of the highest safety award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Top Safety Pick +.

For the second straight year, Audi’s A4 has earned a Top Safety Pick + rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), when equipped optional LED headlights with high-beam assist (2.0T Prestige models only). Joining A4, the 2017 Q5, with available adaptive cruise control and adaptive Xenon headlights (3.0T Prestige models only), was also named a Top Safety Pick +. Plus, A3 and Q7 and the A6 with available driver assistance package earned Top Safety Pick ratings. And, A3, A4 and Q7 received superior ratings for front crash prevention. In total, five Audis garnered awards from IIHS.

For vehicles to earn both awards, models must earn “good” ratings in IIHS’ small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side roof strength and head restraint tests, as well as an “advanced” or “superior” rating for front crash prevention with standard or optional automatic braking. One key change for 2017 involves receiving a Top Safety Pick + award. A vehicle must be given no less than an “acceptable” rating for headlight visibility and illumination to receive the honor.

“This year’s top Safety Picks for A3, A4, A6, Q5 and Q7 models speaks to our brand’s commitment to make driver assistance and other innovative technologies available to all customers, from luxury SUVs to entry-level sedans,” Scott Keogh, president of Audi of America, said. “We understand that safety and technical innovations are top considerations in a new vehicle purchase and we are proud to have so many of our vehicles recognized with these prestigious awards.”

The 2017 A3, Q7 and A6, equipped with the available driver assistance package, received Top Safety Pick designations, earning “good” ratings in all five crashworthiness evaluations. Standard Audi pre sense® front which provides forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking earned both the A3 and Q7 “superior” ratings in front crash prevention.

Audi’s A4, equipped with optional LED headlights with high-beam assist (2.0T Prestige package only) earned the vehicle a Top Safety Pick + rating. Q5, with available adaptive cruise control and adaptive Xenon headlights (3.0T Prestige models only) received Audi’s second Top Safety Pick + award for 2017. This is also Q5’s second straight year earning this impressive honor.

Both vehicles received “good” ratings in all five IIHS crashworthiness evaluations and an “acceptable” rating for headlight performance when equipped with optional lights. Also, with standard Audi pre sense city, the A4 also earned a “superior” rating for front crash prevention.

2017 IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” based on good ratings in the moderate overlap front, small overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests, no less than an advanced rating for front crash prevention, and no less than an acceptable headlight rating.