Best Crash Test Ratings for 2015 Model New Cars

Each year hundreds of crash tests are performed on new vehicles to determine how well they protect the driver and passengers in a crash. If safety is important to you… this is great information to know when shopping for a new car.

These tests now include a rating for a vehicle’s front crash prevention systems. These high-tech safety systems warn the driver of the vehicle by audio or visual stimulation and/or brake automatically to avoid or soften a front-end collision.

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Who conducts crash tests on new vehicles?

Each time a new vehicle or year model is introduced to the market it is tested on its crashworthiness, only the best and highest rated vehicles are presented with awards.

The International Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts crash tests to determine how well a vehicle will protect its occupants if involved in a collision. You can read more detail on how the IIHS rates a vehicle during a collision and how they perform their controlled crash tests here. The vehicles with the best test results receive the Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick + award.

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How to get the IIHS 2015 Top Safety Pick

To be awarded the 2015 Top Safety Pick, the vehicle tested must get good or acceptable ratings in the small overlap front test, moderate overlap side, front, head restraint, and roof-strength tests.

To qualify for the 2015 Top-Rated Safety Pick +, the vehicle must meet all the above criteria plus receive a superior or advance rating for its front crash prevention system. The only way for a vehicle to receive this award is for it to be equipped with this additional technology. If the vehicle is not equipped, it may still qualify for the Top Safety Pick award.

NOTE: Vehicles that are larger and heavier in weight do influence the protection of the occupants inside the vehicle in a serious or high-speed crash. So generally speaking a heavier, larger vehicle will provide more protection than a lighter, smaller car. So, a smaller vehicle that’s been awarded a Top Safety Pick or PLUS award does not automatically mean it offers more or better protection than a bigger vehicle that didn’t earn an award.

If you’re considering the purchase of a new car or truck and safety is important to you. Take a look at all of the award-winning 2015 model new cars with the best crash test ratings below to help in your research before making a final decision.

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2015 mini car award winners

Award Category	2015 Model New Cars
Top Safety Pick	2015 Chevrolet Spark
Top Safety Pick	2015 Honda Spark

Best 2015 small car crash test award winners

Award Category	2015 Model New Car
Top Safety Pick	2015 Chevrolet Sonic (Vehicles built after Feb 2015
Top Safety Pick	2015 Chevrolet Volt
Top Safety Pick	2015 Dodge Dart
Top Safety Pick	2015 Ford C-Max Hybrid
Top Safety Pick	2015 Ford Focus
Top Safety Pick	2015 Honda Civic 2 Door Coupe
Top Safety Pick	2015 Honda Civic 4 Door Sedan
Top Safety Pick	2015 Hyundai Elantra (Only sedan models
Top Safety Pick	2015 Kia Soul
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Lexus CT 200h (Vehicles built after Feb. 2014 with front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Mazda 3 (With front crash prevention 4 door hatchback \| 4 door sedan)
Top Safety Pick	2015 Mini Cooper Countryman
Top Safety Pick	2015 Mitsubishi Lancer (Ralliart and Evolution models do not apply)
Top Safety Pick	2015 Nissan Sentra
Top Safety Pick	2015 Scion FR-S
Top Safety Pick	2015 Scion tC
Top Safety Pick	2015 Subaru BRZ
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Subaru Crosstrek
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Subaru Impreza
Top Safety Pick	2015 Subaru WRZ
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Toyota Prius (With optional front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick	2015 Volkswagen Golf (Only 4 door and Sportwagen models)
Top Safety Pick	2015 Volkswagen GTI (Only 4 door models)

Crash test awards for 2015-2016 midsize new cars

Award Category	2015-2016 Model New Car
Top Safety Pick	2015 Chevrolet Malibu
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Chrysler 200 (With optional front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick	2015 Ford Fusion
Top Safety Pick	2015 Honda Accord 2 Door Coup
Top Safety Pick	2015 Honda Accord 4 Door Sedan
Top Safety Pick	2015 Hyundai Sonata
Top Safety Pick	2015 Kia Optima
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015-2016 Mazda 6 4 door Sedan (With optional front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick	2015 Nissan Altima
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Subaru Legacy (With optional front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Subaru Outback (With optional front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Toyota Camry (With optional front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Toyota Prius v (With optional front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick	2015 Volkswagen Jetta
Top Safety Pick	2015 Volkswagen Passat

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Best crash test awards for midsize luxury / near luxury new cars.

Award Category	2015 Model New Vehicle
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Acura TLX (With optional front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Audi A3 (With optional front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 BMW 2 Series (With optional front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Infiniti Q50 (With optional front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick	2015 Lincoln MKZ
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Volvo S60
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Volvo V60

Large family and luxury car crash test awards

Award Category	2015 Model New Vehicle
Top Safety Pick	2015 Toyota Avalon
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Acura RLX (With optional front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2016 Audi A6 (With optional front crash prevention, only vehicles built after Jan. 2015)
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Hyundai Genesis (With optional front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Infiniti Q70 (With optional front crash prevention, V-8 4-wheel drive does not apply)
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Lexus RC (With optional front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Mercedes E Class (With optional front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Volvo S80

2015-2016 Small SUVs that have crash test awards

Award Category	2015 Model New Vehicle
Top Safety Pick	2015 Buick Encore
Top Safety Pick	2015 Chevrolet Trax
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Honda CR-V (With front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015-2016 Mazda CX-5 4 Door SUV (Both with front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Mitsubishi Outlander (With front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick	2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Top Safety Pick	2015 Nissan Rogue
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Subaru Forester (With optional front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick	2015 Toyota RAV4 (Only vehicles built after Nov. 2014)

2015 midsize SUVs crash test awards for 2015

Award Category	2015 Model New Vehicle
Top Safety Pick	2015 Chevrolet Equinox
Top Safety Pick	2015 Ford Flex
Top Safety Pick	2015 GMC Terrain
Top Safety Pick	2016 Kia Sorento
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Nissan Murano (With front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick	2015 Nissan Pathfinder
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Toyota Highlander (With front crash prevention)

Crash test awards for 2015 midsize luxury SUVs

Award Category	2015 Model New Vehicle
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Acura MDX (With front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Audi Q5 (With front crash prevention, only vehicles built after Jan. 2015)
Top Safety Pick	2015 Infiniti QX60
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Lexus NX (With optional front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Mercedes M-Class (With front crash prevention)
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Volvo XC60

Crash test awards for 2015 minivans

Award Category	2015 Model New Vehicle
Top Safety Pick	2015 Honda Odyssey
Top Safety Pick	2015 Kia Sedona
Top Safety Pick PLUS	2015 Toyota Sienna (With optional front crash prevention)

In the market for a new car?

When negotiating the price of a new car or truck, it’s important to know the dealer invoice price and what other people are paying for the same vehicle in your local area. Otherwise, you won’t know what a good price is to pay for the vehicle.

I highly recommend using an online referral service such as Ryde Shopper and Motor Trend, their quotes will automatically include any discounts or cash-back incentives currently available.

In addition, when doing your automobile shopping online, the above sites will tell you which dealerships in your local area are currently the most flexible with their new car pricing. These sites provide valuable information for anyone thinking about buying or leasing a new car or truck.

If you’re not sure how to begin the new car buying process. Take advantage of my new car buying cheat sheet for a step-by-step guide to buying a new car and avoiding car dealer scams.

About the author

My name is Carlton Wolf and I have been in the retail and wholesale car business for well over 20 years. I created the Auto Cheat Sheet to better educate buyers on the deceptive sales practices found in many dealerships across the country. Please understand, not all car dealers are dishonest. However, you never know who you will be dealing with. I’m willing to share my knowledge and experience with anyone willing to listen. Keep in mind, I’m a car guy, not a writer.