Japanese Cars Dominate U.S. Insurance Industry’s Top Picks for 2016

Japanese models account for 30 of this year’s 48 “top safety pick +” vehicles selected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

European brands captured 15 spots on the list of 2016 models. South Korea’s Hyundai contributed two winners. Only one domestic make, the Chrysler 200 midsize sedan, is included in this year’s highest ratings.

IIHS notes only 33 vehicles made the list at this time last year. But the total grew to 51 as more models were evaluated through the 2015 model year.

To win a berth on the top list, vehicles must come equipped with an automatic front crash prevention system (automatic braking) and achieve good scores on all five IIHS crash tests—including the institute’s harsh “small overlap” front barrier test.

IIHS also announced 13 awards to its second-best “top safety pick” list, which likewise demands good crash test results. But it accepts optional and more basic frontal crash prevention systems (warning but with no automatic braking or low-speed braking only).

Domestic brands grabbed six spots on this list for 2016 models, compared with three from Japan, three from South Korea and one from Europe.

Click HERE for details about this year’s initial award winners.