When shopping for a new vehicle, it's easy to get caught up in comparing horsepower, towing capacity, fuel economy, technology, or even the latest infotainment system. While these features certainly play an important role in your buying decision, there is one factor that deserves to be at the top of every shopper's checklist: vehicle safety.
Every year, millions of Americans are involved in motor vehicle accidents. While no one expects to be involved in a collision, choosing a vehicle that has been thoroughly tested and engineered to protect its occupants can make a life-changing difference. Fortunately, consumers don't have to rely solely on manufacturer claims when evaluating a vehicle's safety. Two organizations independently test and evaluate nearly every vehicle sold in the United States, providing buyers with trusted, objective information before they make a purchase.
Those organizations are the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Although they serve different purposes and use different testing methods, both organizations help consumers identify vehicles that offer exceptional protection in real-world driving situations. Understanding what these safety ratings mean—and how to use them—can help you make a more informed decision when it's time to purchase your next vehicle.
Why Independent Safety Testing Matters
Every automotive manufacturer invests billions of dollars into research, engineering, and crash protection. Naturally, every company wants consumers to believe their vehicles are among the safest on the road.
Independent safety testing provides an unbiased way to verify those claims.
Instead of relying on marketing materials or advertisements, consumers can compare vehicles using standardized testing performed under controlled conditions. These evaluations allow shoppers to compare vehicles from different manufacturers using consistent criteria.
Perhaps even more importantly, these tests push automakers to continually improve. As testing standards become more demanding, manufacturers respond by designing stronger vehicle structures, developing better airbags, improving driver-assistance technologies, and introducing innovations that ultimately benefit every driver on the road.
The competition to earn top safety ratings has dramatically improved vehicle safety over the past several decades.
Understanding the IIHS
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, better known as IIHS, is an independent nonprofit organization funded by the insurance industry. Its mission is straightforward: reduce injuries, fatalities, and property damage resulting from vehicle crashes.
Unlike government agencies that focus primarily on regulatory compliance, IIHS often raises the bar by introducing new crash tests that reflect changing driving conditions and vehicle designs.
Over the years, IIHS has become known for some of the most challenging crash evaluations in the automotive industry.
Rather than simply asking whether occupants survive a collision, IIHS examines how well vehicles protect occupants during specific types of crashes that frequently occur on American roadways.
Its testing continues to evolve as technology advances and new crash data becomes available.
IIHS Crash Testing
One of the best-known IIHS evaluations is the small overlap front crash test.
This test simulates a situation where only a small portion of the front corner of the vehicle strikes another object, such as a tree, utility pole, or the corner of another vehicle.
These crashes are particularly dangerous because much of the impact bypasses the vehicle's primary crumple zones.
Many vehicles that performed well in traditional crash tests initially struggled with this evaluation, prompting manufacturers to redesign front-end structures and improve occupant protection.
IIHS also conducts a moderate overlap front crash test, which recreates one of the most common types of frontal collisions.
During this test, engineers evaluate how effectively the vehicle absorbs crash energy while maintaining occupant survival space.
Another critical evaluation is the side-impact crash test.
With SUVs and pickup trucks becoming increasingly popular, side impacts have become more severe due to higher ride heights and increased vehicle weight.
IIHS updated its side-impact testing procedures in recent years by using a heavier moving barrier traveling at higher speeds to better reflect today's traffic conditions.
Vehicles must demonstrate excellent structural integrity and airbag performance to earn top marks.
IIHS also evaluates roof strength.
Rollover crashes account for a significant percentage of traffic fatalities despite representing a relatively small percentage of overall crashes.
A strong roof helps prevent occupant compartment collapse during a rollover, dramatically improving survival chances.
Additionally, IIHS evaluates head restraints and seats to determine how effectively they reduce neck injuries during rear-end collisions.
Whiplash injuries may not receive as much attention as severe crashes, but they remain among the most common accident-related injuries.
Crash Avoidance Technology
Modern vehicle safety extends far beyond crash protection.
Preventing accidents altogether has become a major focus for both automakers and safety organizations.
IIHS now evaluates advanced driver-assistance systems that help drivers avoid collisions before they occur.
These technologies include:
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Forward Collision Warning
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Pedestrian Detection
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Adaptive Cruise Control
Vehicles equipped with highly effective crash-prevention technology often earn higher overall safety recognition because avoiding a collision is always preferable to surviving one.
IIHS even evaluates headlight performance, recognizing that poor nighttime visibility contributes to thousands of accidents every year.
Few consumers realize that headlights are actually tested on dark roadways to determine how effectively they illuminate curves, straightaways, and roadside hazards without creating excessive glare for oncoming traffic.
What Is Top Safety Pick?
Perhaps the most recognizable IIHS awards are Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+.
These designations are reserved for vehicles that demonstrate exceptional crash protection while also offering outstanding crash avoidance technology and excellent headlight performance.
Earning these awards requires strong performance across multiple categories rather than excelling in only one area.
For many buyers, seeing a Top Safety Pick+ designation provides confidence that a vehicle has undergone some of the most demanding safety testing available.
Understanding NHTSA
While IIHS operates independently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
NHTSA's mission is broader than crash testing alone.
In addition to evaluating vehicle safety, the agency oversees:
- Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
- Vehicle recalls
- Child seat recommendations
- Traffic safety research
- Driver education
- Impaired driving initiatives
- Seat belt awareness campaigns
Perhaps its most familiar consumer program is the 5-Star Safety Ratings.
These ratings help buyers quickly compare overall crash protection across different vehicles.
The NHTSA Five-Star Rating System
NHTSA evaluates vehicles in several major crash scenarios.
These include:
Frontal Crash Tests
Vehicles are crashed into a fixed barrier to simulate head-on collisions.
Sensors measure forces experienced by both the driver and front passenger.
Side Crash Tests
These evaluations simulate another vehicle striking the driver's side of the vehicle.
Additional testing examines side-pole impacts similar to striking a utility pole.
Rollover Resistance
Rather than physically rolling vehicles, NHTSA calculates rollover resistance using a combination of vehicle design characteristics and dynamic testing.
SUVs, trucks, and crossovers naturally have higher centers of gravity than passenger cars, making rollover resistance an important factor for many buyers.
Vehicles receive between one and five stars.
Five stars represent the highest overall level of crash protection.
IIHS vs. NHTSA: Which Is Better?
Consumers often ask which rating system is more important.
The answer is simple:
Both.
Although they use different testing procedures, the two organizations complement one another.
NHTSA provides a broad government evaluation designed to help consumers compare overall crashworthiness.
IIHS frequently introduces more challenging tests that encourage manufacturers to improve structural engineering beyond minimum federal requirements.
Many of today's safest vehicles earn both a five-star NHTSA rating and IIHS Top Safety Pick+ recognition.
When a vehicle performs exceptionally well under both programs, buyers can feel confident they're purchasing one of the safest vehicles available.
How Safety Ratings Have Changed Vehicle Design
The influence of IIHS and NHTSA extends far beyond consumer information.
Manufacturers now design vehicles specifically to perform well during these evaluations.
Modern vehicles incorporate features such as:
- High-strength steel safety cages
- Advanced crumple zones
- Multiple airbag systems
- Reinforced door structures
- Improved seat belt pretensioners
- Energy-absorbing steering columns
- Stronger roof structures
Engineers use sophisticated computer modeling and real-world crash testing to continually improve occupant protection.
The result is remarkable.
According to decades of crash data, occupants of today's vehicles have a far greater chance of surviving serious accidents than drivers did just twenty or thirty years ago.
Ford's Commitment to Safety
Ford has long viewed safety as one of its highest engineering priorities.
Across the Ford lineup, vehicles incorporate numerous standard and available technologies designed to help prevent accidents while protecting occupants if a collision occurs.
Many current Ford models offer Ford Co-Pilot360®, a suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies that may include:
- Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
- Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®)
- Lane Keeping System
- Rear View Camera
- Auto High-Beam Headlamps
- Reverse Brake Assist
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Evasive Steering Assist
- Intersection Assist
These technologies work together to help drivers remain aware of their surroundings while reducing the likelihood of certain types of collisions.
Many Ford vehicles have earned outstanding safety ratings from both IIHS and NHTSA, reflecting the company's continued investment in crash protection and accident prevention.
Safety Is More Than Crash Tests
While crash ratings receive the most attention, vehicle safety extends beyond laboratory testing.
Routine maintenance plays an equally important role.
Even the safest vehicle cannot perform as designed if essential components are neglected.
Drivers should regularly inspect:
- Tires
- Brakes
- Suspension
- Steering components
- Windshield wipers
- Headlights
- Taillights
- Tire pressure
- Safety recalls
Keeping your vehicle properly maintained helps preserve the safety systems engineers worked so hard to develop.
Choosing the Right Vehicle for Your Family
Every family has different priorities.
Some buyers need a heavy-duty truck capable of towing thousands of pounds.
Others require a spacious SUV for growing children.
Still others prioritize fuel efficiency for long daily commutes.
Regardless of the type of vehicle you're considering, safety ratings should remain one of your most important decision-making tools.
Taking a few minutes to review IIHS and NHTSA ratings before purchasing can provide valuable insight into how well a vehicle protects its occupants in real-world situations.
The Bottom Line
Automotive safety has improved dramatically over the past several decades, and organizations like IIHS and NHTSA deserve much of the credit. Their independent testing programs have challenged manufacturers to build stronger, smarter, and safer vehicles while giving consumers reliable information they can trust.
Whether you're shopping for your teenager's first vehicle, upgrading your family's SUV, or purchasing a dependable work truck, don't overlook safety ratings. A vehicle that earns top marks from both IIHS and NHTSA has demonstrated exceptional performance in some of the most rigorous crash and crash-avoidance tests in the industry.
At Chuck Anderson Ford, we believe confidence behind the wheel starts with driving a vehicle that's engineered to protect you and the people who matter most. Our team is happy to explain the safety features available on every Ford model, review IIHS and NHTSA ratings with you, and help you choose the vehicle that best fits your family's needs.
When it comes to buying your next vehicle, horsepower, technology, and style are important—but nothing is more valuable than knowing you're driving one of the safest vehicles on the road.