Top Safety Pick+ Winners: Mid-Size Luxury SUVs

The 2025 BMW X5, 2024 Lexus NX, and 2024 Volvo XC90, all midsize luxury SUVs, have earned the prestigious Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) due to their solid performance in the updated moderate overlap front test.

Key Highlights:

Award-Winning SUVs: 2025 BMW X5, 2024 Lexus NX, and 2024 Volvo XC90.
IIHS Recognition: Top Safety Pick+ award.
Updated Test: Emphasis on rear-seat safety with an additional dummy positioned in the second row.
Performance Ratings:
- BMW X5: Good rating.
- Volvo XC90: Good rating.
- Lexus NX: Acceptable rating.

To earn the 2024 Top Safety Pick+ award, vehicles need a good or acceptable rating in the updated moderate overlap front test, which emphasizes rear-seat safety. All three SUVs were previously recognized as Top Safety Pick winners before undergoing the updated test.

Test Results:

BMW X5: The rear dummy showed no elevated injury risk. Rear restraints controlled the dummy’s motion well, although the dummy’s head came closer to the front seatback than desired.
Volvo XC90: The rear dummy measurements indicated slightly elevated risk of injuries to the chest and head or neck.
Lexus NX: Performed well in injury metrics, but the rear passenger dummy’s lap belt moved from the pelvis to the abdomen, increasing the risk of abdominal injuries.

In addition to the moderate overlap test, IIHS award winners must earn good ratings in the small overlap front and updated side tests, and an acceptable or good rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation. They also need to have acceptable- or good-rated headlights across all trim levels.

Additional Safety Features:

BMW X5: Standard front crash prevention system with a good rating in the pedestrian evaluation and acceptable headlights across all trims.
Volvo XC90: Standard front crash prevention system with an acceptable rating for pedestrian front crash prevention and acceptable-rated headlights.
Lexus NX: Standard front crash prevention system with a good rating in the pedestrian test and three variations of good-rated headlights available.

These results highlight the commitment of these automakers to ensure both driver and passenger safety, reinforcing the importance of continuous improvements in vehicle safety standards.

Yes, sign me up!