The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has issued a list of its top safety performers of 2018 (or 2019 model year) and a total of 57 vehicles earned either a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick + rating.

IIHS Safety Picks 2018

Of these, 30 models were awarded the better rating, while the remaining 27 were rated just as Top Safety Picks which means they either got an acceptable or good result on the front small overlap crash test, as well as the passenger side protection test. The IIHS has raised the bar this year, so only cars that get good ratings in both of those crash test scenarios are eligible to get the plus rating.

Subaru leads the way when it comes to the number of cars awarded the Top Safety Pick+ rating, with seven models in total, followed by Hyundai and Kia with four models, while Toyota, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz each have three models.

IIHS-HLDI President David Harkey explains "Fifteen brands hit all the marks to give consumers shopping for a new car a wide variety of 2019 models to consider... What's impressive is that all but one winner earned the highest rating of superior in our track tests, even though an advanced rating is enough to qualify." Still, there is room for improvement, according to Harkey, as not all manufacturers are performing as well here.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Kia Forte.

Read our full driven review on the 2019 Lexus ES.

Read our full review on the 2019 Subaru Ascent.

Read our full review on the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback.

Read our full driven review on the 2018 Kia Rio.

Read our full review on the 2018 Hyundai Kona.

Read our full review on the 2018 Kia Niro.

Read our full review on the 2018 Nissan Kicks.