Which Audi SUVs Earned the 2023 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award?

The 2023 Audi Q4 e-tron, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q8, and the newly renamed 2024 Q8 e-tron models have all earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) highest honor, the Top Safety Pick+ award. The 2023 Audi Q5 and Q5 Sportback also secured a Top Safety Pick rating. This achievement, based on rigorous crash testing and collision avoidance evaluations, highlights Audi's continued commitment to occupant and pedestrian protection across its lineup of gas-powered and all-electric SUVs.

What is the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award?

To understand the significance of Audi's achievement, it's important to know what the IIHS awards mean. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries, and property damage from motor vehicle crashes. It conducts some of the most stringent safety tests in the industry. Vehicles are rated on a scale of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor in various crash scenarios. Their front crash prevention systems are also evaluated and rated as Basic, Advanced, or Superior.

• Top Safety Pick: To earn this award, a vehicle must achieve Good ratings in all six IIHS crashworthiness tests, including driver- and passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side impact tests. It must also come with Acceptable or Good rated headlights and a front crash prevention system that earns an Advanced or Superior rating in a daytime vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluation.
• Top Safety Pick+: This is the IIHS's top honor. It requires all the standards of a Top Safety Pick, plus a Good rating in the updated, more challenging side impact test. The vehicle must also earn Advanced or Superior ratings in both daytime and nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations.

How Did the Audi Q8 and Q4 e-tron Models Achieve the Top Safety Pick+ Rating?

The Audi Q8 lineup (including the gas-powered Q8 and the all-electric Q8 e-tron) slightly outperformed the smaller Q4 e-tron models in the collision avoidance testing, which is a key differentiator for the "Plus" designation.

• Audi Q8 / Q8 e-tron: These luxury SUVs earned a Superior rating in the daytime pedestrian test and an Advanced rating in the more challenging nighttime pedestrian test. Combined with top marks in all crashworthiness evaluations, this secured their Top Safety Pick+ status.
• Audi Q4 e-tron / Q4 e-tron Sportback: Audi's compact electric SUVs also achieved the Top Safety Pick+ award. Their standard front crash prevention system received an Advanced rating in both the daytime and nighttime pedestrian tests, meeting the strict "+" criteria.

Why Did the Audi Q5 Earn a Top Safety Pick (Not a Plus) Award?

The 2023 Audi Q5 and Q5 Sportback are still highly safe vehicles, earning the prestigious Top Safety Pick award. The distinction from the "Plus" award came down to two specific test results. The Q5 earned an Acceptable (rather than Good) rating in the updated side impact test. Additionally, its front crash prevention system did not earn credit in the nighttime pedestrian evaluation. Based on our assessment experience, this highlights how the IIHS continuously raises the bar for its highest award, pushing manufacturers to improve safety systems further.

What Does This Mean for Car Buyers?

For shoppers prioritizing safety, these IIHS awards provide a clear, data-driven benchmark. The Top Safety Pick+ award is a strong indicator of a vehicle's comprehensive safety package, covering crash protection for occupants and advanced systems to help avoid accidents with pedestrians altogether.

• Verify the Model Year: IIHS ratings are specific to model years due to potential design changes. Always check the to look up the latest ratings for the exact vehicle and model year you are considering.
• Standard Equipment is Key: These awards apply to vehicles with specific standard equipment, particularly the headlights and safety systems. Ensure the trim level you are purchasing includes the features that earned the award.

The 2023 Audi SUV lineup has demonstrated exceptional safety performance, with the Q4 e-tron and Q8 families receiving the IIHS's top accolade. While the Q5 sits just one tier below, all these models represent some of the safest choices in their respective segments. When considering a new or used Audi, confirming its IIHS rating is a critical step in the buying process, offering peace of mind through independent verification.