Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings help consumers identify the safest, most reliable vehicles. The car safety agency recently published its annual list of Top Safety Pick winners. And only one 2023 Infiniti model made the cut.

IIHS Top Safety Pick winners for 2023

Each year, the IIHS, a nonprofit sponsored by the insurance industry, compiles annual rankings of the safest vehicles it has tested. Winners have earned the highest scores in a series of tests to determine how they would fare in various real-world crash scenarios. IIHS tests include moderate overlap front, driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests. The organization also assesses cars for front crash-prevention technology and headlights.

The IIHS gives two levels of recognition: Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick +. Top Safety Pick winners meet all criteria in the crashworthiness tests and crash prevention technology but might have merely “acceptable” instead of “good” headlights on one trim. Vehicles earning the Top Safety Pick+ distinction meet all the Top Safety Pick requirements and have “acceptable” or “good” headlight ratings across all trim levels.

For consumers who value safety, the Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick + lists are vital resources for selecting a vehicle. 

The 2023 Infiniti QX60 is the only IIHS Top Safety Pick winner in the brand’s lineup

The only 2023 Infiniti model to earn a Top Safety Pick distinction is the QX60. It scored a Top Safety Pick+ award in the midsize luxury SUV segment.

The 2023 Infiniti QX60 received minor changes from the previous model year. This three-row crossover has a sleek exterior design and a posh interior. Every trim packs a potent V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Car and Driver reviewers note the powertrain could use some refinement, but the cabin is pleasantly quiet. It also boasts clever storage bins and abundant luxury features.

In addition, Car and Driver testers don’t recommend the optional 20-inch wheels, saying they provide a “harsh” ride. They also knock the 2023 model for its lack of wireless Android Auto. Still, the QX60 looks the part of a luxury vehicle and meets the IIHS’s highest safety standards.

Other winners in the midsize luxury SUV segment

Nine other midsize luxury SUVs join the Infiniti QX60 on the 2023 IIHS Top Safety Pick list. All but the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus took home the Top Safety Pick+ award. The Nautilus didn’t achieve the highest honor because of lower restraint scores.

The other Top Safety Pick+ winners in the class are the Acura MDX, Acura RDX, Lexus NX, Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid, Lexus RX, Tesla Model Y, Volvo XC90, and Volvo XC90 Recharge. 

Car and Driver reviewers like the 2023 Acura MDX as a sporty people hauler but find its interior lacking for the class. In addition, they appreciate the sedate luxury of the 2023 Lexus NX, with a well-appointed interior and upscale good looks.

Both the 2023 Volvo XC90 and its plug-in hybrid Recharge earned the top IIHS award. C/D says Volvo covered the luxury aspect of the vehicle well. However, only the PHEV provides a truly dynamic driving experience.