If you’re looking for the safest large SUVs on the market, you have two choices. That’s according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which measures the safety of vehicles via crash tests and evaluations. Only two large SUVs scored well enough in the IIHS’ tests to earn the non-profit organization’s top honor. This is the Top Safety Pick+ award. So what are they? The 2022 Audi e-tron and the 2022 Audi e-tron Sportback. Let’s look at what makes these two SUVs so safe. 

The 2022 Audi e-tron has perfect crashworthiness scores

It’s no small feat to get all good ratings on the IIHS’ crash tests, but the 2022 Audi e-tron did just that. With available ratings of good, acceptable, marginal, and poor, the 2022 e-tron scored a good in every major and minor category. These include things like small overlap front on both the driver and passenger side and the moderate overlap front test. It also includes the side: original test, roof strength, as well as head restraints and seats. 

In addition, the e-tron has a superior rating for both of its available safety systems, both vehicle-to-vehicle as well as vehicle-to-pedestrian. These measure things like how much a vehicle’s speed is reduced before a crash and whether it was able to avoid a collision. There are two available headlight variations on the 2022 Audi e-tron, and while one of them scored a good rating, the other is just acceptable. While not uncommon, this is the only blight on the e-tron’s otherwise perfect test scores. 

The 2022 Audi e-tron Sportback has superior safety systems

Similar to the 2022 Audi e-tron, its Audi sibling the e-tron Sportback has perfect crash test ratings. Every category as well as subcategory scores a good rating. In addition, its available safety systems both score superior ratings out of superior, advanced, and basic. 

Also similar to the 2022 Audi e-tron, the e-tron Sportback has one available headlight system with a good rating, and the other with an acceptable rating. Even the child seat anchors LATCH ease of use rating is good, making these two Audi SUVs very nearly perfect. 

What does the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award mean?

The IIHS is a non-profit that tests vehicles and shares the results of their tests with consumers so that people can make informed decisions about what they buy. By issuing safety ratings and awards, consumers are more aware of potential issues with their vehicles, and car manufacturers have more accountability. The IIHS’ tests have evolved to keep pushing safety standards higher, which is a huge bonus for everyone.

Although a vehicle winning the Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award is a definite positive when you’re car shopping, not all vehicles with these awards are equal. The IIHS says, “These awards identify the best vehicle choices for safety within size categories during a given year. Larger, heavier vehicles generally afford more protection than smaller, lighter ones. Thus, a small car that qualifies for an award might not protect its occupants as well as a bigger vehicle that doesn’t earn the award.”

Both the 2022 Audi e-tron and the 2022 Audi e-tron Sportback are excellent choices if you’re looking for one of the safest large SUVs. With their Top Safety Pick+ awards, both Audi SUVs combine style and safety in an attractive package.