Now in its second year, the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E has already seen improvements. The Blue Oval’s fully electric crossover has a bigger usable battery capacity that translates to improved range. Plus, Ford added new features to the various trims, updated colors (including an all-white special Ice White Edition), and equipped the Mustang Mach-E with copious car safety features.

But how safe is this EV? The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently published its annual Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ winners. The latest Ford Mustang Mach-E won the top award — but not for all trim levels. Here are the models that earned the highest honor and why.

IIHS Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards

The 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards are out. Only vehicles that score well in the organization’s crash tests and safety evaluations win these coveted awards. And the IIHS says it’ll make next year’s testing even more rigorous.

The IIHS tests different vehicle sizes in various categories. As safety features change on newer vehicles, so do the IIHS testing criteria. Therefore, the rating of one model year might not be comparable to the rating of a later model.

To earn an IIHS Top Safety Pick (TSP) award, a vehicle must receive a “good” rating in all crash tests. That includes the passenger-side small overlap front test.  

Earning a Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) award involves excelling in every test with at least a good rating. The vehicle also must achieve a front crash prevention rating of advanced or superior in vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian testing.

In 2023, it will be harder to win a TSP+ award. Recipients must earn a good rating in all six crash tests and the challenging side-impact test.

The latter test simulates a high-speed crash with a bigger vehicle. In 2023, the IIHS will use a crash sled 880 pounds heavier than the current one. The speed will also increase from 31 to 37 mph.

Which 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E models earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+?

The 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium, GT, and First Edition earned the TSP+ award. The difference between those three trims and the others is that the TSP+ winners have LED projector headlights instead of LED reflector headlights. In IIHS testing, the Premium, GT, and First Edition also turned in solid performances in all the other tests.

During headlight testing, IIHS found visibility good on straightaways and both sides of the road. Visibility was good on right curves, fair on left curves, and they didn’t exceed the glare limits using low beams. The IIHS also gave credit for high-beam assist because it compensates for the limitations of low beams.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E’s California Route 1 and Select trims come with LED reflector headlights, so they earned TSP, not TSP+, awards. Like the three TSP+-winning models, the California Route 1 and Select models didn’t exceed glare limits, and they received credit for high-beam assist helping the low beams’ performance.

However, California Route 1 and Select didn’t earn the ratings needed for the TSP+ award because the lighting was inadequate on gradual left curves.

Overview of the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E

Though the Ford Mustang Mach-E differs from the classic Mustang muscle car, the compact crossover EV offers impressive acceleration and athleticism. It also boasts a decent electric driving range, plenty of space, and a luxurious cabin, all for a reasonable starting price under $45,000 (not including a $7,500 federal tax credit).

A blend of popular elements from the past and present, the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E is a great reason to be excited about the future of EVs. It won a Car and Driver Editors’ Choice award. Though some car enthusiasts might not like that it wears the famous nameplate, using a current popular body style makes good sense.

Along with its sharp exterior, the Mach-E has a visually appealing cabin with an impressive number of in-demand tech features. In addition, there’s room in the back seat, clever storage spaces, and a generous amount of cargo space. 

Plus, the Mach-E’s handling is agile and fast. It can zoom from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. And its maximum driving range exceeds 300 miles per charge. As we watch the market shift to EVs, Ford has set a high bar with the Mustang Mach-E.