Audi A6, CX-5 and two more earn IIHS safety top award

The Cadillac CT5’s poor IIHS crash scores are a troubling result for a model competing in the premium midsize segment. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) ratings to four 2026 models in its latest round of evaluation: Audi A6, BMW X1, Mazda CX-5, and Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. Evaluated in the same group of nine vehicles, the Cadillac CT5 recorded poor scores in the moderate-overlap frontal and side crash tests. 2026 Audi A6 moderate overlap frontal test: Rated GOOD To qualify for TSP+, vehicles must achieve good ratings in moderate overlap frontal, small overlap frontal and side crash tests with acceptable or good headlights across all trim levels. A good pedestrian frontal crash prevention score and an acceptable or good result on the updated vehicle-to-vehicle (VTV) frontal crash prevention rating are also required; Qualified systems are mandatory as standard equipment. 2026 Mazda CX-5 moderate overlap preliminary test: Rated GOOD The Audi A6 and Mazda CX-5 are both redesigned for 2026; The CX-5 significantly reverses the poor VTV score recorded on the 2025 model. The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is a new model that is rated separately from the conventional Crosstrek due to structural and limitation differences. The BMW X1 qualified after completing a moderate overlap frontal crash test, which it had not previously passed. Among the five non-award-winning vehicles in the round, the Cadillac CT5 received a poor VTV crash prevention rating as well as structural test results. The Lexus IS is not evaluated in small overlap front or side tests, while Nissan Kicks results only cover vehicles built before June 2026.