2026 Honda Models Earn Top IIHS Safety Ratings Across the Lineup

Honda continues to reinforce its reputation for building safe, dependable vehicles, with four of its 2026 models earning top recognition from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Honda HR-V and Honda Passport achieved the highest TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating, while the Honda Civic Hatchback and Honda Accord earned TOP SAFETY PICK honours for 2026.

For drivers in Newmarket and across York Region, this recognition highlights Honda’s continued focus on delivering strong protection, advanced safety systems, and real-world confidence across a wide range of vehicles.

Top safety performance across multiple crash tests

All four award-winning Honda models performed exceptionally well in the IIHS’s most demanding crash evaluations. Each vehicle received the top GOOD rating in the small overlap front crash test, the updated moderate overlap front crash test, and the updated side crash test.
The updated side crash test is particularly rigorous, now delivering significantly more crash energy than before, making strong performance in this category an important benchmark for occupant protection.
Meeting the highest standards for prevention and visibility

To earn the TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation, vehicles must also demonstrate strong performance in pedestrian front crash prevention, while achieving at least acceptable ratings in the updated vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention evaluation and headlight performance.

Both the HR-V and Passport met these higher standards, helping position them among the safest choices in their respective segments.

Safety leadership in more accessible vehicles

A key takeaway from Honda’s 2026 results is that top safety ratings are not limited to higher-priced vehicles. The Civic Hatchback, Accord, and HR-V represent some of the more accessible models in the lineup, yet still achieve strong safety recognition.

This aligns with Honda’s long-standing “Safety for Everyone” philosophy, which focuses on making advanced safety technologies and high crash protection standards widely available.

Honda Sensing comes standard across the lineup

Every new Honda model is equipped with Honda Sensing, a comprehensive suite of driver-assistive technologies designed to help reduce the likelihood and severity of collisions. Key features include:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System with Pedestrian Detection
• Forward Collision Warning
• Road Departure Mitigation with Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keeping Assist System
• Adaptive Cruise Control

Since its introduction in 2014, Honda Sensing has been installed in more than 10 million vehicles across North America, reflecting the brand’s long-term commitment to safety innovation.
Engineered for protection in real-world conditions

Beyond active safety systems, the Civic Hatchback, Accord, HR-V, and Passport are built with Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure. This design helps better distribute crash energy in a collision, improving protection for occupants across a wide range of impact scenarios.

Additional safety features include advanced airbag systems with front, side, knee, and side-curtain coverage, along with front seatbelt pretensioners designed to help secure occupants more effectively during a crash.

Strong results beyond IIHS testing

Honda’s safety performance extends beyond IIHS recognition. Every Honda model fully evaluated under recent testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has earned a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score, adding another layer of confidence for drivers.

A long-term commitment to safer roads

Honda’s global “Safety for Everyone” vision continues to guide its approach to vehicle development, with a goal of achieving zero traffic collision fatalities involving Honda automobiles and motorcycles by 2050.

To support this goal, Honda is expanding its focus beyond vehicle technology alone, working to enhance driver awareness, influence safer driving behaviour, and collaborate with government and industry partners to improve the overall traffic safety environment.

With four models recognized by the IIHS for 2026, including the Civic Hatchback, Accord, HR-V, and Passport, Honda continues to demonstrate that advanced safety, strong crash performance, and everyday usability can go hand in hand for drivers throughout Newmarket and York Region.