Honda Safety Ratings and 2026 IIHS Awards

The people who matter most rarely climb into your Honda thinking about crash-test results. They’re thinking about school, work, a weekend trip, or simply getting home after a long day. You’re the one thinking about the vehicle you trust to take them there. That’s why independent safety recognition deserves more than a quick glance at an award badge. In the 2026 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awards, the Honda Civic Hatchback, Accord, HR-V, and Passport earned recognition. But the details matter: the same model year can appear with different award labels, and both can be accurate. At Gary Force Honda in Bowling Green, we’ll help you understand what those awards really mean, so you can find a Honda that fits your life—not just an award list.

Which Honda models earned 2026 IIHS safety awards?

The 2026 IIHS award list includes the four Honda models below. The award year describes the set of rules used to select the winners; the model year identifies the vehicles covered by that recognition.

The Civic award shown here applies to the hatchback. For another body style or model year, use that vehicle’s own IIHS rating rather than carrying the award over from this list.

See the 2026 Honda IIHS award list

What does the plus in TOP SAFETY PICK+ mean?

For 2026, both awards require Good results in three crash tests: small overlap front, moderate overlap front and side. They also require standard headlights rated Acceptable or Good. TOP SAFETY PICK requires standard pedestrian crash prevention rated Acceptable or Good. The plus adds tougher crash-prevention requirements: a Good pedestrian result and an Acceptable or Good result in the vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention 2.0 test, with qualifying systems standard. That gives you a specific reason to look beyond the badge: the two award levels reflect different crash-prevention requirements, even though they share the same crash-test requirements in 2026.

Read how IIHS sets its 2026 award criteria

Why can the same Honda have different awards in different years?

The award year and model year are separate details. For example, the 2026 Honda Accord appears as a TOP SAFETY PICK+ in the 2025 IIHS awards and as a TOP SAFETY PICK in the 2026 awards. IIHS changed its requirements between those award years, so the two labels describe recognition under different rules. That distinction is especially useful when an older review and a newer vehicle listing seem to disagree. Match both years before deciding that one is wrong. Shoppers considering an earlier model can also use the 2025 Honda IIHS award list to put its recognition in context.

Is Honda Sensing the same thing as an IIHS award?

Honda Sensing® is Honda’s suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies; an IIHS award is recognition based on independent evaluations. The model years in the table all include Collision Mitigation Braking System™, Lane Keeping Assist System and Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow as standard. Features such as blind spot information and parking assistance vary by model and trim, as the sections below explain. Driver-assistance systems have operating limits and do not replace your attention or responsibility behind the wheel. Consult the owner’s manual for the vehicle you choose.

Explore Honda Sensing

Which award-winning Honda fits your needs?

Awards can narrow your list; equipment and everyday needs help you decide where to look next. Here is how these Hondas differ in practical use and in the assistance features included on specific trims.

Why consider the 2026 Honda Civic Hatchback?

Hatchback flexibility makes the 2026 Honda Civic Hatchback worth a look if your car needs to handle the workweek and a larger load on the weekend. Its wide rear opening and standard 60/40 split-folding rear seatback give you useful ways to arrange passengers and cargo, while Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid offer hybrid power. All three trims include blind spot information with a Cross Traffic Monitor. Sport Touring Hybrid adds front and rear parking sensors and Low-Speed Braking Control, so it deserves a closer look if parking assistance is high on your list.

Why consider the 2026 Honda Accord?

For shoppers who regularly carry adults in back, the 2026 Honda Accord puts a useful number behind its roomy sedan appeal: 40.8 inches of rear legroom. Choose a turbocharged LX or SE, or one of four hybrid trims, depending on the powertrain and equipment you prefer. Blind spot information with a Cross Traffic Monitor is standard on SE and all hybrid trims. EX-L Hybrid and Touring Hybrid add front and rear parking sensors; Touring Hybrid also includes Low-Speed Braking Control. Those distinctions make trim choice worthwhile even when you have already settled on the Accord.

Why consider the 2026–2027 Honda HR-V?

The 2026–2027 Honda HR-V combines a small SUV format with a split-folding rear seat and available Real Time AWD™, making it a practical option when you want cargo flexibility in an everyday vehicle. Its three-trim lineup also presents a clear choice about driver-assistance equipment. Sport and EX-L include blind spot information with a Cross Traffic Monitor. EX-L adds front and rear parking sensors and Low-Speed Braking Control. If those parking aids matter to you, EX-L is the trim to compare with Sport before you decide.

Why consider the 2026 Honda Passport?

For a family that needs room for five and regularly carries gear, the 2026 Honda Passport pairs standard all-wheel drive with a flexible cabin. A 60/40 split rear seatback, cargo bins and underfloor storage give you ways to organize everyday bags and make space for larger loads. Every trim includes blind spot information with a Cross Traffic Monitor, front and rear parking sensors, and Low-Speed Braking Control. Those features stay on the equipment list whether you choose an RTL or move into the TrailSport lineup.

How should safety ratings influence your choice?

IIHS awards identify strong safety choices within vehicle size categories. IIHS also explains that bigger, heavier vehicles generally offer greater protection than smaller, lighter vehicles; an award-winning small car may offer less protection than a larger vehicle without an award. The badge is therefore most useful alongside the vehicle’s size and its detailed test results.

Where can you explore these Hondas in Bowling Green?

Gary Force Honda is located at 2325 Scottsville Road in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Start with the new or pre-owned inventory to find a vehicle that interests you, then contact the dealership to ask about its availability and a test drive. Having a specific vehicle in mind lets you connect the award information with the model year, body style and equipment you are actually considering. For broader buying questions as you move from research to shopping, visit our New Honda Shopper FAQs.

Safety award information reviewed September 27, 2026.