Safest cars, trucks and SUVs for 2017 released

RUCKERSVILLE, VA (KTRK) -- A new list is out this morning, ranking the safest cars out on the roads.

This year, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety toughened its criteria for the Top Safety Pick+ category.

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Acura MDX

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They had to have good or acceptable headlight ratings, plus crash-worthiness tests and front crash prevention in order to earn that rating.

A total of 38 vehicles earned the Pick+ designation for 2017. Toyota, along with its Lexus brand, led automakers with nine models on the list.

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Honda and its Acura division picked up five awards.

You can read more about the awards on the IIHS website.

Here's the full list of 2017 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award winners:

Small cars

• Chevrolet Volt
• Hyundai Elantra
• Mazda 3
• Toyota Corolla
• Toyota Prius

Midsize cars

• Honda Accord 4-door
• Mazda 6
• Nissan Altima
• Nissan Maxima
• Subaru Legacy
• Subaru Outback
• Toyota Camry
• Toyota Prius V
• Volkswagon Jetta

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Midsize luxury cars

• Audi A4
• Lexus ES 350
• Volvo S60
• Volvo V60

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Small SUVs

• Mazda CX-3
• Mitsubishi Outlander
• Nissan Rogue
• Subaru Forester
• Toyota RAV4

Midsize SUVs

• Honda Pilot
• Hyundai Santa Fe (built after March 2016)

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Midsize luxury SUVs

• Acura MDX
• Acura RDX
• Audi Q5
• Buick Envision
• Lexus NX
• Lexus RX
• Mercedes-Benz GLE Class
• Volvo XC60

Minivan: Chrysler Pacifica

Large pickup: Honda Ridgeline