Top Safety Ratings Achieved by Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia
The 2025 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia have secured top safety pick status in the latest testing round from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This achievement comes after both vehicles implemented changes to their headlights midyear, addressing previous concerns.
The 2025 Buick Enclave attained the Top Safety Pick Plus award, the highest rating in the IIHS top safety study. Meanwhile, the 2025 GMC Acadia achieved the Top Safety Pick award but fell short of Plus status due to scoring only ‘acceptable’ in an updated crash test.
According to David Aylor, vice president of active safety at IIHS, both General Motors vehicles produced for the 2025 model year achieved higher rankings after meeting more stringent crash-safety and headlight requirements. Previously, both vehicles missed out on IIHS’s initial list of award winners in March due to subpar headlight ratings.
The IIHS updated its safety testing program this year to include requirements ensuring second-row occupants have the same level of protection as those in the front row. This involves testing the impact on 40% of the front end of a vehicle and measuring damage to both the driver and a rear occupant behind the driver’s seat. A ‘good’ rating is now required to pass this category, unlike previously when an ‘acceptable’ rating was sufficient.
In contrast, the all-electric 2025 Cadillac Lyriq midsize luxury SUV failed to reach top safety standards after failing the headlight test. Aylor noted that while GM repositioned headlights in the Acadia and Enclave to protect the vision of oncoming drivers, the Lyriq’s headlights remain at an unsafe angle, earning a ‘poor’ rating.
To qualify for either award, brands must meet ‘good’ ratings in small overlap front and side tests, rank ‘acceptable’ or ‘good’ for pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation, and achieve ‘acceptable’ or ‘good’ ratings for headlights. The IIHS uses sensors to measure vision distance and glare when grading headlight performance on its test track.
Other vehicles newly tested in this year’s safety rating qualifications include the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron, Kia K4, Nissan Kicks, Nissan Rogue, Nissan Sentra, and Toyota Tacoma crew cab. Only the 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron luxury SUV secured ‘good’ ratings in all categories.
The IIHS staggers vehicle announcements for its safety list to account for the timeframe when vehicles undergo product updates and releases, as well as when the institute can obtain vehicles for testing. Aylor added that missing data could also contribute to a failing grade, and not every new or significantly updated vehicle for 2025 has been tested for the full suite of ratings.
General Motors sold 11,067 Buick Enclaves and 13,257 GMC Acadias in the first quarter of 2025. Jackie Charniga, who covers General Motors for the Free Press, reported on the safety ratings achievement.
