Safest cars, trucks and SUVs for 2017 released

RUCKERSVILLE, VA -- 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.

PHOTOS: 2017's sexiest and safest vehicles

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Acura MDX

AP Photo/John Minchillo

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.

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

Midsize luxury cars

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

Small SUVs

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

Midsize SUVs

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

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