Top picks:
- Ford Explorer
- Ford Fiesta
- Ford Flex
- Ford Fusion
- Ford Taurus
- Lincoln MKS
- Lincoln MKT
- Lincoln MKZ
Only two automakers had more models than Ford in this year’s safety picks. The new design of Ford’s popular Explorer earned the midsize SUV its first top safety pick ever. The automaker also strengthened the roofs of the Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, Ford Fusion, and Lincoln MKZ. The latter two are midsize cars that didn’t initially qualify for the award because of inadequate roof strength. The institute also gave the all-new Ford Fiesta a Top Safety pick, the only minicar to get the award, although it says that larger cars are generally safer than smaller ones, even those that do well in crash tests.
