Audi’s all-new 2025 Q5, Q5 Sportback and A6 Sportback e-tron have each earned the 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the organization’s highest honor. Seven Audi models now carry the 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ distinction, more than any other luxury brand, reflecting a sustained focus on safety and quality engineering.
These new award-winners join the Audi A5, Q7, Q6 e-tron and Q6 Sportback e-tron, extending the brand’s safety recognition across both combustion and electric lineups. Built on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) for the Q5 range and the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) for the A6 Sportback e-tron, the vehicles pair advanced architectures with a comprehensive suite of standard and available safety-enhancing features.
Meeting tougher 2025 crash-test standards
For 2025, IIHS strengthened the requirements for its TOP SAFETY PICK+ award by updating the moderate-overlap front crash test to better represent real-world head-on collisions. The test simulates a 40 mph impact between two vehicles of similar size and weight with 40 percent overlap, and now includes a second-row dummy behind the driver representing a smaller occupant.
New injury metrics in this test focus on the types of injuries most often seen in rear-seat passengers, making the highest rating more challenging to obtain. The all-new Q5, Q5 Sportback and A6 Sportback e-tron each achieved a top “good” rating in this updated evaluation, a prerequisite for securing the “plus” designation and a strong indicator of rear-occupant protection.
Comprehensive performance across all required tests
Beyond the updated moderate-overlap front test, the 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award requires strong results in multiple crashworthiness and crash-avoidance categories. The Q5, Q5 Sportback and A6 Sportback e-tron all earned “good” ratings in the small overlap front and updated side crash tests, demonstrating robust structural integrity across a variety of impact scenarios.
Each of the three models also received at least an “acceptable” or “good” rating in pedestrian front crash prevention testing, which examines performance in both daytime and nighttime conditions. This balance of passive crash protection and active safety systems supports Audi’s commitment to enhancing safety for occupants as well as pedestrians.
Optimized lighting for real-world visibility
Headlight performance continues to play a crucial role in IIHS evaluations, with all trims required to feature headlamps rated “acceptable” or better to qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK+. The 2025 A6 Sportback e-tron received a combined “good/acceptable” headlight rating, while the all-new Q5 and Q5 Sportback earned “acceptable” ratings after re-testing.
Following early feedback, Audi adjusted the factory headlight aiming process to improve forward visibility while minimizing glare for other road users. As a result of these optimizations, 2025 Q5 and Q5 Sportback models produced after July 2025 meet the IIHS headlight criteria and are eligible for the 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation.
Transparency and consumer confidence
With seven models now recognized as 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award winners, Audi reinforces its position as a safety leader in the luxury segment. The honors cover both combustion and electric platforms, showing that safety remains a core priority regardless of powertrain.
Drivers and shoppers who wish to learn more about how these tests are conducted can find additional details in the “About our tests” section on the IIHS website at www.iihs.org. This resource explains the updated moderate-overlap front test, side impact procedures and other evaluations that inform IIHS ratings and consumer decision-making.
