The safest cars on the road for 2016

The 2016 Chrysler 200 and the new Fiat 500X have been deemed the safest cars on the road for 2016.

In the 2016 edition of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick+, Chrysler's mid-size sedan and Fiat 500X small crossover were given the top marks for safety.

To meet the requirements of the Top Safety Pick+ category, cars were evaluated on criteria such as small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, head restraint tests, and standard or optional front crash prevention system.

Winners of the plus category demonstrated superior and advanced front crash prevention systems and automatic braking capabilities.

That means the ability to stop or slow down without driver intervention before hitting a target in tests at 12 mph, 25 mph or both.

Chrysler 200

Overall, Japanese brand Toyota emerged the leader, landing nine winners, while Honda picked up eight.

A total of 48 vehicles made the list in the plus category that was dominated by non-US brands, notably from Japan, Germany and Sweden.

The only US brand to crack the Top Safety Pick+ category is Chrysler.

One echelon down, a total of 13 cars were winners in the Top Safety Pick group.

Full list of winners.

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