In the ever-evolving world of automotive safety, the 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron has just set a new benchmark. This electric SUV has earned the prestigious 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the highest accolade the organization bestows. Announced on May 12, 2025, in Reston, Virginia, this achievement highlights the Q6 e-tron’s exceptional performance in the IIHS’s updated and more stringent testing criteria, alongside its comprehensive suite of safety-enhancing features, making it a standout choice for safety-conscious consumers.
The Significance of the TOP SAFETY PICK+ Award
The IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award is a coveted recognition in the automotive industry, and for 2025, earning it has become even more challenging. The IIHS has raised the bar by refining its testing protocols, with a particular focus on improving safety for rear-seat passengers. The updated moderate-overlap front collision test—which simulates a head-on collision between two vehicles of equal size and weight at 40 mph with 40% of their front widths overlapping—now includes an additional test dummy representing smaller occupants, such as children or petite adults, positioned in the second row behind the driver. New metrics assess the injuries most commonly sustained by rear-seat occupants, making this test a critical measure of a vehicle’s ability to protect all passengers. 
To secure the TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation, vehicles must achieve “good” ratings in the moderate-overlap front test, the small overlap front test, and the updated side test. Additionally, they must earn at least an “acceptable” or “good” rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation, which tests performance in both daytime and nighttime conditions. Finally, all trims must come equipped with headlights rated “acceptable” or “good.” The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron not only met but exceeded these rigorous standards, earning “good” ratings across all required categories.
Stellar Performance in Updated Testing
The Q6 e-tron’s performance in the updated moderate-overlap front collision test is a key highlight of its TOP SAFETY PICK+ achievement. By securing a “good” rating in this more demanding evaluation, the Q6 e-tron demonstrates Audi’s commitment to safeguarding rear-seat passengers—an area often overlooked in earlier safety assessments. This top rating is a cornerstone of its qualification for the “plus” designation, setting it apart from competitors.
Beyond this, the Q6 e-tron excelled in the small overlap front test, which evaluates protection in offset frontal crashes, and the updated side test, which assesses occupant safety in side-impact collisions. Its pedestrian front crash prevention system also earned a “good” rating, showcasing its ability to detect and avoid pedestrians in varying light conditions. Paired with standard headlights that meet the IIHS’s high standards across all trims, the Q6 e-tron delivers a comprehensive safety profile that leaves little room for compromise.
A Suite of Advanced Safety Features
The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron goes beyond crash test excellence with an impressive array of standard and available safety features designed to prevent collisions and protect occupants. These technologies enhance driver awareness, assist in critical situations, and provide peace of mind on every journey. Here’s a closer look at what the Q6 e-tron offers:
Standard Safety Features
- Audi Proactive Passenger Protection: In the event of an impending collision, this system prepares the vehicle by beginning to close the side windows and panoramic sunroof while pretensioning the front safety belts.
- Active Front Assist: A multi-function system combining Front Emergency Brake Assist, Swerve Assist, Front Turn Assist, and Front Cross Traffic Assist to mitigate frontal collision risks.
- Audi Side Assist: Provides blind spot monitoring with LED indicators on the exterior mirror housings at speeds above approximately 6 mph.
- Lane-Departure Warning: Keeps the driver within the lane using corrective steering and steering wheel vibration at speeds above approximately 40 mph.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Assist: Aids in reversing at speeds up to 6 mph by displaying indicator arrows in the MMI® system and, in critical situations, issuing a warning tone and brake jolt to prompt the driver to stop.
- Additional Standard Features: Rear turn assist, passenger exit warning, and camera-based traffic sign recognition further bolster safety and situational awareness.
Available Safety Features
- Adaptive Cruise Assist with Lane Guidance: Utilizes radar, camera, and ultrasonic sensors to accelerate, brake, maintain speed and distance, and keep the vehicle centered in its lane—ideal for highway and stop-and-go traffic.
- Top View Camera System: Employs front, rear, and side-view cameras to create a simulated 360-degree view of the vehicle’s surroundings, simplifying parking and navigation in tight spaces.
These features complement the Q6 e-tron’s top-tier crash test performance, offering a holistic approach to safety that enhances its appeal to families and individuals alike.
A New Standard for Electric SUVs
The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron’s TOP SAFETY PICK+ award is more than just a badge—it’s a testament to Audi’s dedication to advancing automotive safety in the electric vehicle segment. By excelling in the IIHS’s tougher 2025 criteria, particularly in rear-passenger protection, and pairing that with an extensive suite of driver assistance technologies, the Q6 e-tron sets a high bar for competitors. For consumers who prioritize safety without sacrificing style, performance, or sustainability, this electric SUV emerges as a compelling choice, redefining what it means to drive with confidence in 2025.
See the press release at Audi USA.
Cool to see what Audi is doing with the Q6