The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ranks 2017's safest vehicles

38 vehicles received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) highest award for safety in the new list published Thursday.

The top honor, the 2017 TOP SAFETY PICK+, went to vehicles that offer state-of-the-art protection for occupants who are involved in crashes as well as features that help drivers avoid collisions in the first place. Great emphasis was placed on headlights and automatic braking technology, the report said.

"The field of contenders is smaller this year because so few vehicles have headlights that do their job well, but it's not as small as we expected when we decided to raise the bar for the awards," said IIHS president Adrian Lund in a press release. "Manufacturers are focusing on improving this basic safety equipment, and we're confident that the winners' list will grow as the year progresses."

44 additional vehicles were given the 2017 TOP SAFETY PICK designation.

2017 TOP SAFETY PICK + (highest ranking)

Small cars

Midsize cars

Midsize luxury cars

Large luxury cars

Small SUVs

Midsize SUVs

Midsize luxury SUVs

Minivan

Large pickup

2017 TOP SAFETY PICK

Minicars

Small cars

Midsize cars

Midsize luxury cars

Large car

Large luxury cars

Small SUVs

Midsize SUVs

Midsize luxury SUVs

Large SUV

Minivan

FULL REPORT: http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/desktopnews/in-the-best-light-2017-top-safety-pick-winners-meet-new-headlight-criteria