IIHS names USA's safest cars, SUVs for 2015

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More new cars – at last – are earning top scores in an all-important safety score from the insurance industry's safety arm.

The number of cars and SUVs named to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's top two categories has risen from 39 to 71 in the latest survey. The number winning the highest rating, Top Safety Pick Plus, is up by 11.

It's been a long road for many automakers who saw some of their most popular models suddenly flunking the IIHS tests when it raised the bar to include a tough new test. The test, called the small overlap, replicates what happens if a car crashes into a pole or another car on the driver's side. But one by one, they started to pass.

"This is the third year in a row that we are giving automakers a tougher challenge to meet," says IIHS President Adrian Lund in a statement. Besides the small overlap, IIHS crash tests vehicles for front crash worthiness, roof strength and head restraints.

IIHS singled out the Honda CR-V and Toyota Prius V as two of its turnaround stories.

Despite being a top seller, it went from marginal in 2012 to Top Safety Pick Plus for 2015. Now it is rated as good. Likewise, Prius V – the wagon version of the popular crossover – went from being one of the worst models rated to being one of the best.

Here's the list:Subaru Outback
Lexus CT 200h
Toyota Camry
Acura RLX
Toyota Highlander
Mazda3
Toyota Prius V
Hyundai Genesis
Subaru Impreza
Infiniti Q70
Subaru XV Crosstrek
Lexus RC
Acura MDX
Toyota Prius
Acura TLX
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Lexus NX
Audi A3
Volvo S80
Mercedes-Benz M-Class
BMW 2 series
Volvo XC60
Chrysler 200
Infiniti Q50
Mazda6
Volvo S60
Honda CR-V
Subaru Legacy
Volvo V60
Mazda CX-5
Toyota Sienna
Mitsubishi Outlander
Subaru Forester