The 2016 Honda Pilot has notched up a 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) after it was equipped with optional front crash prevention.

This IIHS distinction also has a top rating of GOOD in five IIHS crash test modes. The 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation is conferred on vehicles sporting a front crash prevention system.

Honda Division senior vice president and general manager Jeff Conrad said: "The 2016 Pilot is not only the most technologically advanced Honda vehicle on the road today, but the top choice for family SUV buyers interested in safety performance.

"No other midsize mainstream SUV on the market today can match the comprehensive suite of Honda Sensing advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies on the new Honda Pilot."

Honda Sensing, supplied with Pilot EX trims and above, is claimed to help improve drivers' situational awareness with its various systems, which include the Collision Mitigation Braking System with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM).

IIHS president Adrian Lund said: "The Pilot demonstrates Honda's commitment to achieving the highest levels of safety performance... The Pilot's crashworthiness ratings set a high standard, and its optional front crash prevention system will help drivers avoid some kinds of crashes to begin with."