Audi A6, Q8 earn 2019 IIHS safety awards

The Q8 missed out on Top Safety Pick Plus honors due to headlight performance.

Audi's 2019 A6 and Q8 have both earned Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awards.

Both the sedan and SUV received across-the-board 'good' ratings in all crash scenarios, along with a 'superior' rating for their standard crash-prevention systems.

The redesigned A6 has joined the Top Safety Pick Plus ranks, thanks to two available headlight options that were deemed 'good.' The base model's headlights were rated 'marginal,' however.

The Q8 has received Top Safety Pick honors. Its best-rated headlights fell short, earning an 'acceptable' mark and disqualifying the SUV from the TSP+ club.

"A good headlight rating would have elevated the Q8 to a Top Safety Pick+," the IIHS noted. "The Q8's base headlights earn a poor rating, due largely to excessive glare from the low beams."