All new car models undergo strict crash testing. Some do better than others.
What are the top safety picks for 2013?
Here’s the list from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which is awarding its Top Safety Rating+ to just 13 models.
Winners include the Acura TL; Dodge Avenger and its twin, the Chrysler 200 4-door; Ford Fusion; Honda Accord 2-door; Honda Accord 4-door; Kia Optima; Nissan Altima 4-door; Subaru Legacy and its twin, the Subaru Outback; Suzuki Kizashi; Volkswagen Passat and Volvo S60. The Acura TL and Volvo S60 are midsize luxury cars. The other models are midsize moderately priced cars.
“Of the 29 models evaluated so far in our small overlap frontal crash test, these 13 cars offer the highest level of all-around crash protection,” says Adrian Lund, IIHS president.
IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal or poor based on performance in variety of frontal and side crashes, rollovers, and how well the seat/head restraints protect occupants against neck injuries in rear impacts.
IIHS added a test called “overlap” last year to replicate what happens when the front corner of a car collides with another vehicle or an object like a tree or utility pole. In the test, 25% of a car’s front end on the driver side strikes a 5-foot-tall rigid barrier at 40 mph.
For 2013, 117 additional vehicles earn Top Safety Pick. Since it’s a such a long list, we’re sending you to the full list on the IIHS website for the full list. But popular models include:
- Safest 2013 Minicars: Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta sedan and hatchback, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris hatchback
- Safest 2013 Small cars: Chevrolet Cruz and Sonic, Subaru Impreza and Crosstek, Toyota Prius and Prius v
- Safest 2013 Midsize cars:: Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima, VW Jetta and Passat, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C Class
- Safest 2013 SUVs: Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Dodge Durango and Journey, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Venza and Highlander
- Safest 2013 Luxury cars: Cadillac CTS and XTS, Lincoln MKS, Volvo S80
Overall, according to the IIHS, 2013 models are much safer choices than most vehicles on the market just five years ago, which is really good news to any car buyer
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ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter currently serves as President of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA), a former Board Member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and a current member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA).
Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.
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Not really surprised that Subaru has a bunch of cars on this list. They’ve always been known for making quality, reliable cars.