IIHS Top Safety Picks Nearly Double in 2014

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has handed out its top safety award to nearly double the amount of vehicles compared to last year.

For 2014, 71 vehicles earned the ‘Top Safety Pick’ title, while the amount of vehicles that qualify for the ‘Top Safety Pick Plus’ rating increased by 11 to 34 cars. Last year, just 39 cars were given a ‘Top Safety Pick’ rating.

To qualify as a ‘Top Safety Pick,’ a vehicle must earn a good or acceptable rating in the small overlap front test and a good rating in each of the Institute’s four other crash tests — moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints. To go the extra mile and tack on the ‘Plus,’ a vehicle must have a front crash prevention system, which can be rated at either basic, advanced or superior.

To test the front crash systems, the IIHS determines whether a vehicle can stop or slow down without driver intervention before hitting a target 12 mph, 25 mph or both.

One reason for the massive growth in ‘Top Safety Picks’ is the new small overlap crash test. When it was introduced last year, many vehicles performed poorly on the test, which sends the vehicle into a rigid barrier at 40 mph with 25 percent of the front end overlapping it. Now, automakers have had a chance to go back to the drawing board to make sure their vehicles are as safe as possible.

For 2014, the IIHS awarded the ‘Top Safety Pick Plus” title to the: Lexus CT200h, Mazda 3, Subaru Impreza, Subaru XV Crosstrek, Toyota Prius, Chrysler 200, Mazda 6, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Toyota Camry, Toyota Prius V, Acura TLX, Audi A3, BMW 2 Series, Infiniti Q50, Volvo S60, Volvo V60, Toyota Avalon, Acura RLX, Hyundai Genesis, Infiniti Q70 (except V8 four-wheel drive models), Lexus RC, Mercedes E-Class, Volvo S80, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forester, Toyota Highlander, Acura MDX, Lexus NX, Mercedes M-Class, Volvo XC60 and the Toyota Sienna.

For a full list of all the cars that received a Top Safety Pick rating, click here.

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