The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an independent research organization, conducts crash tests on vehicles each year at the Vehicle Research Center in Virginia in order to determine which cars are the safest ones to drive. Standards for 2014 are stricter than any other year. In order to make it to the list of safest cars on the road for the Top Safety Pick+ designation, vehicles are required to offer both front-crash protection technology and occupant protection during in the event of an overlap crash.
Twenty-two vehicles made it to the list due to the widespread popularity of placing front-crash prevention systems into newer models. In order to qualify as one of the safest cars on the road in 2014, a vehicle needs to include at least one aspect of front-crash prevention.
Vehicles on this list must have an acceptable or good rating when performing in the small overlap crash test. These vehicles also need to do well regarding tests conducted to check head restraints, roof strength, side strength, and front strength.
Front-to-Rear Crash Prevention
All of the cars making it to the Top Safety Pick+ designation not only keep occupants as safe as possible in the event of a crash, but their designs also include systems to mitigate or prevent front-to-rear crashes from occurring. Systems commonly used include automatic braking and forward-collision warning systems.
Subaru offers “Eyesight,” a warning system designed to assist drivers in avoiding a collision at speeds of 12 and 25 mph. Volvo provides “City Safety,” an autobrake system that performs well at low speeds.
The Top Safety Pick+ List
Here is a look at the cars that made it to the Top Safety Pick+ list.
Small Cars
Honda Civic 4-door – basic warning system
Mazda 3 (only cars built after October of 2013)
Toyota Prius (only cars built after November of 2013)
Midsize Moderately Priced Cars
Ford Fusion – basic warning system
Honda Accord 2-door – basic warning system
Honda Accord 4-door – basic warning system
Mazda – basic front-crash prevention
Subaru Legacy – offers “Eyesight,” exceptional front-crash prevention
Subaru Outback – “Eyesight,” exceptional front-crash prevention
Midsize Luxury or Near-Luxury Cars
Infiniti Q50 – exceptional front-crash prevention
Lincoln MKZ – basic warning system
Volvo S60 – “City Safety,” optional forward collision warning, optional autobrake system for higher speeds
Large Luxury Cars
Acura RLX – fully redesigned for safety for 2014
Volvo S80 – “City Safety,” optional forward collision warning, optional autobrake system for higher speeds
Small SUVs
Mazda CX-5 (only cars built after October of 2013)
Mitsubishi Outlander – good front-crash prevention
Subaru Forester – “Eyesight,” exceptional front-crash prevention
Midsize SUVs
Toyota Highlander – fully redesigned for safety for 2014
Midsize Luxury SUVs
Acura MDX – fully redesigned for safety for 2014
Mercedes-Benz M-Class (only cars built after August of 2013)
Volvo XC60 – “City Safety,” optional forward collision warning, optional autobrake system for higher speeds,
Minivan
The Honda Odyssey – basic warning system
Auto Body Services
Even if your car is on the list for Top Safety Pick+, you might find yourself in need of the services of a licensed, trained mechanic. If you do, please feel free to contact our Auto Body Shop Vancouver or our Richmond Auto Body location.