After several announcements of various models that were awarded the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s “Top Safety Pick Plus” rating, the IIHS has released its full list of the safest cars for 2013.

There were a total of 13 vehicles that were awarded the new Top Safety Pick Plus award which included: the Acura TL, Dodge Avenger, Chrysler 200 sedan, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, (coupe and sedan), Kia Optima, Nissan Altima sedan, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Suzuki Kizashi, Volkswagen Passat, and Volvo S60.

The previously mentioned 13 models out of the 29 models that have been evaluated by the IIHS in its new small overlap frontal crash test, received the highest level of all-around crash protection. For a vehicle to earn one of the Top Safety Pick Plus vehicle spots, the vehicle must earn good rating for occupant protection in at least four of the five evaluations, with no less than an acceptable on the fifth test.

IIHS also announced that 117 additional vehicles have earn a Top Safety Pick rating, meaning those vehicles have good rating for occupant protection in the moderate overlap frontal test, side impact, rollover, and rear tests, regardless of their small overlap test rating.

“Models that earn Top Safety Pick also offer outstanding protection in many crashes,” saidn
Adrian Lund, IIHS president. “These vehicles are much safer choices than most vehicles on the market just five years ago.”

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