IIHS said it rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal or poor based on performance in a moderate overlap frontal crash, small overlap frontal crash, side impact and rollover, plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. Top Safety Pick+ winners must earn good ratings for occupant protection in at least four of five evaluations, with no less than acceptable in the fifth test.
For 2013, 117 additional vehicles earn Top Safety Pick. To qualify for that designation, vehicles must have good ratings for occupant protection in the moderate overlap frontal test, side impact, rollover and rear tests, regardless of their small overlap rating, according to the IIHS.
"Models that earn Top Safety Pick also offer outstanding protection in many crashes," Mr. Lund said. "These vehicles are much safer choices than most vehicles on the market just five years ago."
IIHS introduced the small overlap test in 2012 to further improve occupant protection in frontal crashes. Luxury/near luxury midsize cars were the first group of vehicles evaluated, followed by midsize moderately priced cars. The institute will announce additional Top Safety Pick+ winners as it continues to test models. Results for small SUVs are expected in the spring.
The small overlap test replicates what happens when the front corner of a car collides with another vehicle or an object like a tree or utility pole, the IIHS said. In the test, 25 percent of a car's front end on the driver side strikes a 5-foot-tall rigid barrier at 40 mph. A Hybrid III dummy representing a 50th percentile male is belted in the driver seat.
Most auto makers design their vehicles for good performance in the IIHS moderate overlap frontal test and the federal government's full-width frontal test, the institute said, but many haven't addressed the problem of small overlap crashes. In a 2009 IIHS study of vehicles with good ratings for frontal crash protection, small overlap crashes accounted for nearly a quarter of the frontal crashes involving serious or fatal injury to front seat occupants.
IIHS gives manufacturers advance notice of planned changes. Auto makers in the past have been quick to factor new IIHS evaluations into their designs, according to the institute, and many are on track to do the same with the introduction of the small overlap test and Top Safety Pick+.
"We've seen auto makers make structural and restraint changes in response to our small overlap test," Mr. Lund said. "Five manufacturers redesigned their midsize cars to enhance small overlap crash protection."
The OOJS said Honda engineered both versions of the Accord to do well in the test; Ford and Nissan made running structural changes to 2013 models already in production; and Subaru and Volkswagen changed airbag control modules on the production line so side curtain airbags would deploy for improved head protection.
IIHS first gave the Top Safety Pick award to 2006 models and has tightened criteria twice since then. Good rear test results and availability of electronic stability control became a requirement starting with 2007 models, and a good roof strength rating became a deciding factor for the 2010 model year. The institute said stability control is no longer a distinguishing criterion since the feature is standard under federal rules for 2012 and later models.
Midsize moderately priced cars
- Chrysler 200 4-door
- Dodge Avenger
- Ford Fusion built after December 2012
- Honda Accord 2-door
- Honda Accord 4-door
- Kia Optima
- Nissan Altima 4-door built after November 2012
- Subaru Legacy built after August 2012
- Subaru Outback built after August 2012
- Suzuki Kizashi
- Volkswagen Passat built after October 2012
Midsize luxury/near luxury cars
The IIHS describes itself as "an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing the losses—deaths, injuries and property damage—from crashes on the nation's roads." It is wholly supported by auto insurers.
