The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced that the 2013 Dodge Dart, Subaru XV Crosstrek, Lexus ES 350 and Hyundai Santa Fe earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award on Wednesday October 3, 2012.
In order to be named a Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must achieve a top score of “good” in all of the organization’s tests, including front, side and rear crash tests, as well as a rollover test. The IIHS recently introduced a new front-impact safety test, the small front overlap frontal crash test, designed to evaluate a vehicle on its ability to keep passengers safe in an accident where the front corner of the vehicle hits an object. This new test is not part of the criteria for a vehicle to be a Top Safety Pick though.
The IIHS said most automakers aced the current moderate overlap front test, as the engine absorbs much of the impact of the collision.
2013 Dodge Dart
The 2013 Dodge Dart recently earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick Award. The all new Dodge Dart rated Good (top rating given in testing) in front and side impact crash tests. The 2013 Dodge Dart combines an impressive list of features, fuel efficiency and safety into one gorgeous, fun to drive car.
The all new 2013 Dodge Dart raises the bar in the small car market leaving the bland and boring gas sippers behind. From the bold exterior design to the geeked out interior and robust powertrains the new Dart just begs to be driven. When you get behind the wheel and take to the East Texas roads the Dart will impress you with every aspect of the driving experience. With up to 41 MPG on the highway you can spend more time driving your new Dodge Dart than buying gas and snacks at the gas station.
 |
| 2013 Dodge Dart. (Picture from: http://wot.motortrend.com/) |
Besides being named a Top Safety Pick the Dodge Dart offers plenty of safety features. The Dart is equipped with ten airbags to help protect the occupants during a vehicle crash. Drivers will also enjoy knowing that Electronic Stability Control is standard to help drivers maintain control of the vehicle during extreme steering situations. The 2013 Dodge Dart also offers optional features including a Rear Park Assist System, Rear Back Up Camera and Rear Cross Path Detection.
2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
The all-new XV Crosstrek earned a "good" rating – the top rank – in the moderate overlap frontal, side, rollover and rear impact evaluations. The award means the XV does a good job at protecting people in front, side, rear, and now rollover crashes. Subaru’s entire range of vehicles has won thins award, so even though the are more about symmetrical all-wheel drive, their safety systems are top-notch.
“The XV Crosstrek brings Subaru all-wheel drive and crossover technology into the small CUV segment” said Thomas J. Doll, executive vice president and COO, Subaru of America, Inc. “Our buyers know that Subaru means safety and adding XV Crosstrek to our 100% list of IIHS Top Safety Picks is proof of that.”
 |
| 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek. (Picture from: http://www.motortrend.com/) |
“For three years running, Subaru is the only automotive manufacturer with the distinction of earning IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK awards for every model it builds,” said Institute president Adrian Lund. “It’s tough to win, and we commend Subaru for making safety a top priority.”
2013 Lexus ES
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s list of Top Safety Picks has grown by four cars. The 2013 versions of the Lexus ES 350 earned IIHS’ top award.
To earn the safety nod, a car must receive the highest score of Good in front, side, rear and rollover crash tests. The rollover test looks at a vehicle’s roof strength. To pass this crash test, a car’s roof must withstand a force of four times its weight. The ES have been redesigned for the 2013 model year.
 |
| 2013 Lexus ES 350. (Picture from: http://blogs.cars.com/) |
Both the ES 350 and ES 300h, a hybrid, have been named Top Safety Picks, besting the 2012 ES 350 that earned a Marginal score in the rear crash test.
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
As with its predecessor, the newly redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe crossover is also a Top Safety Pick. The Santa Fe was also redesigned for the 2013 model year and joins the previous generation model as a Top Safety Pick award winner.
Response to the redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe has been "nothing short of remarkable," Hyundai sales chief Dave Zuchowski said in a statement Tuesday.
 |
| 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. (Picture from: http://www.themotorreport.com.au/) |
However, sales for the nameplate — whose redesign sprouts a new Santa Fe Sport derivative that's lumped into the same sales figure — fell nearly 50% for the month. (Previous Part-1.) *** [FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | EKA | IIHS]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
