Dec. 23, 2013—Strict changes to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) vehicle awards criteria reduced the number of “Top Safety Pick+” and “Top Safety Pick” winners from a combined 130 in 2013 to 39 in 2014.
"We've made it more difficult for manufacturers this year," said IIHS president Adrian Lund. "Following a gradual phase-in, the small overlap crash is now part of our basic battery of tests, and good or acceptable performance should be part of every vehicle's safety credentials. We also felt it was time to offer extra recognition to manufacturers that are offering a proven crash avoidance technology."
IIHS awarded 22 vehicles with its “Top Safety Pick+” for 2014.
This award recognizes high levels of protection in crashes, and technology that helps prevent collisions, such as basic warning systems on the Ford Fusion, and Subaru’s EyeSight warning and auto-brake systems.
Seventeen vehicles also earned the “Top Safety Pick” by meeting other safety criteria, such as a new performance requirement that rates items like roof strength and head restraint.
To find out which vehicles earned awards, visit the IIHS website.