2013 Toyota RAV4 Named IIHS Top Safety Pick

U.S. News and World Report

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the redesigned 2013 Toyota RAV4 a Top Safety Pick Tuesday. The 2013 RAV4 joins the ranks of other affordable compact SUVs that have won the award, including the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester.
The redesigned RAV4 earned the institute’s top score of Good in moderate overlap front, side impact and rear crash tests, as well as roof strength tests. Motor Trend points out that since the 2013 RAV4 “was not tested in the new small overlap front test, the car isn’t eligible for the Top Safety Pick + designation.” So far, the only SUV to earn a Top Safety Pick + rating from the IIHS is the Volvo XC60.
The new RAV4 earns better safety ratings from the IIHS than the 2012 model. The IIHS reports that the 2013 RAV4 “withstood a force equal to 5 times the SUV's weight.” The 2012 RAV4 earned an Acceptable rating in roof strength tests, withstanding 3.46 times its weight in roof strength tests.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the redesigned 2013 RAV4 an overall score of four out of five stars, which is comprised of a four-star rating in rollover and front crash tests, and a five-star rating in side crash tests.