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.

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Infiniti M Named IIHS Top Safety Pick

2013 Infiniti M. Photo courtesy of Infiniti.

The 2013 Infiniti M sedan, which includes the M37 and M56 models, has been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This means that it received a score of “good” in side, rollover, rear and moderate front overlap tests.
In a press release, Infiniti says that in addition to being a Top Safety Pick, the Infiniti M is available with a number of crash avoidance technologies, including lane departure warning and prevention, blind spot warning and intervention, brake assist and forward collision warning. These optional features are not related to the M’s Top Safety Pick designation, nor to its five-star safety rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The IIHS website details that the Top Safety Pick rating applies only to the M37 and M56, and does not include the M56x and M-Hybrid models.

2013 Infiniti M. Photo courtesy of Infiniti.

Left Lane News points out “that the Infiniti M didn't receive the IIHS' highest “Top Safety Pick+” designation.” In order to earn the Top Safety Pick+ accolade, a car must also undergo a small front overlap test, receive ratings of “good” in four of the five tests conducted and no less than an “acceptable” rating in the fifth test. This is due to the M not being put through the test, rather than the car not passing the test.
Other luxury large cars that are Top Safety Picks include the Cadillac CTS and XTS sedans, BMW 5-Series, Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Lexus GS, Hyundai Equus and Genesis, Volvo S80 and Lincoln MKS.
For 2014, the Infiniti M will be renamed the Infiniti Q70 as part of Infiniti’s new naming strategy. The 2013 Infiniti M starts at $48,700.

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2014 Subaru Forester Named IIHS Top Safety Pick

The 2014 Subaru Forester has been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This means the affordable compact SUV earned the top score of Good in the IIHS’ side, rear and moderate overlap front crash tests, as well as in the rollover/roof strength test. The previous generation Forester was also an IIHS Top Safety Pick.
The $21,995 Forester is redesigned for the 2014 model year and comes standard with safety features like seven air bags, all-wheel drive, anti-lock brakes, brake assist and a rollover sensor. Subaru’s EyeSight system is optional, and includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning and sway warning.
Other compact SUVs that are Top Safety Picks include the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Patriot, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and Volkswagen Tiguan. The IIHS says it will test the Forester and other compact SUVs in its new small overlap front crash test soon and release their crash test ratings this spring. If vehicles earn the top rating of Good or Acceptable in this test, as well as Good in the other four tests, they are given Top Safety Pick+ awards, which is the highest award the institute gives. Midsize and luxury midsize cars have been tested in this new category so far, as well as a few other models, and 15 midsize cars have earned the Top Safety Pick+ designation, including cars like the Volvo S60, Honda Accord, Mazda6 and Subaru Legacy.
If you’re shopping for a safe family vehicle, check out our 2013 U.S. News Best Cars for Families awards, which will be announced early next week. In the meantime, see which vehicles won Best Cars for Families awards in 2012.

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