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.