The Safest Cars to Drive in 2014

Crash-test ratings show which cars are the safest to drive for 2014.

The Safest Cars to Drive in 2014

Posted in News

— It's the end of another year and time for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) list of the safest vehicles for 2014.  The Institute is funded by insurance companies and if there are any companies that want safer cars, it's insurance companies.

A "Top Safety Pick" award used to be the highest honor bestowed on a vehicle based solely on the level of crash protection.  However, the Institute is now taking into consideration the ability of a vehicle to avoid a crash in the first place and created a new award: Top Safety Pick+.

For 2014, twenty-two vehicles earn the highest safety award, Top Safety Pick+, thanks to a high level of protection in crashes and the availability of front crash prevention technology.  An additional 17 vehicles earn Top Safety Pick by meeting the crashworthiness criteria, although without front crash protection technology.

For a vehicle to receive a Top Safety Pick award, that vehicle must have good performance in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests.  It must also have a good or acceptable rating in the small overlap front test.

To be award Top Safety Pick+, a vehicle must meet the same level of performance in those tests, along with at least a basic rating for front crash prevention.

IIHS began rating front crash prevention systems earlier this year after research by its affiliate, the Highway Loss Data Institute, showed that forward collision warning and automatic braking systems are reducing crashes.

2014 Top Safety Pick+ Awards

Small Cars

Midsize Moderately Priced Cars

Midsize Luxury Cars

Large Luxury Cars

Small SUVs

Midsize SUV

Midsize Luxury SUVs

Minivan

2014 Top Safety Pick (Without front crash protection technology)

Minicar

Small Cars

Midsize Moderately Priced Cars

Midsize Luxury Car

Small SUV

Midsize Luxury SUV

Note:  Except for the Volvo S60, S80 and XC60 and the hybrid version of the Honda Civic 4-door, vehicles listed under Top Safety Pick+ qualify for that award only when equipped with optional front crash prevention. Front crash prevention isn't available on non-hybrid versions of the Civic.