New-car picks when safety comes first

 

Some of the best new cars for safety-conscious drivers have been revealed in a 2017 list of crash test winners.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named the 2017-year models that top its criteria for crash tests, crash avoidance and crash mitigation, including 43 Top Safety Pick and 44 Top Safety Pick+ award winners in 12 vehicle categories.

Among them is the Subaru Impreza, when equipped with EyeSight safety features and adaptive LED headlights, which claimed a Top Safety Pick+ rating in the small cars category for the fifth year running.

The Impreza has received the IIHS’ highest classification each year since the Top Safety Pick+ was introduced in 2013, and builds upon Subaru’s reputation for quality and safety.

To qualify as a 2017 Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn good ratings in five crashworthiness tests as well as an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.

And to make the grade for 2017 Top Safety Pick+ status, vehicles must get good ratings in five crashworthiness tests, an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention as well as an acceptable or good headlight rating.

The IIHS points out that Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ winners are the best vehicles for safety within their particular categories. The size and weight of a vehicle influences the protection of its occupants in serious crashes and larger, heavier vehicles “generally afford more protection than smaller, lighter ones,” it says. Therefore, a small car with a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ rating doesn’t necessarily give more protection than a bigger car that didn’t earn an award.

If safety is a top priority in your car-shopping process, check out the list of 2017 winners, by category, at the IIHS website.

For an easy-to-understand explanation of car safety features, browse through RoadLoans’ comprehensive list.

And for new-car financing, read about our fast, easy online process. You can apply for a loan with RoadLoans in minutes and get a decision in seconds.

Written by: Rob Looker on March 16, 2017