IIHS names safest cars for 2013

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named the safest cars for 2013, including 13 midsize sedans that qualify for a new “top safety pick+” designation.

The designation is given to vehicles that earn “good” ratings for occupant protection in at least four of five tests, with no less than “acceptable” in the fifth test. A new test -- the small overlap test -- was added to assess how the vehicles perform during a front-corner collision with another vehicle or object, such as a utility pole.

The 13 cars that earned the rating are the Acura TL, Dodge Avenger and its twin, the Chrysler 200 sedan, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord coupe and sedan, Kia Optima, Nissan Altima sedan, Subaru Legacy and its twin, the Subaru Outback, Suzuki Kizashi, Volkswagen Passat and Volvo S60.

IIHS rates vehicles based on their performance in moderate overlap front crash, small overlap frontal crash, side impact and rollover, plus evaluations of seat/head restraints. The top safety pick designation was first applied in the 2006 model year.

Top safety pick awards were given to 117 vehicles for 2013 that have good ratings for occupant protection in the original four categories, regardless of how they performed in the new small overlap rating. Visit IIHS.org for a full list of 2013's safest cars.

Luxury and non-luxury midsize cars are the first group to be evaluated for the new small overlap test, so more top safety pick+ winners could be announced in the future. Results for the small SUVs are expected this spring.

By Angie Fisher