Subaru Forester, Legacy and Outback earn IIHS Top Safety Pick+ ratings

Thu, 26 Dec 2013

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced its more rigorous standards for the Top Safety Pick+ crash test rating back in September, and has recently called out some new models that have attained this highest rating. Last year, the TSP+ category was created for vehicles passing the then-new small overlap crash test; this year the top award has been amended to include crash prevention technology.

Thanks to its EyeSight technology, the Subaru Legacy, Outback and Forester are among just 22 vehicles to have been named a 2014 TSP+ by the IIHS. Without this technology, all three vehicles – and the Impreza and XV Crosstrek – were still named a Top Safety Pick (without the +).

To test the crash prevention technology, the IIHS uses two tests (one at 12 miles per hour and one at 25 mph) to see how well the systems do to lessen the severity of an impact. or prevent an impact altogether. Vehicles are then given a rating from Superior (best), Advanced or Basic, and cars that do not offer forward collision warning or auto braking are not given a rating in this category. To be named a TSP+, a car must achieve at least a Basic score for crash prevention, but all three Subaru models earned a perfect score to receive a Superior rating. Scroll down for Subaru's press release.

Subaru Meets Higher Standard of Safety with 2014 "IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK (TSP) +" Award for Three Models

The 2014 Legacy, Outback and Forester with optional "EyeSight" received the IIHS' highest standard of safety, the 2014 "TSP+" award and the highest possible rating of superior for front crash prevention.

The 2014 Impreza (except WRX) and Subaru XV Crosstrek met tougher criteria with the 2014 "TSP" award

Tokyo, December 25, 2013 – Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, today announced that the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS; a nonprofit organization supported by auto insurers in the US) has awarded the highest standard of safety, 2014 TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) along with the highest possible rating of superior for front crash prevention to the 2014 Subaru Legacy, Outback and Forester, equipped with Subaru's EyeSight driving assist system and currently sold in the North American region. Furthermore, the 2014 Impreza (except WRX) and Subaru XV Crosstrek have earned a 2014 TSP rating.

In all the tested vehicles, only the EyeSight-equipped Legacy, Outback and Forester have avoided a collision in the front crash prevention tests at both 12 mph and 25 mph. These three models earned 6 of 6 points for front crash prevention.

The EyeSight was the first system ever to use only stereo camera technology to detect the presence of pedestrians and cyclists. Since its Japanese debut in May 2008, features available on this system have been highly praised; they included pre-collision braking control and all-speed range adaptive cruise control tracking function. It stops the vehicle if it detects a risk of frontal collision, thereby avoiding the collision or reducing collision damage.

IIHS is using new criteria for the awards this year. TOP SAFETY PICK requires good performance in the Institute's moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests and, for the first time, good or acceptable performance in the small overlap front test introduced in 2012. The same level of performance in those tests, along with a basic, advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention, is required for the higher accolade, TOP SAFETY PICK+.

With the small overlap test now incorporated into the basic TOP SAFETY PICK criteria, IIHS is using the TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation to reward manufacturers that provide the next level of safety. This year, that means vehicles that not only protect their occupants in a crash but also have systems that can prevent or mitigate front-to-rear crashes. Front crash prevention, which includes both warning systems and automatic braking, is intended to help inattentive drivers avoid rear-ending a stopped or slower moving vehicle in front of them.

FHI aims to offer "Enjoyment and Peace of Mind" through the Subaru experience, its brand statement "Confidence in Motion" at the foundation. "Enjoyment and Peace of Mind" is not possible without the crucial element of "safety". Subaru will pursue all-around safety by continuing to advance its active, passive and pre-crash safety technologies.

By Jeffrey N. Ross