Safest Cars on the Market for 2014

Top Safety Picks for 2014

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) selects vehicles for its Top Safety Pick lists based on specific criteria. For instance, 22 earned the Top Safety Pick Plus distinction for 2014. The vehicles offer "a high level of protection in crashes and the availability of front crash prevention technology to avoid many collisions in the first place."

The following are a list of the vehicles that made the more stringent list, Top Safety Pick Plus:

• Acura MDX - midsize luxury SUV;
• Acura RLX - large luxury car;
• Ford Fusion - midsize car;
• Honda Accord two-door - midsize car;
• Honda Accord four-door - midsize car;
• Honda Civic four-door - small car;
• Honda Odyssey - minivan;
• Infiniti Q50 - midsize luxury/near luxury;
• Lincoln MKZ - midsize luxury/near luxury;
• Mazda 3 built after Oct 2013 - small car;
• Mazda 6 - midsize car;
• Mazda CX-5 built after Oct 2013 - small SUV;
• Mercedes-Benz M-Class built after Aug 2013 - midsize luxury SUV;
• Mitsubishi Outlander - small SUV;
• Subaru Forester - small SUV;
• Subaru Legacy - midsize car;
• Subaru Outback - midsize car;
• Toyota Highlander - midsize SUV;
• Toyota Prius built after Nov 2013 - small car;
• Volvo S60 - midsize luxury/near luxury;
• Volvo S80 - large luxury car; and
• Volvo XC60 - midsize luxury SUV.

There were an additional 17 vehicles that made the Top Safety Pick list for 2014, based only on crashworthiness criteria. Although these vehicles don’t make the plus list, they are still considered to be some of the safest.

The following are a list of vehicles that made the Top Safety Pick:

• Acura TL – midsize luxury/near-luxury car;
• Chevrolet Spark - minicar;
• Chrysler 200 four-door – midsize car;
• Dodge Avenger – midsize car;
• Dodge Dart – small car;
• Ford Focus – small car;
• Honda Civic two-door – small car;
• Hyundai Elantra – small car;
• Kia Optima – midsize car;
• Mitsubishi Outlander Sport – small SUV;
• Nissan Altima – midsize car;
• Scion tC – small car;
• Subaru Impreza – small car;
• Subaru XV Crosstrek – small car;
• Toyota Camry built after December 2013 – midsize car;
• Volkswagen Passat – midsize car;
• Volvo XC90 – midsize luxury SUV.

Although there are many different types of vehicles to choose from when it comes to optimal safety, there are many others that don’t make the mark. Do your research if you're considering buying a new car. Look at all of its features as well as its safety ratings.  Also, even the safest cars and their passengers get damaged in car accidents.  If you are in an accident, be sure to see a doctor and lawyer to ensure you are placed back to the same position you were in prior to the accident. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides a valuable resource through Safercar.gov. There, consumers can obtain crash test safety ratings on vehicles built as far back as 1990.

Unfortunately, some cars aren’t safe because of defects. This could be in the vehicle itself or its parts. When this happens and it results in an accident, causing injury or death, talk with an attorney and learn if a claim can be filed against the manufacturer. Consult Ryan, LLP in Cleveland with any legal questions regarding product liability – call 877-864-9495 or contact us online.