The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The 13 vehicles below were the cars IIHS initially named as 2013 TOP SAFETY PICK+ winners. The award recognized performance against specific crash-test criteria; it was not a ranked list of the 13 safest vehicles sold in the United States for model year 2013. IIHS announced the roster on December 20, 2012, while testing was still underway.
Which cars earned 2013 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+?
IIHS’s December 20, 2012 announcement named these 13 vehicles. The Acura TL and Volvo S60 were previously tested luxury models that also qualified, so the roster spans different vehicle classes and test cohorts.
- Dodge Avenger
- Chrysler 200 4-door
- Ford Fusion
- Honda Accord 2-door coupe
- Honda Accord 4-door sedan
- Kia Optima
- Nissan Altima 4-door sedan
- Subaru Legacy
- Subaru Outback
- Suzuki Kizashi
- Volkswagen Passat
- Acura TL
- Volvo S60
There is no official 1-to-13 order in the announcement. It identifies award recipients, not a ranking in which the first vehicle performed better than the last.
What did the 2013 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award measure?
IIHS introduced the “+” distinction in 2013, when it added a driver-side small-overlap front crash evaluation to its award criteria. For TOP SAFETY PICK+, a vehicle needed a good rating in at least four of five evaluations and no worse than acceptable in the fifth:
#1 Best Overall
- 2 IN 1 BOOSTER FUNCTIONALITY: Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat adapts as your child grows, from a forward-facing harness booster car seat (40–65 lbs., 43.4"–49") to a belt-positioning booster car seat with back for (40–100 lbs., 43.4"–52").
- SLIM CAR SEAT DESIGN FITS 3 ACROSS: Great for large families or carpools, this 2-in-1 booster seat for forward-facing with harness and belt-positioning booster with high back is designed to fit three across in the back seat of most vehicles.
- LIGHTWEIGHT & PORTABLE BOOSTER: Easily move this booster car seat from car to car, thanks to its lightweight design, making it ideal for busy, on-the-go families needing versatile booster seats for children 40–100 lbs.
- CUSTOMIZABLE SUPPORT: The adjustable headrest allows for tailored support as your child grows, providing comfort during every ride in this 2-in-1 booster car seat with a 5-point harness that converts to a belt-positioning high back booster seat.
- EASY TO CLEAN: 2-in-1 booster car seat for forward-facing with harness and belt-positioning highback booster has a seat pad that is machine-washable and dryer-safe. The two removable cup holders are dishwasher-safe.
- Moderate-overlap front
- Driver-side small-overlap front
- Original side
- Roof strength
- Head restraints
By comparison, the 2013 TOP SAFETY PICK award required good ratings in the moderate-overlap front, original side, roof-strength and head-restraint evaluations, regardless of the small-overlap result. The “+” therefore signified that a vehicle also met the stricter overall threshold that included the new small-overlap test. See IIHS’s historical award records and criteria.
Why the small-overlap test mattered
In the test described in IIHS’s 2012 announcement, 25 percent of the driver-side front of a vehicle struck a rigid barrier at 40 mph. It was designed to represent a front-corner collision with another vehicle or an object such as a tree or utility pole. IIHS cited its 2009 study, which found that small-overlap crashes accounted for nearly a quarter of serious or fatal frontal crashes involving front-seat occupants in the study’s vehicles with good frontal crash-protection ratings. That figure describes a share of serious or fatal frontal crashes, not of all crashes.
Rank #2
- BOOST YOUR SAFETY QUOTIENT: Features a deep design with overlapping head and body sides, providing added support where it’s needed most; meets or exceeds all applicable federal safety standards
- MAKE ADJUSTMENTS WITH EASE: Allows for easy height adjustment to 7 positions with one hand for better fit for your child as they grow
- SMOOTH THE TRANSITION: Offers two modes of use, easily transitioning from high back to no back booster for kids at least 5 years of age, weighing 40 to 120 lb
- JUST GET UP AND GROW: Allows you to keep your growing child in the booster longer, adjusting as needed to maintain proper vehicle belt fit
- KEEP BEVERAGES HANDY: Features 2 cup holders built into the seat, keeping drinks and snacks close and allowing the driver to stay focused on the road
How to interpret the list if you are comparing cars
Compare by class, size and body style
The award does not show that every vehicle on the list outperforms every other car. IIHS cautions that vehicle size matters: larger, heavier vehicles generally afford more protection than smaller, lighter ones. Compare vehicles in a similar class and body style, and look at the individual test ratings rather than treating the award roster as an all-class ranking.
Check build-date limits
Some awards apply only to vehicles built after a specified date, so a model-year label alone may not establish eligibility. IIHS’s historical records identify these build-date limits for several vehicles on the list:
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- 2-in-1 Convertible Seat: From highback to backless booster to accommodate your growing child
- Safety First: Graco ProtectPlus Engineered with rigorous crash tests to ensure maximum safety
- Comfortable Ride: Height-adjustable armrests and head support for your child’s comfort
- Convenient Features: Hide-away cup holders keep your child content on the road
- Secure Positioning: Open-loop belt guides for proper seat belt positioning and independent self-buckling
| Vehicle | Applicable build date in IIHS award record |
|---|---|
| Ford Fusion | Built after December 2012 |
| Nissan Altima | Built after November 2012 |
| Subaru Legacy and Outback | Built after August 2012 |
| Volkswagen Passat | Built after October 2012 |
Confirm the precise model year, body style and build date in the IIHS vehicle ratings and award records before applying an award to a particular car.
Keep IIHS and NHTSA ratings separate
NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings are a different program, using frontal, side and rollover evaluations. Its model-year-2013 announcement said its selected lineup represented approximately 85 percent of 2013 model-year vehicles sold in the United States. That coverage figure describes NHTSA’s selected lineup, not the share of vehicles that earned a particular rating. An IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award is not a NHTSA star rating.
Rank #4
- This Graco booster seat helps safely transport your big kid from ages 4 -10, from 40 - 100 pounds and up to 57 inches tall
- Backless booster is top-rated by leading consumer magazines and publications
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered: a combination of the most rigorous crash tests that helps to protect your child in frontal, rear, and rollover crashes; additional testing based on the New Car Assessment Program and for extreme car interior temperatures
- The boost your child will love
- Height-adjustable armrests for your child's comfort
NHTSA also says frontal and overall scores can only be compared among vehicles in the same class and within 250 pounds; side and rollover results can be compared across classes. Those rules apply to NHTSA results and do not create a ranking of the IIHS awardees. See NHTSA’s rating methods and vehicle ratings and its model-year-2013 program announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to check on a used 2013 car
A historical award is about a model and its tested configuration; it cannot establish the condition or safety of an individual used vehicle today. Before buying, verify the car’s exact build details and check its current recalls, maintenance, crash history and repair quality. A qualified independent pre-purchase inspection can help assess the vehicle’s present condition.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 2 IN 1 BOOSTER FUNCTIONALITY: Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat adapts as your child grows, from a forward-facing harness booster car seat (40–65 lbs., 43.4"–49") to a belt-positioning booster car seat with back for (40–100 lbs., 43.4"–52").
- SLIM CAR SEAT DESIGN FITS 3 ACROSS: Great for large families or carpools, this 2-in-1 booster seat for forward-facing with harness and belt-positioning booster with high back is designed to fit three across in the back seat of most vehicles.
- LIGHTWEIGHT & PORTABLE BOOSTER: Easily move this booster car seat from car to car, thanks to its lightweight design, making it ideal for busy, on-the-go families needing versatile booster seats for children 40–100 lbs.
- CUSTOMIZABLE SUPPORT: The adjustable headrest allows for tailored support as your child grows, providing comfort during every ride in this 2-in-1 booster car seat with a 5-point harness that converts to a belt-positioning high back booster seat.
- EASY TO CLEAN: 2-in-1 booster car seat for forward-facing with harness and belt-positioning highback booster has a seat pad that is machine-washable and dryer-safe. The two removable cup holders are dishwasher-safe.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
