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NHTSA’s Safety Tests Determine 2013’s Safest Cars

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2013’s Safest CarsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s coveted 5-star test has been something of a topic of discussion in the news cycle lately with Telsa claiming that its Model S is the safest car ever tested by the NHTSA and was awarded a never-before-seen 5.4-star rating.  This has prompted the NHTSA to respond by essentially throwing their arms up and shouting “are you guys serious?”


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When they’re not disputing automakers at the sticker chart, the NHTSA conducts crash tests and recalls as well as creating regulations regarding fuel economy and theft resistance.  Their five-star safety rating, along with that of the non-profit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), are the standard by which a vehicle’s ability to prevent injuries and save lives are measured.

Recently, both The Car Connection and The Christian Science Monitor released lists of the Safest Cars of 2013.  Both lists included only those vehicles that received the highest marks in both the NHTSA and IIHS crash tests, and as such, their lists are identical and as follows:

  • 2013 Dodge Dart
  • 2014 Ford Focus Electric
  • 2013 Ford Fusion Energi
  • 2014 Honda Accord Coupe
  • 2014 Kia Optima
  • 2013 Nissan Altima
  • 2014 Subaru Outback
  • 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  • 2013 Volvo S60
  • 2013 Volvo XC60

By visiting SaferCar.gov, drivers can view the NHTSA’s safety ratings for their vehicles and compare the ratings of vehicles they may be considering buying.  It is a useful and invaluable resource; particularly should you feel suspicious upon hearing that an automaker claims its car was so amazing that it got all of the stars.  Yes.  All of them.