About a week after the 2014 Fiat 500L and 2014 Mazda5 both failed the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, Ford scored a big win by announcing the 2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid had been named an IIHS Top Safety Pick.
Since the 2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid does not offer any front crash prevention technology, it was excluded it from the highest honor of Top Safety Pick+, but it scored top marks in the moderate overlap, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests. The C-Max Hybrid scored an Acceptable rating in the brutal small overlap crash test with the test finding that the side curtain airbag did not extend far enough forward, which could lead to the driver’s head making contact with the A-pillar trim. Also, there was enough cabin intrusion that there was a good chance the driver could suffer a lower right leg and foot injuries.
“Ford takes the safety of our customers very seriously. We are proud C-MAX Hybrid has achieved a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety,” said Steve Kenner, global director, Ford Automotive Safety Office.
The IIHS has released three videos showing the C-Max's performance in the small overlap, moderate overlap and side impact tests.
Although its performance was far from perfect in the small overlap crash test procedure, the TSP rating is still positive news for the hybrid compact people mover, which has received heavy criticism since its introduction for its lofty fuel economy estimates. Over the last year, the fuel economy ratings for the C-Max have been recalculated twice from the 47 mpg city/highway/combined rating it had up its debut just two years ago. Last August, these estimates were reduced to 45 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 43 mpg combined before being dropped again back in June down to 40 mpg city, 42 mpg highway and 37 mpg combined.
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