That + is what makes the difference between a really safe car and an average one based on the IIHS' crash test procedures. Fitted with the available Forward Collision Alert system, the 2014 Chevrolet Volt was the only model to earn the Top Safety Pick+ award out of the 12 cars tested by the organization recently.
The electric-powered Chevrolet Volt with a gasoline range extender received an acceptable overall score in the challenging small overlap front crash test, earning four good ratings of the six categories monitored during the small overlap crash test.
To put those results into perspective, the Nissan Leaf was also tested, earning a poor overall rating 'cause significant intrusion left little survival space for the dummy, translating to a high risk of knee and leg injuries. Nevertheless, a bit of redeeming news for the Nissan Leaf is that no issues with the batteries or electric systems were seen after the Volt and Leaf crash tests.
Poor performers were the Mazda 5, Nissan Juke, Fiat 500L, while the Scion xB and Hyundai Veloster got a marginal overall rating. Apart from the 2014 Chevrolet Volt, the rest of the top performers in this latest round of safety crash tests are the Mini Cooper Countryman, Ford C-Max Hybrid, Mitsubishi Lancer, Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ. However, these models haven't got the + award because they can't be fitted with a front crash prevention system.
Speaking about the 2014 Chevrolet Volt IIHS small overall crash test results, General Motors' senior vice president for vehicle research Joe Nolan declared that "GM should be commended for the Volt’s performance in the small overlap front test because this car was designed before that challenging test was introduced."
Jeff Boyer, vice president of GM Global Vehicle Safety added: "These outstanding results demonstrate our commitment to the highest levels of safety performance in our vehicles. Achieving the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ is a key endorsement which is valued by our customers.”
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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