Late last month, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced the 2013 Top Safety Pick+ and Top Safety Pick honorees, its top award for vehicle safety. 13 vehicles were dubbed a Top Safety Pick+ and 117 vehicles were named a Top Safety Pick.

Earning a Top Safety Pick+ is not an easy task. In order to earn a Top Safety Pick+, the vehicle has to receive good ratings for occupant protection in a minimum of 4 out of the 5 evaluations which include a moderate overlap frontal crash, small overlap frontal crash, side impact, and rollover as well as evaluations that measure how effectively seat/head restraints prevent neck injuries. If they receive 4 “good” ratings, the fifth evaluation must earn at least an “acceptable” rating. To earn a Top Safety Pick, the vehicle has to receive good ratings on the moderate overlap frontal test, side impact, rollover, and rear tests.

Here are the 2013 Top Safety Pick+ honorees.

Acura TL
Dodge Avenger
Chrysler 200 sedan
Ford Fusion
Honda Accord coupe
Honda Accord sedan
Kia Optima
Nissan Altima sedan
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Suzuki Kizashi
Volkswagen Passat
Volvo S60

Click here see the additional 117 vehicles chosen as IIHS 2013 Top Safety Picks.

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