According to recent articles, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has tested several models of vehicles and the results of these safety tests are now in.

The reports show that the agency has added a new test to the battery of crash and safety testings the vehicles are subject to. On top of the traditional crash tests, the agency has added a small overlap test, which is a collision test involving a front-corner collision with an object or other vehicle.

Reports indicate that the vehicles that earned the best ratings, which are classified as “good” by the agency include the Dodge Avenger, Chrysler 200 sedan, Acura TL, Ford Fusion, Kia Optima, Honda Accord coupe, Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Volkswagen Passat, Suzuki Kizashi and Volvo S60.

These vehicles obtained “good” ratings in small overlap frontal crash tests, moderate overlap front crash, side impact, rollover incidents and overall evaluation of seat and head restraints. According to the agency, “good” ratings are the top safety ratings any vehicle can achieve.

Hopefully, automakers will continue to work hard to develop safer and more efficient vehicles in the near future.

For the entire article, click here to read more on the safest vehicles for 2013.