2014 Dodge Dart, Dodge Avenger, and Chrysler 200 — have achieved Top Safety Pick ratings from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS)

Three Chrysler Group cars — the 2014 Dodge Dart, Dodge Avenger, and Chrysler 200 — have achieved Top Safety Pick ratings from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). This is the sixth time the IIHS has commended the Avenger and 200 mid-size sedans, and the third they have  hailed the Dart.

citrus-dartAll three cars have significant advanced-technology steel content, which enhances structural integrity. The Dart’s 68% content ratio of high-strength steel is among the highest in the industry, and also helps Dart to gain a five-star safety rating from the Federal government.  The Dart has also 10 standard airbags, unsurpassed in its segment.

To be an IIHS Top Safety Pick, a car must achieve a rating of “good” in the moderate-overlap frontal crash, side impact test, roof strength test, and whiplash test, and must rate “acceptable” or better in the IIHS’ new small-overlap front crashworthiness evaluation.

All available safety features on the Avenger and 200 sedans are standard, including supplemental side-curtain airbags for front and rear outboard occupants.

Only 39 vehicles, all together, were given the Top Safety Pick rating, down from 130 last year, due to tougher standards. The insurance-company-funded IIHS crash-tests around 80 vehicles per year, and now gives extra points to frontal crash avoidance systems (available in Dart and Chrysler’s large cars).

Honda had six winners, including two Acuras; Volvo and Toyota each had three (plus one Scion). GM’s only listed car was the Korean Chevrolet Spark. Toyota’s win for Camry was especially important to the company, since Consumer Reports is putting Camry back onto its “recommended” list as a result.  Overall, Chrysler’s showing was fairly impressive; the results for the 2015 model year may be different, as  the 200 is being replaced and Avenger will reportedly be dropped.

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