Subaru Top Safety Picks

Subaru’s latest Outback SUV and Legacy sedan, which don’t arrive in New Zealand until early next year, have gained the highest possible safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in North America. The IIHS is a non-profit organization supported by automobile insurers in the United States. It has awarded the highest standard of safety, the 2014 TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) along with the highest possible rating of "Superior" for front crash prevention to the all-new 2015 Subaru Legacy and Outback, equipped with Subaru's latest version of its EyeSight driving assist system. The EyeSight-equipped Legacy and Outback earned 6 out of 6 points for front crash prevention.

Including the 2015 Subaru Legacy and Outback, Subaru has seven models that have earned 2014 safety awards from IIHS – four with TOP SAFETY PICK and three with TOP SAFETY PICK+. The Forester, Impreza, BRZ, WRX STI and XV models also have the top safety rating and Subaru has more 2014 IIHS Top Safety Picks than any other motor manufacturer.

EyeSight was the first system ever to use stereo camera technology to detect objects such as vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists in front of a Subaru. Since its Japanese debut in May 2008, features available on this system have been highly praised; they included pre-collision braking control and all-speed range adaptive cruise control. The new EyeSight incorporates fully revamped stereo cameras that increase viewing angle and range by approximately 40% to further improve preventative safety and driver load-reduction features.

To win TOP SAFETY PICK, a vehicle must have "Good" ratings in all four tests of high-speed front and side crash tests, a rollover test, and evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. In addition, "Good" or "Acceptable" performance in a small overlap front test introduced in 2012 is also required. The 2015 Legacy and Outback earned the highest possible rating of "Good" in all five IIHS evaluations for occupant protection. The same level of performance in those tests, along with a "Basic", "Advanced" or "Superior" rating for front crash prevention, is required for the higher accolade, TOP SAFETY PICK+.

For further information, please contact Subaru of New Zealand public relations - John Coker at (09) 296 0115; (021) 537 250 or email coker.jd@xtra.co.nz or visit the website at http://www.subaru.co.nz