List of models scoring well in new safety test

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Seven new midsize cars and SUVs from the 2013 and 2014 model years earned "superior" ratings in a new test of high-tech safety features designed to prevent front-end crashes.

Another six got "advanced" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, while 25 received "basic" ratings. Another 36 got no ratings because they either didn't have the features or their systems didn't meet the institute's standards.

Those receiving ratings had either forward collision alert systems, which warn drivers of a possible crash, or automatic braking, which can stop a car if a collision is pending. The highest-rated cars generally had both:

These vehicles got superior ratings:

Cadillac ATS and SRX, Subaru Legacy and Outback, Mercedes C-Class and Volvo S60 and XC60.

These cars and SUVs received advanced ratings:

Acura MDX, Audi A4 and Q5, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Lexus ES, Mazda 6.

These vehicles received basic ratings:

Acura ZDX; BMW 3 series, X3; Chevrolet Equinox and Malibu; Dodge Durango; Ford Edge, Explorer, Flex, Fusion; GMC Terrain, Honda Accord and Crosstour; Infiniti Q50, QX50, QX60, QX70; Jeep Cherokee, Lexus IS and RX; Lincoln MKT, MKX, MKZ; Mercedes GLK, M-Class.