August 14, 2020
, Camden, N.J.
-
2021 SUBARU ASCENT SUV EARNS IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ AWARD
2021 SUBARU ASCENT SUV EARNS IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ AWARD
- Earned highest safety award from IIHS
- Received a ‘Superior’ rating in front crash prevention
- Nine Subaru models have received 2020 IIHS safety awards
Subaru of America, Inc. announced that its full-size, 3-row 2021 Ascent SUV was named a 2020 TOP SAFETY PICK+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2021 Ascent earned the IIHS TSP+ award with the addition of Steering Responsive LED headlights with High Beam Assist as standard equipment.
The 2021 Ascent joins eight other Subaru models in receiving an IIHS award this year.
2020 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ Winners
2020 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK Winners
To earn a 2020 TOP SAFETY PICK+ or TOP SAFETY PICK award, vehicles must earn ‘Good’ ratings in each of IIHS’s six crashworthiness evaluations: driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests.
In addition, vehicles must also earn ‘Good’ or ‘Acceptable’ headlight ratings and offer available front crash prevention that earns ‘Advanced or ‘Superior’ ratings in both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations. Ascent comes standard with Subaru EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, which includes automatic emergency braking, and it earns the ‘Superior’ rating for both evaluations. The Subaru models that have won the IIHS award are equipped with EyeSight.
The requirement to achieve a ‘Good’ rating for the passenger-side small overlap front collision was new for both IIHS awards starting in 2020. The small overlap tests are designed to replicate what happens when just the front corner of the vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object such as a tree or utility pole.
For 2020, IIHS had incorporated pedestrian crash prevention ratings into its TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards for the first time. Subaru and other automakers have made a voluntary commitment to make automatic emergency braking standard on virtually all their models by 2022. This voluntary commitment calls only for systems that help avoid crashes with other vehicles, but with its EyeSight technology, Subaru is among some that have also committed to include vehicle-to-pedestrian safety functionality.
Such technology, IIHS has determined, could help reduce rising pedestrian fatalities, which have increased 53 percent since reaching a low point in 2009. More than 6,000 pedestrians were killed in crashes in 2018.
“Subaru supports IIHS efforts that spur the industry to achieve higher levels of vehicle safety and occupant protection,” says Thomas J. Doll, President and CEO, Subaru of America, Inc. “We view the IIHS awards as validation for our efforts to continually innovate safety features for our customers.”
For the full list of current IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ winners, visit the IIHS website.
The 2021 Ascent joins eight other Subaru models in receiving an IIHS award this year.
2020 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ Winners
- 2020 Crosstrek Hybrid
- 2020 Forester
- 2020 Legacy
- 2020 Outback
2020 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK Winners
- 2021 Crosstrek (with EyeSight® and specific headlights)
- 2020 Impreza sedan and five-door (with EyeSight® and specific headlights)
- 2020 WRX (with EyeSight® and specific headlights)
To earn a 2020 TOP SAFETY PICK+ or TOP SAFETY PICK award, vehicles must earn ‘Good’ ratings in each of IIHS’s six crashworthiness evaluations: driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests.
In addition, vehicles must also earn ‘Good’ or ‘Acceptable’ headlight ratings and offer available front crash prevention that earns ‘Advanced or ‘Superior’ ratings in both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations. Ascent comes standard with Subaru EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, which includes automatic emergency braking, and it earns the ‘Superior’ rating for both evaluations. The Subaru models that have won the IIHS award are equipped with EyeSight.
The requirement to achieve a ‘Good’ rating for the passenger-side small overlap front collision was new for both IIHS awards starting in 2020. The small overlap tests are designed to replicate what happens when just the front corner of the vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object such as a tree or utility pole.
For 2020, IIHS had incorporated pedestrian crash prevention ratings into its TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards for the first time. Subaru and other automakers have made a voluntary commitment to make automatic emergency braking standard on virtually all their models by 2022. This voluntary commitment calls only for systems that help avoid crashes with other vehicles, but with its EyeSight technology, Subaru is among some that have also committed to include vehicle-to-pedestrian safety functionality.
Such technology, IIHS has determined, could help reduce rising pedestrian fatalities, which have increased 53 percent since reaching a low point in 2009. More than 6,000 pedestrians were killed in crashes in 2018.
“Subaru supports IIHS efforts that spur the industry to achieve higher levels of vehicle safety and occupant protection,” says Thomas J. Doll, President and CEO, Subaru of America, Inc. “We view the IIHS awards as validation for our efforts to continually innovate safety features for our customers.”
For the full list of current IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ winners, visit the IIHS website.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $320 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 100,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company® and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $320 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 100,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company® and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.