Subaru Leads the Industry with 7 2019 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Awards

• Eight Subaru models earn high marks from IIHS, including seven Top Safety Pick+ winners when equipped with EyeSight and specific headlights.
• Subaru Legacy earns yet another Top Safety Pick+ rating, making it the longest running award winner in its class for 14 years in a row (2006-2019).
• Subaru Forester extends its record as the longest running Top Safety Pick winner in the small SUV class with 13 consecutive wins (2007-2019).

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 21, 2018 /CNW/ - Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) is proud to announce that eight of its vehicles earned high marks once again from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), including seven Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) designations for 2019.

The 2019 Impreza (sedan and 5-door), Legacy, Crosstrek, Outback, Ascent and WRX models each earned TSP+ awards from the IIHS when equipped with EyeSight driver assist technology and LED steering-responsive headlights. Additionally, 2019 Forester received the Top Safety Pick (TSP) award when equipped with EyeSight, extending the popular SUV's win streak to 13 years, making it the longest-standing winner in its segment.

Also extending win streaks in their respective segments are the 2019 Impreza, Crosstrek and Outback. Impreza earned the TSP+ award to become an award-winner for 12 consecutive years (2008-2019), while Outback became a TSP+ winner for the seventh straight year (2013-2019). Crosstrek, meanwhile, claimed its eighth consecutive victory for the TSP award (2012-2019), amounting to each year it has been on the market.

Also earning the TSP+ designation was the Subaru WRX sports sedan, as well as the all-new Ascent three-row SUV. Making its presence felt in more ways than one, the largest Subaru ever built earned the TSP+ rating in its first model year on the market thanks in part to its standard EyeSight driver assist system and when equipped with specific headlights.

First introduced in Canada on select 2013 model-year vehicles, Subaru EyeSight driver assist technology reduces the rate of rear-end crashes with injuries by up to 85 per cent* and pedestrian-related injuries by up to 35 per cent.** (*Based on IIHS reporting data as of January 2017 from MY2013-2015 Subaru models equipped with EyeSight through 2014. **Based on IIHS reporting data as of December 2017 from MY2013-2017 Subaru models equipped with EyeSight through 2017.)

"As our brand continues to grow and evolve to meet the needs of customers, our commitment to safety is second to none," said SCI chairman, president and CEO Yasushi Enami. "From long-standing Subaru models — and long-time Top Safety Pick award-winners — like the Legacy and Forester to new additions such as the all-new Ascent, we continue to prioritize the safety of not just Subaru drivers, but all road users."

To qualify for 2019 Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, as well as an acceptable or good rating in the passenger-side small overlap front test.  It also must earn an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention and an acceptable or good headlight rating.

To qualify for 2019 Top Safety Pick+, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests. It also must earn an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention and a good headlight rating.

About Subaru Canada, Inc.

Subaru Canada, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of 93 authorized dealers across Canada. For more information, please visit www.subaru.ca or www.pr.subaru.ca or follow @SubaruCanada on Twitter.

SOURCE Subaru Canada Inc.

Julie Lychak, PR Manager, [phone], [email protected]; Dan Ilika, PR Specialist, [phone], [email protected]; Sebastien Lajoie, PR Specialist, Quebec Region, [phone], [email protected]