2014 Subaru BRZ Achieves 2014 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK Status

Subaru is the only manufacturer with IIHS TOP SAFETY PICKs for all models for five consecutive years (2010-2014). Subaru has more 2014 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICKs than any other brand. The 2014 Subaru BRZ earns an acceptable rating in the Institute's challenging front small overlap test.

MISSISSAUGA, ON -- July 30, 2014: Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) is thrilled to announce that its rear-wheel-drive sports coupe, the 2014 Subaru BRZ, today joined the brand's ranks of awarded vehicles, earning an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK. With the addition of the BRZ (models manufactured after December 2013), Subaru now has seven models that have netted 2014 safety awards from the IIHS - four with TOP SAFETY PICK and three with TOP SAFETY PICK+. The Subaru Legacy, Outback and Forester with optional EyeSight earned the IIHS' highest possible standard of safety, the TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, while the Impreza, XV Crosstrek and 2015 WRX STI line received TOP SAFETY PICK award ratings for 2014.

The 2014 Subaru BRZ earns the TOP SAFETY PICK award for acceptable performance in a small overlap crash, the Institute's latest round of crashworthiness evaluations. The Institute introduced the small overlap evaluation in 2012, but this is the first time the IIHS has rated the BRZ. In the test, 25 percent of a vehicle's front end on the driver's side strikes a rigid barrier at 40 mph. The crash replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object such as a tree or utility pole. The test is more difficult than either the head-on crashes conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (safercar.gov) or the longstanding IIHS moderate overlap test. In the small overlap test, the main structures of the vehicle's front-end crush zone are bypassed, making it hard for the vehicle to manage crash energy. The occupant compartment can collapse as a result.

The BRZ also earned good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests. To qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK, a vehicle must earn a good or acceptable rating for small overlap protection and a good rating in the other four tests.

"Consumers in the market for a small car now have six models to consider on our list of 2014 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award winners, and an additional 13 that earn TOP SAFETY PICK," said Joe Nolan, IIHS senior vice president for vehicle research. "Consumers trading the inherent safety of a larger vehicle for the convenience or fuel economy of a small car should focus their search on these vehicles with state-of-the-art safety designs."

"I'm pleased that Subaru is recognized as having more IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK vehicles than any other brand," said Shiro Ohta, chairman, president and CEO of Subaru Canada, Inc. "Subaru is the only manufacturer to have TOP SAFETY PICKs for all models for five years running. This achievement is a testament to the importance we place on safety as we aim to inspire confidence and peace of mind."