Fiat has taken another encouraging step towards its goal of re-conquering the US markets. Ironically so, it is not the performance not its styling which made the cut but its safety. The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Security) chose the 500L as its Top Safety Pick. Not only this, the Chrysler Group got another big break. Their Jeep Cherokee was also named with the Fiat as the Top Safety Pick 2013 with over 14 Chrysler Group vehicles commended in the last 10 months.
The Top Safety Pick testing is a comprehensive exercise which simulates a side impact, front moderate-overlap impact, roof-crush consistent with a rollover, and a rear collision capable of inducing whiplash. The Fiat 500L recorded the highest possible rating of ‘Good’ in all of these tests. The Institute stated that the 500L showed a “low risk of any significant injuries” for the impact tests.
The 2014 Jeep Cherokee and 2014 Fiat 500L both include a number of advanced airbags, including multistage airbags that inflate depending on the severity of the impact and side-curtain airbags that protect occupants from colliding with each other during a crash. Driver’s knee airbags on both cars provide added airbag protection for the lower body. Both models also utilize high-strength steel structures to minimize vehicle crush and protect the occupants inside the cabin.
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So far, three other Chrysler vehicles, the Dodge Dart, Avenger, and Chrysler 200 have also received the Top Safety Pick + designation as well as the highest safety score awarded by the IIHS.
