After adding structural improvements, the 2017-model-year Kia Forte has joined the ranks of Top Safety Pick+ winners, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said.

The Forte qualifies for the leading IIHS honor when the compact car is equipped with an optional front crash prevention system.

The 2017 Kia Forte has longer side-curtain air bags than earlier models. In addition, Forte cars built after March feature a strengthened structure at the door hinge pillar and the doorsill.

Thanks to these changes, Fortes built after March earned the highest rating of “good” in the small overlap test, IIHS said. This test represents a crash in which the left front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or with an object such as a tree or utility pole.

In the test of the Forte, the driver’s space was maintained well, with maximum intrusion of 3 inches at the footrest, according to IIHS. The dummy’s movement was well controlled, and measures from the dummy indicated a low risk of injuries in a crash of this severity. Earlier models drew a rating of “marginal,” taking into account intrusion reaching 8 inches at the lower hinge pillar. In addition, the dummy’s head contacted the instrument panel, and the side curtain air bag failed to provide enough forward coverage, IIHS said.

To qualify for the 2017 Top Safety Pick award, a vehicle must garner the highest rating of “good” in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests and must have an available front crash prevention system that earns an “advanced” or “superior” rating. The “plus” is awarded to vehicles that meet those criteria and also have headlights that draw a “good” or an “acceptable” rating.

The Forte’s optional front crash prevention system, new for 2017, earned a “superior” rating. The vehicle avoided collisions in IIHS track tests at 12 and 25 mph, the institute said. The system also includes a forward collision-warning component that meets criteria from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Forte cars built after July 2016 that are equipped with the Premium Plus package on the EX trim line drew a “good” IIHS rating for headlights. But Fortes without the Premium Plus package, as well as those with the package but built before August 2016, have headlights that IIHS rated as “poor” and don't qualify for the award.