The 2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon has earned a five-star overall vehicle score – the highest possible -- from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Last year, the European version of the Transit Connect Wagon, known as the Tourneo Connect, earned a five-star rating from the European New Car Assessment Program.

The Transit Connect Wagon – available as a five-passenger or seven-passenger vehicle in North America – went on sale here earlier this year.

To qualify for the top overall score, the vehicle tallied five stars in the side crash test along with four stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests.

“Transit Connect Wagon gives people on the go a unique-looking, fuel-efficient vehicle that also provides a high level of safety,” said Steve Kenner, director of Ford’s global automotive safety office. “The suite of safety and driver-assist features available on Transit Connect makes it a great choice for families and businesses.”

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Transit Connect Wagon’s driver and passengers are protected by its body structure – more than half of which is built with high-strength and ultrahigh-strength steels, including 16 percent boron steel.

The vehicle features driver and passenger side airbags for front-row occupants, as well as side curtain airbags for all seating rows. Ford said it designed and engineered the Transit Connect Wagon to meet rigorous commercial vehicle durability standards – the equivalent of more than 3 million miles. This includes more than 250,000 miles of demanding on-road conditions.

The Transit Connect Wagon is available with a full complement of driver-assist and safety features. Available driver-assist features include a rear-view camera as well as forward- and rear-sensing systems. The rear-view camera shows what is behind the vehicle on a screen located in the center dash panel. The display’s guidelines and zoom feature help the driver align the vehicle, which is especially beneficial when towing.

At low speeds ultrasonic sensors in the rear bumper alert the driver to objects behind the vehicle, while front sensors warn of objects in front. The closer an object is to the vehicle, the faster the beeps sound, escalating to a constant tone.

Ford MyKey technology is also available for Transit Connect. MyKey can be programmed to limit top speed and audio volume, encourage safety belt use, and restrict incoming calls and texts to a paired cell phone. MyKey can serve as a useful tool for business owners to help them manage their fleet, Ford said.