The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has recognized the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV with a Top Safety Pick award when outfitted with optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.

The small car was put through the paces and earned good ratings in a series of five challenging crashworthiness tests. These included the driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests.

In addition, and for the first time, the Bolt also underwent the passenger-side small overlap crash test, earning an acceptable rating from institute engineers.

However, in order to claim Top Safety Pick status, a vehicle must score an advanced or superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention and a good or acceptable headlight rating.

When it comes to crash prevention, the all-electric Bolt aced the evaluation, garnering a superior rating. Its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system avoided collisions in track tests at both 12 and 25 mph.

As for headlights, the small car made big strides since its last evaluation by institute engineers.

The 2017 Bolt received a poor headlight rating, but General Motors reported that the headlight aim had been adjusted during the 2018 model year to reduce glare.

This latest test confirmed that the glare issue has been solved, and the modified headlights earn an acceptable rating — giving the Bolt the final element needed for Top Safety Pick status. The new rating applies to all 2019 models and 2018 models built after March 2018.