The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released the lineup of 2014 model-year passenger vehicles that will be tested as part of the agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings Program.

In addition, the agency unveiled updated advertising guidelines for vehicle manufacturers, dealers and advertising agencies.

"Safety is our highest priority, and we're always working to ensure consumers have the information they need to buy safe and drive safe," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "With today's announcement, we are continuing to provide consumers with valuable information through our world-renowned 5-star rating program so they can make more-informed car buying decisions.” 

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings Program allows consumers to search crash test ratings and make informed purchasing decisions. Each vehicle tested can receive safety ratings in frontal crash, side crash and rollover resistance tests. Vehicles also receive an overall vehicle rating. One star represents the lowest score, while five stars represents the highest.

The program also highlights advanced crash-avoidance technologies, such as lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and rearview video systems, which manufacturers are voluntarily installing in vehicles to help prevent crashes.

The updated guidelines now explicitly state that ratings are always whole numbers and that NHTSA does not award a rating higher than 5 stars. Manufacturers or advertising agencies, NHTSA said, should not advertise ratings with decimal points or ratings over 5 stars, and advertisers who claim more than 5 stars are misleading the public. 

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The guidelines also clarify that advanced technologies are not part of the star ratings. Advertisements that do not conform to these guidelines may result in "buyer alert" warnings, removal from the ratings program or referral to other federal or state authorities for appropriate action, NHTSA said.

NHTSA plans to rate approximately 87 percent of 2014 model-year vehicles sold in the U.S. for frontal and side crash protection, and 92 percent for rollover resistance. A number of 2014 model-year vehicles had carry-over designs from the previous model year or have already been tested, and these ratings are already available on www.SaferCar.gov.

NHTSA will test 48 vehicles for the 2014 model year, including 22 passenger cars, 18 sport utility vehicles, five pickups and three vans.

As the vehicles are tested, consumers can access ratings at www.SaferCar.gov and through NHTSA's SaferCar app – available for iPhone and iPod Touch devices. The agency plans to release a version of the app that is compatible with Android devices in early 2014.

Model Year 2014 Vehicles Selected for the 5-Star Safety Rating Tests

PASSENGER CARS

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PICKUP TRUCKS

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SPORTS UTILITY VEHICLES & VANS

Model Year 2014 Vehicles Equipped with LDW and/or FCW

Selected for Confirmation Testing

PASSENGER CARS

SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUPS, & VANS

KEY: PU – Pickup, EC – Extended Cab, CC – Crew Cab, DR – Door, HB – Hatchback, SUV – Sport Utility Vehicle, SW – Station Wagon