VIDEO: Mini Cooper Countryman Excels in IIHS Crash Test

The Chevrolet Volt has earned a 2014 Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 

IIHS recently evaluated 12 small vehicles for crashworthiness, after subjecting them to a small overlap front crash test. The Volt was the only car in the test group to be named a Top Safety Pick+ because of its optional forward collision warning system. But the Mini Cooper Countryman was the only car to earn a “good” overall rating because of its crash test performance. 

The Mini Cooper Countryman, Ford C-Max Hybrid, Mitsubishi Lancer, and the Scion FR-S and its twin the Subaru BRZ all qualified for Top Safety Pick, the institute's second-highest award. These models missed the "plus" award because they don't have an available front crash prevention system.

To qualify for Top Safety Pick+, a vehicle must draw a “good” or “acceptable” rating for small overlap protection; a “good” rating in the institute's other four tests; and a “basic,” “advanced,” or “superior” rating for front crash prevention. To qualify for Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn a “good” or “acceptable” rating for small overlap protection and a “good” rating in the other four tests. 

The Mini Cooper Countryman drew a "good" overall rating. Five cars – the Chevrolet Volt, Ford C-Max Hybrid, Mitsubishi Lancer, Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ – registered an “acceptable” overall score. Two vehicles – the Scion xB and Hyundai Veloster – were given a “marginal” overall score. The Fiat 500L, Nissan JUKE, Nissan LEAF and Mazda 5 each drew an overall score of “poor."

For more test result details, click here. To watch an IIHS video on the test results, click on the photo or link below the headline.