(October 5, 2012) The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has announced that four 2013 model year vehicles have earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick award. Gaining the top safety designation are the Lexus ES, a midsize luxury car; the Hyundai Santa Fe, a midsize SUV; and the Subaru XV Crosstrek and Dodge Dart, both small cars.

They have earned the Institute's top award for good performance in moderate overlap frontal, side, rollover and rear impact evaluations.

The redesigned Lexus ES models, the ES 350 with a V6 gasoline powered engine and the ES 300h hybrid, outperform the outgoing ES 350 model that earned only a marginal rating in the rear test.

The Santa Fe was also redesigned for the 2013 model year and joins the previous generation model as a Top Safety Pick award winner.

Subaru's XV Crosstrek is new for 2013 and a twin to the Subaru Impreza, also a Top Safety Pick. The Crosstrek will only be offered in the wagon body style.

The Dodge Dart is a new model introduced for 2013.