Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S Receive IIHS Top Safety Pick Scores

• Sporty Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S named IIHS Top Safety Picks
• Both models earned excellent scores in IIHS crash tests
• BRZ and FR-S have also earned a 5-star overall NHTSA crash safety rating

The sporty Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S have officially earned Top Safety Pick scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). That's the latest from IIHS, which awarded the Top Safety Pick distinction after the BRZ and FR-S earned strong scores in the nonprofit group's crash tests.

According to IIHS, the BRZ and FR-S earned the group's top score -- Good -- in four crash tests: moderate front overlap (which simulates a 40 miles per hour collision with a barrier), side impact (which simulates a side impact with an SUV), roof crush (which tests roof strength) and head restraints (which examines likelihood of injury in a rear crash).

In addition to those strong performances, the BRZ and FR-S also earned an Acceptable rating in IIHS's small front-overlap test. That test, which simulates an impact with a pole or tree on a car's driver's side, has proven difficult for many new cars. While the Acceptable score earned by the BRZ and FR-S isn't as good as IIHS's top Good rating, it's still better than the Marginal or Poor rating earned by several other new models.

Although the most recent IIHS tests prove that the FR-S and BRZ demonstrate excellent crash-test capabilities, the cars still fell short of IIHS's top safety rating (Top Safety Pick+). In order to get the "+" distinction, a car must score highly in each of IIHS's tests and offer a frontal crash-alert or crash-prevention system. Since the BRZ and FR-S don't have such a system, they weren't eligible for the higher rating.

Interestingly, the latest IIHS tests aren't the first time that the BRZ and FR-S have proved their safety capabilities. Earlier this year, the federal government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the cars a 5-star overall rating, comprised of four stars in the group's front-impact test and five stars in the side-impact and rollover assessments.

What it means to you: Even though you'll probably buy a Subaru BRZ or Scion FR-S for their sporty character, the two cars also offer excellent safety ratings.