2014 Fiat 500L Joins Top Safety Pick Roster

Becoming the 14th Chrysler Group product to do so in the past 10 months, the 2014 Fiat 500L recently earned a Top Safety Pick recognition from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Now, to be clear here, the 2014 Fiat 500L has yet to undergo the Institute's new small frontal-overlap test, required for an enhanced Top Safety Pick+ honor, but the versatile and stylish hatchback did ace all four of the traditional IIHS tests, including those for moderate frontal-overlap scenarios, side-/rear-impact situations, and roof strength in rollover incidents.

In securing the honor, the brand singled out two major advantages of the 2014 Fiat 500L: Its array of seven advanced multi-stage airbags and an energy-management system that boasts plenty of high-strength steel as well as strategically placed crumple zones to help limit the amount of crash force transmitted to the cabin.

Plus, it also offers a responsive 160-hp MultiAir turbo engine, fuel-economy marks of up to 33 mpg highway, an MSRP of $19,100, and 42 percent more cabin space than its stablemate, the 2014 Fiat 500. Or, as noted by Jason Stoicevich, head of Fiat Brand for North America, Chrysler Group LLC: "The all-new 2014 Fiat 500L blends Italian style, a loft-like interior, great value and advanced safety features such as reactive head restraints and seven standard air bags, making it a unique proposition in the marketplace.”

As for the rest of the Chrysler Group's safety standouts for the current model year, the current honor roll of Top Safety Picks from the automaker features: 

• 2013 Fiat 500
• 2013 Chrysler 200, 300 and Town & Country
• 2013 Dodge Dart, Avenger, Charger, Grand Caravan and Journey; 2014 Dodge Durango
• 2014 Jeep Patriot and Grand Cherokee; 2014 Jeep Cherokee

And remember, the Dart, Avenger and 200 are, in fact, among the elite performers with Top Safety Pick+ awards on their resumes.