The 2013 Honda Civic has become the first compact car to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) rating.

To qualify for the 2013 TSP+ award, vehicles must earn good ratings for occupant protection in at least 4 of 5 evaluations and no less than acceptable in the fifth test. The evaluations include frontal and side impact tests, rear seat based impact test, roof strength test and the latest small overlap frontal impact test.

According to Chuck Thomas, Honda's chief engineer in charge of collision safety, Honda took the opportunity to make some changes to the car's structure alongside with the facelift. Specifically, the 2013 Civic gets higher-strength materials to reinforce the cabin space together with some additional components in the structure and engine compartment. Although the styling of the latest Civic may appear too 'tame' to some, there is no doubt that it is one safe sedan for your family.

Joining the Civic in receiving the coveted TSP+ rating include the 2013 Volvo XC60, Lincoln MKZ and the all new Mazda 6.