The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives its highest rating, which is five shining stars, to the 2013 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid for their excellent performance in its New Car Assessment Program.

High safety ratings are a big selling point for family cars these days, and Fusion can now add that to the list of all the other good things that make it a no-brainer for those looking for a handsome, affordable, safe and well-equipped family sedan.

The Fusion benefits from a range of advanced safety features including the Personal Safety System, new safety belt technologies and a total of eight airbags. It even has redesigned seat-mounted side airbags that deploy lower in the pelvis area in addition to the chest. Side impact protection features are another plus point the helper with the five-star rating.

Other driver assist technologies available on the Fusion include: Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Rearview Camera, Hill Start Assist, and Electronic Parking Brake.