THE PERFORMANCE: Only two of 13 small SUVs performed well in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s front-end crash tests.

THE MODELS: The 2014 Subaru Forester earned the IIHS’ highest rating of “good” in tests that simulate a collision with a tree or utility pole. The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport got the next-highest rating of “acceptable.” The Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Buick Encore, Jeep Patriot and Ford Escape all got “poor” ratings. The BMW X1, Nissan Rogue, Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, Volkswagen Tiguan and Jeep Wrangler two-door received “marginal” ratings.