Safest Cars on the Road: Is Yours on the List?
Safety tests are getting tougher, but more cars are passing them nonetheless. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety this week released its full list of "Top Safety Picks." The number of vehicles that passed its safety tests was more than twice as many as last year. Following this trend, the federal government has also toughened its crash tests, reducing star ratings for some cars.
To get on the IIHS list, a vehicle must get top marks for front, side, rear, and rollover crashes. It also must have available electronic stability control -- a technology that helps prevent rollover when a car begins to 
slide. Last year, the IIHS, a private research organization funded by the insurance industry, added a tough requirement for roof strength. (Test pictured at left).That hurdle cut the 2010 list to 27 vehicles, but manufacturers have made changes to expand the list of qualifiers.
"This list gives consumers plenty of choices in shopping for a a safe new car or SUV," says Adrian Lund, President of the IIHS. "In fact, every major manufacturer has at least one winning model this year."
Subaru got top pick status for all five of its models (the company has had a good year overall in ratings, having been named mainstream brand with best resale value by Kelley Blue Book and Automotive Lease Guide.) The Hyundai Kia and Volkswagen Audi each had nine winners for their two brands, while General Motors, Ford/Lincoln, and Toyota/Lexus/Scion each had eight vehicles cited.
If you are shopping for a new car, minivan or SUV, here is the list of the top safety picks:
Large Cars
- Buick LaCrosse
- Buick Regal
- BMW 5 Series (except 4-wheel drive and V8)
- Cadillac CTS sedan
- Ford Taurus
- Hyundai Genesis
- Infiniti M37/M56 (except M56x 4-wheel drive)
- Lincoln MKS
- Mercedes E Class sedan
- Toyota Avalon
- Volvo S80
- Audi A3
- Audi A4 sedan
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Chrysler 200 4-door
- Dodge Avenger
- Ford Fusion
- Hyundai Sonata
- Lincoln MKZ
- Kia Optima
- Mercedes C class
- Subaru Legacy
- Subaru Outback
- Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
- Volkswagen Jetta Sedan
- Volvo C30
- Chevrolet Cruze
- Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
- Kia Forte sedan
- Kia Soul
- Mitsubishi Lancer (except 4-wheel drive)
- Nissan Cube
- Volkswagen GTI 4-door
- Volkswagen Golf 4-door
- Scion tC
- Ford Fiesta sedan and hatchback built after July 2010
- Toyota Sienna
- Volkswagen Touareg
- Audi Q5
- Cadillac SRX
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Dodge Journey
- Ford Flex
- Ford Explorer
- GMC Terrain
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Kia Sorento built after March 2010
- Lexus RX
- Mercedes GLK
- Lincoln MKT
- Subaru Tribeca
- Toyota Highlander
- Toyota Venza
- Volvo XC60
- Volvo XC90
- Honda Element
- Hyundai Tucson
- Jeep Patriot with optional side torso airbags
- Kia Sportage
- Subaru Forester
- Volkswagen Tiguan
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