The Stephen J. Knox Blog

Top Safety Picks 2010
To determine crashworthiness — how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a crash — the Institute rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor based on performance in high-speed front and side crash tests, a rollover test, plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. To earn Top Safety Pick for 2010 a vehicle must have good ratings in all four Institute tests. In addition, the winning vehicles must offer electronic stability control. See past winners

LARGE CARS
Buick LaCrosse
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Volvo S80

SMALL CARS
Honda Civic4-door models (except Si)with optional ESC
Kia Soul
Nissan Cube
Subaru Impreza(except WRX)
Volkswagen Golf4-door models
MIDSIZE CARS
Audi A3
Chevrolet Malibubuilt after November 2009
Chrysler Sebring4-door models with optional ESC
Dodge Avengerwith optional ESC
Mercedes C class
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Volkswagen Jetta sedan
Volkswagen Passat sedan
Volvo C30

MIDSIZE SUVs
Dodge Journey
Subaru Tribeca
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC90

SMALL SUVs
Honda Element
Jeep Patriotwith optional side torso airbags
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan

posted by Steve Knox at 7:51 AM