The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does not test all cars. Like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, IIHS concentrates its crash tests on the highest-volume vehicles.
This table represents the vehicles IIHS selected as Top Safety Picks for 2011. The winning vehicles afford the best protection in front, side, rollover and rear crashes, based on IIHS tests. For the 2010 model year, IIHS added a new crash test — a roof-strength test. The addition of the roof-strength test greatly reduced the initial number of vehicles selected as Top Safety Picks. A number of vehicles were added as manufacturers reworked existing designs and introduced new models. Winners also have to be equipped with electronic stability control. For complete crash-test ratings, visit www.iihs.org.
Compact Cars
Audi A3
Audi A4 – sedan
Chevrolet Cruze
Ford Fiesta – sedan and hatchback models built after July 2010
Honda Civic – sedan with electronic stability control; excludes Si
Kia Forte – sedan
Kia Soul
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mitsubishi Lancer – excludes four-wheel-drive models
Nissan Cube
Scion tC
Scion xB
Subaru Impreza – excludes WRX
Toyota Corolla
Volkswagen GTI – four-door models
Volkswagen Golf – four-door models
Volkswagen Jetta
Volvo C30
Midsize Cars
BMW 528/535/550 – excludes four-wheel-drive models and V8
Buick LaCrosse
Buick Regal
Cadillac CTS – sedan
Chevrolet Malibu
Chrysler 200 ? four-door models
Dodge Avenger
Ford Fusion
Hyundai Sonata
Kia Optima
Lincoln MKZ
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Full-Size Cars
Chrysler 300
Dodge Charger
Ford Taurus
Hyundai Equus
Hyundai Genesis
Infiniti M37/M56 ? excludes M56x four-wheel-drive models
Lincoln MKS
Toyota Avalon
Volvo S80
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Compact SUVs
Audi Q5
Honda Element
Hyundai Tucson
Jeep Patriot – with side torso airbags
Kia Sportage
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan
Volvo XC60
Midsize SUVs
Cadillac SRX
Chevrolet Equinox
Dodge Journey
Ford Explorer
GMC Terrain
Hyundai Santa Fe
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sorento – built after March 2010
Lexus RX 350
Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Venza
Volkswagen Touareg
Volvo XC90
Full-Size SUVs
Ford Flex
Lincoln MKT
Minivans
Toyota Sienna