The safest cars for 2011 have been chosen by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an independent nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to reducing the incidents on American highways.
Eighteen of the 66 winners of the newest IIHS Top Safety Pick award come from Hyundai and Volkswagen; with nine winning models each, the two manufacturers topped the list.
IIHS instituted tougher standards for 2010; the institute added roof strength to its criteria, testing protection in rollover crashes. Only 27 models from 2010 were initially able to pass the new test.
“In just a year, automakers have more than doubled the number of vehicles that meet the criteria for Top Safety Pick,” Institute president Adrian Lund said in a press release.
Ten more models made the grade in 2011, while two were discontinued.
“That gives consumers shopping for a safer new car or SUV—from economy to luxury models—plenty of choices to consider in most dealer showrooms,” Lund continued. “In fact, every major automaker has at least one winning model this year.”
Rear crash protection, seat and head restraints, front and side evaluations were all added into consideration along with roof strength. Based on incident tests and ratings, IIHS´s list helps consumers to choose cars that offer the highest level of protection.
Eighteen of the 66 winners of the newest IIHS Top Safety Pick award come from Hyundai and Volkswagen; with nine winning models each, the two manufacturers topped the list.
IIHS instituted tougher standards for 2010; the institute added roof strength to its criteria, testing protection in rollover crashes. Only 27 models from 2010 were initially able to pass the new test.
“In just a year, automakers have more than doubled the number of vehicles that meet the criteria for Top Safety Pick,” Institute president Adrian Lund said in a press release.
Ten more models made the grade in 2011, while two were discontinued.
“That gives consumers shopping for a safer new car or SUV—from economy to luxury models—plenty of choices to consider in most dealer showrooms,” Lund continued. “In fact, every major automaker has at least one winning model this year.”
Rear crash protection, seat and head restraints, front and side evaluations were all added into consideration along with roof strength. Based on incident tests and ratings, IIHS´s list helps consumers to choose cars that offer the highest level of protection.
Here’s a full list of the 2011 Top Safety Picks:
| Large Cars | Midsize Cars |
| Buick LaCrosse | Audi A3 |
| Buick Regal | Audi A4 sedan |
| BMW 5 series (except 4-wheel drive and V8) | Chevrolet Malibu |
| Cadillac CTS sedan | Chrysler 200 4-door |
| Ford Taurus | Dodge Avenger |
| Hyundai Genesis | Ford Fusion |
| Infiniti M37/M56 (except M56x 4-wheel drive) | Hyundai Sonata |
| Lincoln MKS | Kia Optima |
| Mercedes E class coupe | Lincoln MKZ |
| Mercedes E class sedan | Mercedes C class |
| Toyota Avalon | Subaru Legacy |
| Volvo S80 | Subaru Outback |
| Volkswagen Jetta sedan | |
| Small Cars | Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen |
| Chevrolet Cruze | Volvo C30 |
| Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control | Minicar |
| Kia Forte sedan | Ford Fiesta sedan and hatchback |
| Kia Soul | (built after July 2010) |
| Mitsubishi Lancer sedan (except 4-wheel drive) | |
| Nissan Cube | Midsize SUVs |
| Scion tC | Audi Q5 |
| Scion xB | Cadillac SRX |
| Subaru Impreza sedan and hatchback (except WRX) | Chevrolet Equinox |
| Toyota Corolla | Dodge Journey |
| Volkswagen Golf 4-door | Ford Explorer |
| Volkswagen GTI 4-door | Ford Flex |
| GMC Terrain | |
| Minivan | Hyundai Santa Fe |
| Toyota Sienna | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
| Kia Sorento (built after March 2010) | |
| Small SUVs | Lexus RX |
| Honda Element | Lincoln MKT |
| Hyundai Tucson | Mercedes GLK |
| Jeep Patriot (with optional side torso airbags) | Subaru Tribeca |
| Kia Sportage | Toyota Highlander |
| Subaru Forester | Toyota Venza |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | Volvo XC60 |
| Volvo XC90 | |
| Large SUV | |
| Volkswagen Touareg |
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