Crash-Test Ratings

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 2010. The winning vehicles afford the best protection in front, side and rear crashes, based on IIHS tests. For the 2010 model year, IIHS has added a new crash test — a roof-strength test — which is two times more stringent than the one the federal government mandates. The addition of the roof-strength test greatly reduced the number of vehicles selected as Top Safety Picks for 2010. Winners also have to be equipped with electronic stability control.

For complete crash-test ratings, visit www.iihs.org.

IIHS Top Safety Picks
Click on the image or model name to read its Cars.com report. All vehicles are 2010 models unless otherwise noted.
Compact Cars
Audi A3
Honda Civic 4-door with electronic stability control; excludes Si
Kia Soul
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Nissan Cube
Subaru Impreza excludes WRX
Volkswagen Golf 4-door
Volkswagen Jetta sedan
Volvo C30
Midsize Cars
Buick LaCrosse
Chevrolet Malibu built after October 2009
Chrysler Sebring 4-door with electronic stability control
Dodge Avenger with electronic stability control
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Volkswagen Passat sedan
Full-Size Cars
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Volvo S80
Compact SUVs
Honda Element
Jeep Patriot with seat-mounted side airbags
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan
Volvo XC60
Compact SUVs
Dodge Journey
Subaru Tribeca
Volvo XC90
Source: IIHS