IIHS Announces 2007 Top Safety Picks; No American Models
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced its list of Top Safety Picks for 2007 this morning. Among the winners are two Audis, three Subarus, two Hondas, and one model each from Acura, Mercedes, Saab and Volvo. Absent are any models by American automakers or Japanese behemoth Toyota. The standards for the award this year are a bit tougher than in the past, but something to strive for. Not only must vehicles score top safety ratings in front, side and rear crash tests, they also must be equipped with electronic stability control.
There was also a runners-up list, which included cars that met all the requirements except the top rear crash-test score; and plenty of Toyotas made that list — yet still no American models. Both lists can be found below.
Winners
Large car
- Audi A6 – manufactured in Dec. 2006 and later
Midsize cars
- Audi A4
- Saab 9-3
- Subaru Legacy – equipped with optional electronic stability control
Minivans
- Hyundai Entourage
- Kia Sedona
Luxury SUVs
- Mercedes M class
- Volvo XC90
Midsize SUVs
- Acura RDX
- Honda Pilot
- Subaru B9 Tribeca
Small SUVs
- Honda CR-V
- Subaru Forester – equipped with optional electronic stability control
Also-Rans
These vehicles would have won if their seat/head restraints also
had earned good ratings.
Acceptable rear protection
- Audi A3
- BMW 3-series 4dr
- Lexus IS 250/350
Marginal rear protection
- Acura TL
- Honda Odyssey
- Lexus ES 350
- Lexus GS 350
- Toyota Camry
- Toyota FJ Cruiser
- Toyota Prius
- Toyota RAV4
Poor rear protection
- Honda Accord 4dr
- Infiniti M35
- Nissan Quest
- Toyota Avalon
