2011 Buick Regal Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick

The 2011 Buick Regal has received the Top Safety Pick designation in the large-car category by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

To earn the award, a vehicle must receive the top rating of Good in front, side, rear and rollover crash tests. The vehicle also must have electronic stability control, which is standard on the Buick Regal.

Measurements taken from the dummies used during the Regal’s testing show a low risk of significant injury in a 40-mph frontal offset crash. During side impact testing (pictured above), rib fractures would be possible for the driver and there is a low risk of any significant injury for the rear passenger in the type of simulated crash performed during IIHS’ testing.

The Buick Regal is the seventh vehicle from GM to earn a Top Safety Pick award since the Institute implemented a tough roof-strength requirement to test vehicle rollover safety.

To pass IIHS’ roof-strength test, a vehicle’s roof must be able to withstand the force of four times the vehicle’s weight. The Buick Regal can withstand 4.97 times its own weight.

The 2010-2011 Buick LaCrosse has earned a Top Safety Pick award. The 2008-10 Buick Enclave was also a Top Safety pick, but that was before the roof-strength test and the Institute has not tested the crossover in that category. The 2006-10 Buick Lucerne has a Good rating in the frontal crash test but Acceptable in side impact. It has not been tested for rollover strength.

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