The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety added a new test for roof strength to its Top Safety Pick award requirements, so it takes more time to test every new car. As the institute continues to test new vehicles, new Top Safety Picks are named.
Today, IIHS announced nine new picks all from the 2010 model year, including some brands’ top sellers.
Ford did well with the Fusion sedan and its twins, the Lincoln MKZ and soon-to-be-put-to-pasture Mercury Milan, getting the nod. The large three-row crossover Ford Flex and its Lincoln MKT twin also earned the award.
The Audi A4 sedan and Q5 SUV joined the company’s smaller A3 as award winners. The Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen is the fourth VW, and the Hyundai Tucson became the third Hyundai to get the Top Safety Pick nod.
For those keeping score, Ford now has seven vehicles that have earned the award. Toyota and Lexus have six, Subaru and Chrysler five, GM and Volvo four, Kia three, Honda two, Mercedes-Benz two and Nissan one.
David Thomas
Former managing editor David Thomas has a thing for wagons and owns a 2010 Subaru Outback and a 2005 Volkswagen Passat wagon.