Road Reality » awards http://www.road-reality.com Chronicling the Ever-Changing Automotive Industry Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:00:27 +0000 en hourly 1 The Safest Cars in America: IIHS Top Safety Picks for 2010 http://www.road-reality.com/2009/11/19/the-safest-cars-in-america-iihs-top-safety-picks-for-2010/ http://www.road-reality.com/2009/11/19/the-safest-cars-in-america-iihs-top-safety-picks-for-2010/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:45 +0000 roadreality http://roadreality.wordpress.com/?p=313
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick: 2011 Sonata
  • Consumer Reports’ Top Picks for 2010
  • Recall: 2010 Subaru Tribeca
    • ]]>     Since 2006, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests each car model for sale in the United States in several crash scenarios.  They run them into walls, barriers, other cars, poles, all the major accident types.  Speeds range from 5 mph to 40 mph, and all of the results are analyzed and finally tallied.  The vehicles which earn “good” ratings in each of the 4 tests are added to the “Top Safety Picks” list for that model year.  This year, the IIHS added a “roof stability” test, which pushes a metal plate at a constant speed into one half of the roof of a vehicle.  How well the car sustains this crushing force determines its score.

    With this new test, recent winners such as Toyota, BMW and Mazda were left out in the cold.  Chrysler modified its seats and head rests in order to garner better crash ratings for its vehicles, as did GM to get its Malibu on the list.  Read on after the list to see how each manufacturer did.

    Winners:

    Large cars
    Buick LaCrosse
    Ford Taurus
    Lincoln MKS
    Volvo S80

    Midsize cars
    Audi A3
    Chevrolet Malibu built after October 2009
    Chrysler Sebring 4-door with optional electronic stability control
    Dodge Avenger with optional electronic stability control
    Mercedes C class
    Subaru Legacy
    Subaru Outback
    Volkswagen Jetta sedan
    Volkswagen Passat sedan
    Volvo C30

    Small cars
    Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
    Kia Soul
    Nissan Cube
    Subaru Impreza except WRX
    Volkswagen Golf 4-door

    Midsize SUVs
    Dodge Journey
    Subaru Tribeca
    Volvo XC60
    Volvo XC90

    Small SUVs
    Honda Element
    Jeep Patriot with optional side torso airbags
    Subaru Forester
    Volkswagen Tiguan

    Now, here’s a breakdown of the manufacturers who won, and how many winners they have on the list:

    By John Suit

    Source: IIHS

    Share

    Related posts:

    1. IIHS Top Safety Pick: 2011 Sonata
    2. Consumer Reports’ Top Picks for 2010
    3. Recall: 2010 Subaru Tribeca

    ]]>     http://www.road-reality.com/2009/11/19/the-safest-cars-in-america-iihs-top-safety-picks-for-2010/feed/ 0