Dec 30th, 2010 by Dean Hightower
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released its Top Safety Picks for 2011. Each year, the IIHS tests new cars in front and side high-speed crashes, a rollover crash and evaluates the seat and head restraints for protection of the head and neck in rear impact crashes. Vehicles that earn a “good” rating, the institute’s highest rating, in all four tests are given the Top Safety Pick honor.
The IIHS 2011 Top Safety Picks are not only the safest cars to buy for 2011, but they may be less expensive to insure than other cars. The IIHS is run by insurance companies, so the vehicles given Top Safety Pick status may come with lower insurance rates because drivers and passengers are less likely to be injured, saving insurance companies money.
The IIHS Top Safety Picks for 2011 are:
LARGE CARS
Buick LaCrosse
Buick Regal
BMW 5-Series (except 4-wheel drive and V8)
Cadillac CTS sedan
Ford Taurus
Hyundai Genesis
Infiniti M37/M56 (except M56x 4-wheel drive)
Lincoln MKS
Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe and sedan
Toyota Avalon
Volvo S80
SMALL CARS
Chevrolet Cruze (shown above)
Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional ESC
Kia Forte sedan
Kia Soul
Mitsubishi Lancer sedan (except 4-wheel drive)
Nissan Cube
Scion tC
Scion xB
Subaru Impreza (except WRX)
Toyota Corolla
Volkswagen Golf 4-door models
Volkswagen GTI 4-door models
MINICARS
Ford Fiesta built after July 2010
MIDSIZE CARS
Audi A3
Audi A4 sedan
Chevrolet Malibu
Chrysler 200 4-door models
Dodge Avenger
Ford Fusion
Hyundai Sonata
Kia Optima
Lincoln MKZ
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Volkswagen Jetta sedan and SportWagen
Volvo C30
MINIVAN
Toyota Sienna
LARGE SUV
Volkswagen Touareg
MIDSIZE SUVs
Audi Q5
Cadillac SRX
Chevrolet Equinox
Dodge Journey
Ford Explorer
Ford Flex
GMC Terrain
Hyundai Santa Fe
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sorento built after March 2010
Lexus RX
Lincoln MKT
Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Venza
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC90
SMALL SUVs
Honda Element
Hyundai Tucson
Jeep Patriot with optional side torso airbags
Kia Sportage
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan
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Don't forget to factor insurance costs into your research. Get accurate insurance rate information on any vehicle and shop for the best deal.
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