2011 winners | 2010 winners | 2009 winners | 2008 winners | 2007 winners | 2006 winners
Criteria: The Institute rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor based on performance in high-speed front and side crash tests, a rollover test, plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. To earn Top Safety Pick for 2010 a vehicle must have good ratings in all four Institute tests. In addition, the winning vehicles must offer electronic stability control. This requirement is based on Institute research indicating that ESC significantly reduces crash risk, especially the risk of fatal single-vehicle crashes, by helping drivers maintain control of their vehicles during emergency maneuvers.
However, don't compare ratings across vehicle size groups because size and weight influence occupant protection in serious crashes. Larger, heavier vehicles generally afford more protection than smaller, lighter ones. Top Safety Picks are the best vehicle choices for safety within size categories, but this doesn't mean a small car that's a Top Safety Pick affords more protection than a bigger car that doesn't earn the award.
Note: Top Safety Picks 2011 are 2011 models, unless otherwise noted.
Large family cars
Buick LaCrosse
Buick Regal
Chrysler 300
Dodge Charger
Ford Taurus
Toyota Avalon
Large luxury cars
Audi A6 2012 models
BMW 5 series (except 4-wheel drive and V8)
Cadillac CTS sedan
Hyundai Equus
Hyundai Genesis
Infiniti M37/M56 (except M56x 4-wheel drive)
Lincoln MKS
Mercedes E class 2-door
Mercedes E class 4-door
Saab 9-5
Volvo S80
Midsize moderately priced cars
Audi A3
Chevrolet Malibu
Chrysler 200 4-door
Dodge Avenger
Ford Fusion
Hyundai Sonata
Kia Optima
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Volkswagen Jetta sedan
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
Volkswagen Passat 2012 models
Volvo C30
Midsize luxury/near luxury cars
Audi A4 sedan
Lincoln MKZ
Mercedes C class
Volkswagen CC (except 4-wheel drive)
Volvo S60
Small cars
Chevrolet Cruze
Chevrolet Sonic 2012 models
Chevrolet Volt
Ford Focus 2012 models
Honda Civic 4-door (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
Honda Civic 4-door 2012 models
Hyundai Elantra built after 3/11
Kia Forte sedan
Kia Soul
Lexus CT 200h
Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback built after 12/10
Mini Cooper Countryman
Mitsubishi Lancer (except Ralliart and Evolution models)
Nissan Cube
Nissan Juke
Nissan Leaf
Scion tC
Scion xB
Subaru Impreza sedan and wagon (except WRX)
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Prius built after 12/10
Volkswagen Golf 4-door
Volkswagen GTI 4-door
Minicars
Fiat 500 2012 models built after 7/11
Ford Fiesta sedan and hatchback built after 7/10
Minivans
Chrysler Town & Country 2012 models
Dodge Grand Caravan 2012 models
Honda Odyssey
Toyota Sienna
Volkswagen Routan 2012 models
Large SUVs
Buick Enclave built after 1/11
Chevrolet Traverse built after 1/11
GMC Acadia built after 1/11
Volkswagen Touareg
Midsize SUVs
Chevrolet Equinox
Dodge Durango built after 5/11
Dodge Journey
Ford Edge built after 2/11
Ford Explorer
Ford Flex
GMC Terrain
Hyundai Santa Fe
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sorento built after 3/10
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Venza
Midsize luxury SUVs
Audi Q5
Cadillac SRX
Infiniti EX35
Lexus RX
Lincoln MKT
Lincoln MKX built after 2/11
Mercedes GLK
Saab 9-4X
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC90
Small SUVs
Honda Element
Hyundai Tucson
Jeep Patriot with optional side torso airbags
Kia Sportage
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan
Large pickups
Ford F-150 crew cab models built after 2/11
Toyota Tundra crew cab models
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