Vehicle safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are based on performance in high-speed front and side crash tests as well as evaluations of seat and head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impact crashes. To become an IIHS Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn good ratings in all three IIHS tests, as well as offer electronic stability control. This requirement is based on research indicating that electronic stability control significantly reduces crash risk, especially the risk single-vehicle crashes which end in fatalities, by assisting the motorist in maintaining control during emergency driving situations.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates vehicles in the following categories:

Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor

How safe is the new vehicle your driving?  Did it make the list? Let’s take a look at the Top Safety Award Winners of 2008 which have been stamped with the IIHS seal of approval. 

The Top Safety Award Winners of 2008:

Large Cars

• Audi A6
• Acura RL 2009 models
• Cadillac CTS
• Ford Taurus with optional electronic stability control
• Lincoln MKS 2009 models
• Mercury Sable with optional electronic stability control
• Volvo S80

Midsize Cars

• Acura TSX 2009 models
• Audi A3
• Audi A4
• Ford Fusion 2009 models with optional electronic stability control
• Honda Accord 4-door models
• Mercury Milan 2009 models with optional electronic stability control
• Saab 9-3
• Subaru Legacy with optional electronic stability control
• Volkswagen Jetta 2009 models
• Volkswagen Passat 2009 models

Midsize Convertibles

• Saab 9-3
• Volkswagen Eos 2009 models
• Volvo C70

Small Cars

• Honda Civic 2009 models with optional electronic stability control
• Mitsubishi Lancer 2009 models with optional electronic stability control
• Scion xB 2008-09 models
• Subaru Impreza with optional electronic stability control
• Volkswagen Rabbit 2009 models

Minivans

• Honda Odyssey
• Hyundai Entourage
• Kia Sedona

Large SUVs

• Audi Q7
• Buick Enclave 2008-09 models
• Chevrolet Traverse 2009 models
• GMC Acadia 2008-09 models
• Saturn Outlook 2008-09 models

Midsize SUVs

• Acura MDX
• Acura RDX
• BMW X3
• BMW X5
• Ford Edge
• Ford Flex 2009 models
• Ford Taurus X
• Honda Pilot 2008-09 models
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Hyundai Veracruz
• Infiniti EX35
• Lincoln MKX
• Mercedes M class 2008-09 models
• Nissan Murano 2009 models
• Saturn VUE built after December 2007
• Subaru Tribeca
• Toyota Highlander
• Volvo XC90

Small SUVs

• Ford Escape 2009 models
• Honda CR-V
• Honda Element
• Mazda Tribute 2009 models
• Mercury Mariner 2009 models
• Mitsubishi Outlander
• Nissan Rogue 2008-09 models
• Subaru Forester 2008-09 models
• Volkswagen Tiguan 2009 models

Large Pickup

• Toyota Tundra

Small Pickup

• Toyota Tacoma 2009 models

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