Safest Rated Cars of 2010 | Auto Insurance Center

To determine crashworthiness — how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a crash — 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.

LARGE CARS

Buick LaCrosse

Ford Taurus

Lincoln MKS

Volvo S80

SMALL CARS

Honda Civic
4-door models (except Si)
with optional ESC

Kia Soul

Nissan Cube

Scion xB

Subaru Impreza
(except WRX)

Toyota Corolla

Volkswagen Golf
4-door models

MIDSIZE CARS

Audi A3

Chevrolet Malibu
built after November 2009

Chrysler Sebring
4-door models with optional ESC

Dodge Avenger
with optional ESC

Hyundai Sonata
2011 models

Mercedes C class

Subaru Legacy

Subaru Outback

Volkswagen Jetta sedan

Volkswagen Passat sedan

Volvo C30
2010-11 models

MIDSIZE SUVs

Dodge Journey

Subaru Tribeca

Volvo XC60

Volvo XC90

SMALL SUVs

Honda Element

Jeep Patriot
with optional side torso airbags

Subaru Forester

Volkswagen