Autoblog

2010 Top Safety Picks announced by IIHS, new roof strength rule shakes things up

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has once again announced the winners of its Top Safety Pick award - all 27 of them. This time out, 19 cars and eight SUVs made the all-important grade. To break it down a bit for you, Subaru is the only make to earn top marks in each of the classes in which it competes (four), winning a total of five awards. Ford and Volvo combined to take home six Top Safety Pick awards (the most of any automaker), VW/Audi comes away with five and Chrysler gets four. Added to this year's safe list in the small car segment are also two new competitors, the Nissan Cube and Kia Soul.

New for 2010 are more stringent rollover standards used in the evaluations by the IIHS, a tweak which is apparently responsible for keeping Toyota, the world's biggest automaker in terms of sales, from receiving a single award - even though last year, between Toyota, Lexus and Scion there were eleven winners. BMW, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Saab were also absent from the list for the same reason, as the was the Ford Fusion. The Toyota Camry, meanwhile, didn't make the cut because of a marginal rear crash rating. All 27 winners - and a full press release - can be found after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 IIHS Top Safety Picks

[Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

Continue reading 2010 Top Safety Picks announced by IIHS, new roof strength rule shakes things up

2010 Top Safety Picks announced by IIHS, new roof strength rule shakes things up originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda3, Dodge Journey net IIHS Top Safety Pick ratings

Michael Harley — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named its latest three Top Safety Pick award winners. The models include the 2010 Dodge Journey, 2010 Lincoln MKT, and Mazda's 2010 Mazda3. All three are equipped with standard side airbags. Stability control is standard on the Dodge and Lincoln, but optional on the Mazda.

Unlike the 35 mph head-on barrier crash testing conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and its resulting 1- to 5-star ratings, the IIHS frontal test runs the driver's side of a vehicle into a deformable barrier at 40 mph and then assigns one of four ratings (Good, Acceptable, Marginal or Poor) based on occupant injury, vehicle structure integrity, and the movement of the crash dummy within the cabin. In order to earn a Top Safety Pick award, the vehicles must earn the highest ("Good") rating in the agency's frontal, side, and rear impact testing... and be equipped with electronic stability control. The IIHS tests vehicles and announces its Top Safety Picks throughout the year.

[Source: IIHS]

Mazda3, Dodge Journey net IIHS Top Safety Pick ratings originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz R-Class, Lincoln MKZ earn IIHS Top Safety Pick

Michael Harley — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Sedan, Safety, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz

2010 Lincoln MKZ - Click above for a high-res image gallery

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently tested the Mercedes-Benz R-Class and Lincoln MKZ, and both have earned the agency's Top Safety Pick rating for 2009. The 2009 Mercedes-Benz R-Class did very well in the frontal offset and side impact tests with "Good" ratings in both tests (models manufactured after 9/2008 with the standard side airbags). The 2010 Lincoln MKZ also performed admirably, earning "Good" ratings in both tests as well (models manufactured after 1/2007). In rear crash tests done by the IIHS, the Mercedes and Lincoln each received "Good" ratings. While the IIHS smashed both of the vehicles offset into a barrier at 40 mph, and hit each with a 3,300-pound side impact barrier moving at 31 mph, the agency's new roof strength crash testing has not been conducted on either model. See the short press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Lincoln MKZ

[Source: IIHS]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz R-Class, Lincoln MKZ earn IIHS Top Safety Pick

Mercedes-Benz R-Class, Lincoln MKZ earn IIHS Top Safety Pick originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 May 2009 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IIHS crashes eight SUVs, four earn Top Safety Picks

John Neff — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:33:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Safety

Click above for high-res gallery of each crash test

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released complete crash test scores today for eight SUVs including the 2009 Ford Escape, 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2008 Nissan Rogue, 2009 VW Tiguan, 2008 Chevy Equinox/Pontiac Torrent, 2008 Jeep Wrangler 2-door, the Jeep Patriot and the Suzuki Grand Vitara. When we say complete crash tests, we mean the IIHS performed front, side and rear crash tests on all eight SUVs.

Each vehicle was given an overall rating of good, acceptable, marginal or poor, and the Escape, Outlander, Rogue and Tiguan earned good ratings in all three tests and, since they each come with electronic stability control as standard equipment, were also named Top Safety Picks by the IIHS. The rest of the group received either acceptable or marginal ratings in some tests, though the worst performing was the Jeep Wrangler 2-door. While the Jeep did earn a good rating in the frontal crash test, its side crash test was rated as poor, the lowest rating possible.

Automakers with SUVs that earned Top Safety Pick awards will now be touting their achievements from the rooftops. Ford has already started, noting in a press release that the Escape tops Toyota and Honda in combined safety and fuel efficiency ratings. Other automakers, meanwhile, are trying to explain away why their vehicles didn't perform as well in the IIHS tests. General Motors issued a press release noting that the Equinox and Torrent earned 5-stars in the NHTSA tests and that the IIHS side crash test is a "single and very sever test."

Follow the jump for the press release from the IIHS that explains their testing procedures and goes further into why each vehicle earned the ratings it did.

Gallery: IIHS SUV Crash Tests

[Source: IIHS]

Continue reading IIHS crashes eight SUVs, four earn Top Safety Picks

IIHS crashes eight SUVs, four earn Top Safety Picks originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acura TSX named Top Safety Pick by IIHS

Michael Harley — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Acura

Click on the image above for pics of our uncrashed 2009 Acura TSX

The all-new 2009 Acura TSX was recently crashed into a barrier at 40 mph, and smacked with a side sled at 31 mph, by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). While the last model (2005-2008 with side airbags) scored "good" in frontal, and "acceptable" in side impact testing, the 2009 model received the highest scores ("good") in both tests. When combined with the improved rear crash test results (seat and head restraint design), the new TSX earned the Institutes's "Top Safety Pick" rating.

While our caps are off to Acura, we think it is time to revise all crash test standards (IIHS and NHTSA). Each time the results are released, we can't help but think that the automakers have learned how to ace the tests over the years. Let's bump up the speed in the barrier and sled tests (maybe throw a random angle in there to make things challenging?), and focus more on dynamic safety. As always, this team prefers to avoid the accidents in the first place.

Gallery: Autoblog Garage: 2009 Acura TSX

[Source: IIHS]

Acura TSX named Top Safety Pick by IIHS originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac CTS earns IIHS' Top Safety Pick

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Cadillac

The new Cadillac CTS has been snatching up awards and garnering praise since its launch last year, and now its got another trophy to place on its shelf. After the IIHS wrapped up its battery of batterings, the CTS joined the Institute's list of Top Safety Picks for 2008. Cadillac's entry-level sports sedan is sitting at the table with the Volvo S80, Saab 9-3, Audi A4 and A6 as another vehicle to receive the highest rating issued by the Institute after enduring front, side and rear crash tests, along with being equipped with electronic stability control.

The IIHS' full press release is posted after the jump.

Continue reading Cadillac CTS earns IIHS' Top Safety Pick

Cadillac CTS earns IIHS' Top Safety Pick originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IIHS hearts Ford Taurus X, Top Safety Pick awarded

Alex Nunez — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:34:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Safety, Crossover, Ford

Click image for photo gallery

With Ford's new safety-centric campaign for the Taurus underway, it's looking like we should probably get ready for the Oval to stay on-message regarding erstwhile Freestyle as well. After all, the Ford Taurus X wagon crossover equaled its sedan brother's five-star ratings in NHTSA crash testing, and today comes word from the automaker that the Taurus X has received a sloppy, wet smooch from the IIHS as well after the car earned the organization's Top Safety Pick label. The Taurus X scored a "Good" rating (that's the highest one it can receive) in the IIHS's crash test regimen, something that the automaker's sure to tout when it advertises the refreshed and renamed family truckster.

Ford's PR is pasted after the jump.

[Sources: Ford, IIHS]

Gallery: 2008 Ford Taurus X

Continue reading IIHS hearts Ford Taurus X, Top Safety Pick awarded

IIHS hearts Ford Taurus X, Top Safety Pick awarded originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford earns two IIHS Top Safety Picks for Edge and MKX

John Neff — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Crossover, Ford

The Ford Edge is off to a strong start in sales, at least stronger than the Fusion's first full month of sales, and word has come from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that the CUV and its platform mate, the Lincoln MKX, has earned a Top Safety Pick, which should help move a few more units. Not only must a vehicle earn a top crash test rating of "good" for front, side and rear crash tests to become a Top Safety Pick, but this year the guidelines were further beefed up to mandate that honorees also offer Electronic Stability Control.

The Ford Fusion, meanwhile, didn't come close to earning a Top Safety Pick last year when 2006 models and pre-production 2007 were tested, but Ford asked the IIHS to test the car again after a few changes were made including side airbags becoming standard equipment and alterations to the door trim and floorpan. This time the Fusion earned a "good" rating for both front and side impacts, but only earned a marginal rating for rear impacts. Since ESC isn't even an option on the Fusion, a Top Safety Pick was out of the question anyway. The same front impact rating also apply to the Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ, but the MKZ won't share the same side impact rating since it uses different door trim than the other two models. .

[Source: IIHS]

Ford earns two IIHS Top Safety Picks for Edge and MKX originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Feb 2007 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IIHS releases 2007 Top Safety Pick Awards; not a domestic to be found

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has announced the recipients of its Top Safety Pick awards for 2007, a prize that's highly revered by those brands whose vehicles earn the honor. 13 vehicles made the cut this year, including four cars, seven SUVs and two minivans (see full list below). This year the IIHS has made the requirements for a Top Safety Pick higher than ever, as in addition to achieving a good rating on front, side and rear impact crash tests, winners also have to offer electronic stability control, at least as an option. A few vehicles, like the Ford Five-Hundred and Mercury Montego, would have made the list had ESC been offered even as an option. That's an important point, as not one single domestic earned a Top Safety Pick award this year. The insistence that ESC be at least an option also contributed to the lack of any small cars on the list. By 2012, the requirment of offering ESC shouldn't be an issue, as the NHTSA has mandated that stability control be standard on al vehicles by then.

No trucks are tested for the award because the Institute says it hasn't yet begun to evalute their side crashworthiness, but SUVs were considered for the first time this year and obviously fared well. Honda/Acura and Subaru had the most winners overall, with three Top Safety Pick awards going to each company. Many other brands, including some domestics, came up just short, whether on account of ESC not being offered or the lack of good seat/head restraints. Toyota, for instance, would have had nine (!) Top Safety Pick winners if only its vehicles had better seat/head restraints.

Check out the IIHS full press release after the jump.

[Source: IIHS]

Continue reading IIHS releases 2007 Top Safety Pick Awards; not a domestic to be found

IIHS releases 2007 Top Safety Pick Awards; not a domestic to be found originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Nov 2006 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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