2010 Safest Cars: IIHS Top Safety Picks

The number of vehicles designated as Top Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) dropped by a third in 2010, largely because of tougher testing standards, including a newly instituted roof-crush test. In conjunction with the roof test, the IIHS conducts high-speed front and side crash tests, a rollover test, and test of seat/head restraints to protect against neck injuries such as whiplash.

The IIHS, a nonprofit organization funded by auto insurers, rates tested vehicles as Good, Acceptable, Marginal or Poor. In order to earn the 2010 Top Safety Pick designation, a vehicle must have good ratings in all four tests and be equipped with electronic stability control. The IIHS ratings should not be confused with the federal government tests that result in "star" ratings.

For 2010, Subaru, Volkswagen and Volvo make strong crashworthiness showings, whereas Audi, traditionally a high performer across the board, appears only in the midsize category. Some automakers that earned a Top Safety Pick rating last year do not have a winning vehicle for 2010, including Mazda and Saab.

More information on vehicle safety can be found in Edmunds Car Safety Guide.

Below is the complete list of 2010 Top Safety Picks as chosen by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)*:

Large Cars

• 
  2010 Buick LaCrosse
• 
  2011 Buick LaCrosse
• 
  2011 BMW 5 Series
• 
  2011 Cadillac CTS Sedan

• 
  2010 Ford Taurus
• 
  2010 Hyundai Genesis
  (built after January
  2010)
• 
  2010 Lincoln MKS
• 
  2011 Infiniti M37

• 
  2011 Infiniti M56
• 
  2010 Mercedes-Benz
  E-Class (sedans built
  after April 2010)
• 
  2011 Toyota Avalon
• 
  2010 Volvo S80

Midsize Cars

• 
  2010 Audi A3
• 
  2010 Audi A4
• 
  2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  (built after November
  2009)
• 
  2011 Chevrolet Malibu
  (built after November
  2009)

• 
  2010 Chrysler Sebring
  (with optional electronic stability control)
• 
  2010 Dodge Avenger
  (with optional electronic stability control)
• 
  2010 Ford Fusion
  (built after April 2010)
• 
  2011 Hyundai Sonata

• 
  2010 Lincoln MKZ
  (built after April 2010)
• 
  2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
• 
  2010 Mercury Milan
  (built after April 2010)
• 
  2010 Subaru Legacy

• 
  2010 Subaru Outback
• 
  2010 Volkswagen Jetta
• 
  2010 Volkswagen Passat Sedan
• 
  2010 Volvo C30

• 
  2011 Volvo C30

Small Cars

• 
  2010 Honda Civic
  (4-door models with
  optional electronic
  stability control, except Si)
• 
  2010 Kia Forte
  (built after October 2009)
• 
  2010 Kia Soul
• 
  2010 Mitsubishi Lancer

• 
  2010 Nissan Cube
• 
  2010 Scion xB
• 
  2011 Scion xB
• 
  2010 Subaru Impreza
  (except WRX)

• 
  2010 Toyota Corolla
• 
  2010 Volkswagen Golf Sedan

MINICARS

• 
  2011 Ford Fiesta

Midsize SUVs

• 
  2010 Audi Q5
• 
  2010 Cadillac SRX
  (built after May 2010)
• 
  2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  (built after March 2010)
• 
  2010 Dodge Journey

• 
  2010 GMC Terrain
  (built after March 2010)
• 
  2010 Ford Flex
  (built after January 2010)
• 
  2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 
  2011 Kia Sorento
  (built after March 2010)

• 
  2010 Lexus RX 350
• 
  2010 Lincoln MKT
  (built after March 2010)
• 
  2010 Subaru Tribeca
• 
  2010 Toyota Highlander

• 
  2010 Toyota Venza
• 
  2010 Volvo XC60
  (built after November 2009)
• 
  2010 Volvo XC90

Small SUVs

• 
  2010 Honda Element
• 
  2010 Hyundai Tucson
• 
  2010 Jeep Patriot
  (with optional side torso airbags)
• 
  2011 Kia Sportage

• 
  2010 Subaru Forester
• 
  2010 Volkswagen Tiguan

Minivans

• 
  2011 Toyota Sienna

* NOTE: Winning vehicles are chosen by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Edmunds.com editorial staff.