Once again, Ford, the automaker of the moment, has found something else to win.
Ford, Subaru and Volkswagen top the insurance industry's annual list of the safest new vehicles. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is giving its top safety pick today to 19 passenger cars and eight sport-utility vehicles for the 2010 model year, and Ford and its subsidiary Volvo received the most picks, six.
The institute substantially reduced the number of awards compared with 2009, because of tougher requirements for roof strength.
Japan's Subaru and Germany's Volkswagen and sister brand Audi came next on the list. But there were bits of good news for a lot of automakers, including General Motors and its new Buick LaCrosse. Here's the whole thing:
LARGE CARS
Buick LaCrosse
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Volvo S80
MIDSIZE CARS
Audi A3
Chevrolet Malibu (built after Oct. 2009)
Chrysler Sebring (four-door with optional ESC)
Dodge Avenger
Mercedes C-Class
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Volkswagen Jetta (four-door)
Volkswagen Passat (four-door)
Volvo C30
SMALL CARS
Honda Civic (four-door with optional ESC, except Si)
Kia Soul
Nissan Cube
Subaru Impreza (except WRX)
Volkswagen Golf (four-door)
MIDSIZE SUVs
Dodge Journey
Subaru Tribeca
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC90
SMALL SUVs
Honda Element
Jeep Patriot (with optional side thorax air bags)
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan
source: comtent.usatoday
