Talking About Automobiles

Each year, we get to see a new set of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick. Last year, there were 13 vehicles that qualified and for this year, a significant improvement has happened. The number has more than doubled at 34 models.

The award is granted to vehicles that provide protection to people from front, side, and rear crashes. Being equipped with electronic stability control (ESC) is a significant factor to qualify, taking into account its capacity to reduce the risk of crashing. According to Institute president Adrian Lund, “Vehicles should be designed to provide good occupant protection when crashes occur, but now with ESC we have the possibility of preventing many crashes altogether… If all vehicles were equipped with ESC, as many as 10,000 fatal crashes could be avoided each year.”

Lund said, “For 2008, consumers have the wildest selection of vehicles they’ve ever had that afford the best protection in the most common kinds of crashes.” Front and side impacts are the most common kinds of fatal crashes. Rear-end crashes are usually not considered fatal, but they cause large proportion of the injuries that occur in crashes.

Based on an article featured in theautochannel.com, the following are the 2008 top safest vehicles:

Large cars

• Audi A6
• Ford Taurus with optional electronic stability control
• Mercury Sable with optional electronic stability control
• Volvo S80

Midsize cars

• Audi A3, A4
• Honda Accord
• Saab 9-3
• Subaru Legacy with optional electronic stability control

Midsize convertibles

• Saab 9-3
• Volvo C70

Small car

• Subaru Impreza with optional electronic stability control

Minivans

• Honda Odyssey
• Hyundai Entourage
• Kia Sedona

Midsize SUVs

• Acura MDX, RDX
• BMW X3, X5
• Ford Edge, Taurus X
• Honda Pilot
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Hyundai Veracruz built after August 2007
• Lincoln MKX
• Mercedes M class
• Saturn VUE built after December 2007
• Subaru Tribeca
• Toyota Highlander
• Volvo XC90

Small SUVs

• Honda CR-V, Element
• Subaru Forester with optional electronic stability control
• Large pickup
• Toyota Tundra

So far, twenty-three vehicles earn good ratings in front and side crash tests. They have SC, standard or optional. They would have been included in the list as 2008 Top Safety Pick winners if their seat/head restraints also earned good ratings:

• Acura RL, TL
• BMW 3 series
• hrysler Sebring convertible
• Infiniti M35/M45
• Kia Amanti
• Lexus IS 250/350, ES 350, GS 350/460
• Nissan Pathfinder, Xterra both with optional side airbags
• Nissan Quest
• Toyota Avalon, Camry, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, Prius, RAV4, and Sienna
• Volkswagen Eos, Jetta, Passat, Rabb

If you intend to purchase a new car, consider picking one in the list. You may check out this site for more of the details.