2007 Safest Cars from IIHS

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released its Top Safety Pick 2007 today and the new Acura and Ford models scored highest rating in front, side, and rear crash tests. According to the IISH news release, the ranking is determined based on the combination of performance and design:

The Institute rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor based on performance in high-speed front and side crash tests plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. The first requirement for a vehicle to become a Top Safety Pick is to earn good ratings in all three Institute tests.

In evaluating the vehicle’s safty, the IIHS also noticed that carmakers are adjusting their designs in order to earn the rewards. For example, the IIHS now requires electronic stability control (ESC) to be equipped (even optional) for the vehicle to be ranked. The 2008 Ford Taurus was selected over the 2006 winner Ford Five Hundred because the Five Hundred doesn’t offer. The following is a list of winners in five categories tested:

Large car

• Audi A6
• 2008 Ford Taurus
• 2008 Mercury Sable

Midsize cars

• Audi A4
• Saab 9-3
• Subaru Legacy

Minivans

• Hyundai Entourage
• Kia Sedona

Midsize SUVs

• Acura MDX
• Acura RDX
• Ford Edge
• Honda Pilot
• Lincoln MKX
• Mercedes M class
• Subaru B9 Tribeca
• Volvo XC90

Small SUVs

• Honda CR-V
• Subaru Forester

We have a 2005 Honda Odyssey and we bought the car mainly because of its reputation in reliability and safty. However, I am a little disappointed to find out the it wasn’t included in this list and the Comsumer Report’s reliable car list in the minivan category.

Source: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Photo: Edmunds.com

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