2010 IIHS Top Safety Picks

Below is a list of 27 vehicles that are in the runnings to win a IIHS 2010 Top Safety Pick. Last year the list of potential award winners contained 94 vehicles. The reduction in 2/3 of last year’s list is thanks to heightened roof strength test standards.

The new roof collision standards push a metal plate against one side of the roof at a constant speed. A good rating means that the roof withstood four times the vehicle’s weight without crushing more than five inches.

So as firefighters, we can safely assume that if we run on a MVA that has an occupant entrapped in one of these 2010 vehicles there is some major UHSS and Boron reinforcements in the pillars and the roof.

The new roof collision standards push a metal plate against one side of the roof at a constant speed. A good rating means that the roof withstood four times the vehicle’s weight without crushing more than five inches.

Award winners

Large cars

• Buick LaCrosse
• Ford Taurus
• Lincoln MKS
• Volvo S80

Midsize cars

• Audi A3
• Chevrolet Malibu (built after October 2009)
• Chrysler Sebring sedan (with optional electronic stability control)
• Dodge Avenger (with optional electronic stability control)
• Mercedes C-Class
• Subaru Legacy
• Subaru Outback
• Volkswagen Jetta sedan
• Volkswagen Passat sedan
• Volvo C30

Small cars

• Honda Civic sedan (except Si) (with optional electronic stability control)
• 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 torso airbags)
• Subaru Forester
• Volkswagen Tiguan