IIHS Announces 2007 Top Safety Picks; No American Models

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced its list of Top Safety Picks for 2007 this morning. Among the winners are two Audis, three Subarus, two Hondas, and one model each from Acura, Mercedes, Saab and Volvo. Absent are any models by American automakers or Japanese behemoth Toyota. The standards for the award this year are a bit tougher than in the past, but something to strive for. Not only must vehicles score top safety ratings in front, side and rear crash tests, they also must be equipped with electronic stability control. 

There was also a runners-up list, which included cars that met all the requirements except the top rear crash-­test score; and plenty of Toyotas made that list — yet still no American models. Both lists can be found below.

Winners

Large car

• Audi A6 - manufactured in Dec. 2006 and later

Midsize cars

• Audi A4
• Saab 9-3
• Subaru Legacy - equipped with optional electronic stability control

Minivans

• Hyundai Entourage
• Kia Sedona

Luxury SUVs

• Mercedes M class
• Volvo XC90

Midsize SUVs

• Acura RDX
• Honda Pilot
• Subaru B9 Tribeca

Small SUVs

• Honda CR-V
• Subaru Forester - equipped with optional electronic stability control

Also-Rans

These vehicles would have won if their seat/head restraints also
had earned good ratings.

Acceptable rear protection

• Audi A3
• BMW 3-series 4dr
• Lexus IS 250/350

Marginal rear protection

• Acura TL
• Honda Odyssey
• Lexus ES 350
• Lexus GS 350
• Toyota Camry
• Toyota FJ Cruiser
• Toyota Prius
• Toyota RAV4

Poor rear protection

• Honda Accord 4dr
• Infiniti M35
• Nissan Quest
• Toyota Avalon

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