Insurance institute announces top cars for safety - ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, Sports

Insurance institute announces top cars for safety

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released its top safety picks for automobiles in the 2011 model year. 

This year's list has 66 top picks, the most ever.  It's more than double last year's 27 models.

South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia and German automaker Volkswagen topped the list with nine awards each.That was followed by eight awards apiece for General Motors, Ford and Toyota.

The awards, used in advertising to attract car buyers, bolster Hyundai and Volkswagen as they attempt to build a larger foothold in the United States.

Subaru and Chrysler received five awards apiece while Volvo and Mercedes had four. Subaru was the only automaker to win awards in every vehicle category in which it competes. Nissan and Honda had two awards each and Mitsubishi and BMW had one.

LARGE CARS

  • Buick LaCrosse
  • Buick Regal
  • BMW 5 Series
  • Cadillac CTS
  • Ford Taurus
  • Hyundai Genesis
  • Infiniti M
  • Lincoln MKS
  • Mercedes E Class sedan
  • Mercedes E Class coupe
  • Toyota Avalon
  • Volvo S80

MIDSIZE CARS

  • Audi A3
  • Audi A4
  • Chevrolet Malibu
  • Chrysler 200
  • Dodge Avenger
  • Ford Fusion
  • Hyundai Sonata
  • Kia Optima
  • Lincoln MKZ
  • Mercedes C Class
  • Subaru Legacy
  • Subaru Outback
  • Volkswagen Jetta
  • Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
  • Volvo C30

SMALL CARS

  • Chevrolet Cruze
  • Honda Civic
  • Kia Forte
  • Kia Soul
  • Mitsubishi Lancer
  • Nissan Cube
  • Scion tC
  • Scion xB
  • Subaru Impreza
  • Toyota Corolla
  • Volkswagen Golf
  • Volkswagen GTI

MIDSIZE SUVs

  • Ford Fiesta

MINIVAN

  • Toyota Sienna

LARGE SUV

  • Volkswagen Touareg

MIDSIZE SUVs

  • Audi Q5
  • Cadillac SRX
  • Chevrolet Equinox
  • Dodge Journey
  • Ford Explorer
  • Ford Flex
  • GMC Terrain
  • Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee
  • Kia Sorento
  • Lexus RX
  • Lincoln MKT
  • Mercedes GLK
  • Subaru Tribeca
  • Toyota Highlander
  • Toyota Venza
  • Volvo XC60
  • Volvo XC90

SMALL SUVs

  • Honda Element
  • Hyundai Tucson
  • Jeep Patriot
  • Kia Sportage
  • Subaru Forester
  • Volkswagen Tiguan