IIHS Notes 11 Vehicles for Highest Safety Award

Four small cars, two midsize cars, two midsize SUVs, one large luxury car, one small pickup, and a midsize convertible are the latest winners of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's TOP SAFETY PICK award.

Winners afford superior overall crash protection among the vehicles in their classes. To qualify, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests. It also must be equipped with electronic stability control.

"Criteria to win are tough because TOP SAFETY PICK is intended to drive continued improvements such as good crash test ratings and rapid addition of electronic stability control, which is standard equipment on 9 of the 11 new winners," says Institute president Adrian Lund. "Recognizing vehicles at the head of the class for safety helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results."

Winners by vehicle class

• Small cars: 2009 Honda Civic with optional electronic stability control, 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer with optional electronic stability control, 2008-09 Scion xB, and 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
• Midsize cars: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta and 2009 Volkswagen Passat
• Large luxury car: 2009 Lincoln MKS
• Midsize SUVs: 2009 Ford Flex and 2009 Honda Pilot
• Small pickup: 2009 Toyota Tacoma
• Midsize convertible: 2009 Volkswagen Eos