Toyota is Biggest Loser in Latest Safety Tests

Subaru is all in while Toyota places exactly zero vehicles on the Top Safety Pick Award list for 2010

IIHS ups the ante

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a non-profit organization funded by auto insurers, has been crash testing vehicle since 1995, when it began conducting frontal tests. Side crash testing began in 2003 and in 2005 the Institute awarded the first Top Safety Pick winners to 2006 models. The following year rear tests results were added and electronic stability control was required either as standard or optional equipment in order to qualify.

For 2010, the Institute upped the ante, requiring that all “Top Picks” meet new roof strength criteria – a change that resulted in the winnowing down of a record 94 Top Picks in 2009 to just 27 (and counting, as manufacturers can submit additional models for testing) for the 2010 model year.

“With the addition of our new roof strength evaluation, our crash test results now cover all 4 of the most common kinds of crashes,” says Institute president Adrian Lund. “Consumers can use this list to zero in on the vehicles that are on the top rung for safety.”

Toyota, we hardly knew ye

The IIHS report is quick to point out that Japanese manufacturer Toyota is conspicuously absent from this year’s list: Not a single model from the world’s biggest automaker by sales is represented among this year’s winners. Toyota and its Lexus and Scion subsidiaries had a strong showing in 2009 with 11 winners but were shut out for 2010.

Four other manufacturers scored goose eggs as well – With BMW, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Saab all failing to place a single model on the list.

Both the Honda Accord and the Ford Fusion also fell from grace with the Institute, although Lund left them with an out: “Honda and Ford would have to make only minor changes to achieve good ratings for roof strength, as the Accord and Fusion just missed the mark.”

And the winners are…

Large cars

Buick LaCrosse
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Volvo S80

Midsize cars

Audi A3
Chevrolet Malibu built after October 2009
Chrysler Sebring 4-door 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 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
Kia Soul
Nissan Cube
Subaru Impreza except WRX
Volkswagen Golf 4-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

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