Subaru tops all manufacturers in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 2010 ratings

The other car manufacturers to do well in 2010 include: Ford and its subsidiary, Volvo, Volkswagen and Audi with five top picks, and Chrysler with four cars in the top categories.

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

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 whose vehicles have earned Top Safety Pick in the past didn’t have a qualifying vehicle for 2010: BMW, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Saab.

The Honda Accord picked up the award the past two years, but the 2010 didn’t earn the required good roof strength rating to qualify (the roof is rated acceptable). The Ford Fusion also dropped off the list for the same reason.

The IIHS safest cars in America:

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.