Buick Verano joins rest of family as top safety pick

The 2012 Buick Verano has been selected as a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It joins the rest of Buick lineup with the top rating in the testing program that determines occupant protection in front, side, and rollover crashes, and specifically tests seats and head restraints for neck protection in rear impact crashes.

To earn a 2012 Top Safety Pick designation, a vehicle must be rated “good” in all four tests.

The Verano has 10 standard air bags and the security of OnStar. In the event of a rollover crash, sensors in the vehicle deploy standard head curtain air bags prior to impact and leave them inflated for an extended period.

Verano’s body structure is comprised of more than 60 percent steel that provides a protective safety cage around occupants. Other safety measures include standard four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, panic brake override, StabiliTrak electronic stability control, and a collapsible pedal system that reduces the risk of leg injury.

The website of Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com) recently named the Verano among its “10 Best Sedans Under $25,000.”