Safest 2011 Cars
Cars are increasingly becoming safer to drive. New safety features such as electronic stability control, head and torso side curtain airbags, and improved roof structures have helped reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries in vehicle collisions. In fact, in 2009, the U.S. auto accident fatality rated dropped to a 60 year low.
The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety ("IIHS") has released its 2011 top vehicle safety picks, which it considers the safest 2011 cars. For 2011, 66 models made the IIHS' list including 40 cars, 25 sport utility vehicles, and one minivan. In 2010, only 27 vehicles made the list. The IIHS found that 92% of all cars tested have standard head and torso side airbags and standard electronic stability control. By law, all new cars sold in the U.S. by the 2012 model year must have standard electronic stability control.
The IIHS rated 191 2011 vehicle models based on their performance in high–speed front and side crash tests, a rollover test, and evaluation of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. The IIHS has four different rating grades it awards for each test: good, acceptable, marginal or poor. To make the IIHS list of safest 2011 cars, a vehicle had to receive a "good" rating in all categories and offer electronic stability control.
The IIHS designates eight different vehicle categories for testing: small cars, large cars, minicars, midsize cars, minivans, small SUVs, midsize SUVs, and large SUVs. Every major auto manufacturer had at least one model make the IIHS top safety pick list. Hyundai/Kia and Volkswagen/Audi lead the way with each having nine models on the list. Ford, GM and Toyota had eight models on the list. Subaru, which had a total of five models on the list, was the only manufacturer with a winning model in each class it competes.
Some of the models on the list include: the Audi A4 sedan, Buick Regal, Hyundia Sonata, Subaru Outback, Toyota Corolla, and Volvo C30. The minicar, minivan, and large SUV categories had only one model each with the winners being the Ford Fiesta sedan/hatchback (built after July 2011), Toyota Sienna, and Volkswagen Touraeg, respectively. The Volkswagen Tiguan is also on the list of safest 2011 SUVs.
Safety is an important factor when making a car buying purchase. Not only is buying one of the safest 2011 cars going to help protect you in collisions, it can also improve your vehicle's resale value when time to sell it or trade it in and lower your car insurance rates. For information on the 191 models tested including the safest 2011 cars, go to the IIHS' website.
