Dodge, Chrysler, Honda top safety picks
The redesigned Chrysler 300, along with the Dodge Charger, have been named Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Credit: Getty Images
The redesigned 2011 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 have been named Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for their performance in the research group's four crash tests and for their standard electronic stability control, the institute announced Thursday.
Separately, Honda said Thursday its redesigned 2011 Odyssey minivan had earned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's top five-star score in all three of the government agency's new, more stringent crash tests.
The two Chryslers are the sixth and seventh 2011 Chrysler models designated top picks by the institute. The others: Dodge Avenger and Journey, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Patriot and the Chrysler 200.
"The Top Safety Pick designation recognizes the vehicles that afford the best overall crash protection," the IIHS said, adding " winners must have electronic stability control, an important crash-avoidance feature."
The previous-generation Charger and Chrysler 300 had earned the group's second lowest rating, "marginal," for side-impact protection, even with head-protecting side curtain air bags. The previous cars were also rated marginal for rear-impact protection. This is the first time the institute rated these cars for roof strength in rollovers, and both did very well, the group said.
