The 2011 IIHS Top Safety Picks

2010 Audi A3 TDI front. Credit: Lori Hindman and Motherproof.com

By Cars.comApril 13, 2011

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does not test all cars. Like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, IIHS concentrates its crash tests on the highest-volume vehicles.

This table represents the vehicles IIHS selected as Top Safety Picks for 2011. The winning vehicles afford the best protection in front, side, rollover and rear crashes, based on IIHS tests. For the 2010 model year, IIHS added a new crash test -- a roof-strength test. The addition of the roof-strength test greatly reduced the initial number of vehicles selected as Top Safety Picks. A number of vehicles were added as manufacturers reworked existing designs and introduced new models. Winners also have to be equipped with electronic stability control. For complete crash-test ratings, visit www.iihs.org.

IIHS Top Safety Picks

Compact Cars:

Audi A3
Audi A4 (sedan)
Chevrolet Cruze
Ford Fiesta (sedan and hatchback models built after July 2010)
Honda Civic (sedan with electronic stability control; excludes Si)
Kia Forte (sedan)
Kia Soul
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mitsubishi Lancer (excludes four-wheel-drive models)
Nissan Cube
Scion tC
Scion xB
Subaru Impreza (excludes WRX)
Toyota Corolla
Volkswagen GTI (four-door models)
Volkswagen Golf (four-door models)
Volkswagen Jetta
Volvo C30