Safest Cars of 2011 : Hyundai, Volkswagen top of the List

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has selected the safest 66 vehicles for its “Top safety pick award" for the 2011 model year, including 40 cars, 25 SUVs, and a minivan. From the awarded 66 vehicles, Hyundai and Volkswagen are on the top of the list with nine models of each. Last year, 27 vehicles were selected for this award and in recent year the number of safest vehicles is more than double.

Image source: theepochtimes.com

IIHS is an independent non-profit scientific organization committed to reduce the incidences of accidents on American highways. For 2010, IIHS set up tougher standards with the addition of roof strength testing protection in rear crashes, and seat and head restraints. The safest new vehicles annual list by the insurance industry incorporated a newly redesigned Ford Explorer, the car which had never received Top Safety Pick award.

As per the report from institute, “Hyundai/Kia and Volkswagen/Audi each have 9 winners for 2011. Next in line with 8 awards apiece are General Motors, Ford/Lincoln, and Toyota/Lexus/Scion. Subaru is the only manufacturer with a winner in all the vehicle classes in which it competes. Subaru earns 5 awards for 2011.”

Volvo and Mercedes received four awards and Mercedes was the leader amongst imports. Due to the more models of Ford, Buick, and Lincoln, American cars and trucks received half of the spots in annual list. Honda and Nissan earned two awards each while BMW and Mitsubishi win only one award.