Safest Cars for 2011

The safest cars for 2011 have been chosen by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an independent nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to reducing the incidents on American highways.

Eighteen of the 66 winners of the newest IIHS Top Safety Pick award come from Hyundai and Volkswagen; with nine winning models each, the two manufacturers topped the list.

IIHS instituted tougher standards for 2010; the institute added roof strength to its criteria, testing protection in rollover crashes. Only 27 models from 2010 were initially able to pass the new test.

"In just a year, automakers have more than doubled the number of vehicles that meet the criteria for Top Safety Pick," Institute president Adrian Lund said in a press release.

Ten more models made the grade in 2011, while two were discontinued.

"That gives consumers shopping for a safer new car or SUV—from economy to luxury models—plenty of choices to consider in most dealer showrooms,” Lund continued. “In fact, every major automaker has at least one winning model this year."

Rear crash protection, seat and head restraints, front and side evaluations were all added into consideration along with roof strength. Based on incident tests and ratings, IIHS´s list helps consumers to choose cars that offer the highest level of protection.
Here's a full list of the 2011 Top Safety Picks:

Buick LaCrosse Audi A3
Buick Regal Audi A4 sedan
BMW 5 series (except 4-wheel drive and V8) Chevrolet Malibu
Cadillac CTS sedan Chrysler 200 4-door
Ford Taurus Dodge Avenger
Hyundai Genesis Ford Fusion
Infiniti M37/M56 (except M56x 4-wheel drive) Hyundai Sonata
Lincoln MKS Kia Optima
Mercedes E class coupe Lincoln MKZ
Mercedes E class sedan Mercedes C class
Toyota Avalon Subaru Legacy
Volvo S80 Subaru Outback
Volkswagen Jetta sedan
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
Chevrolet Cruze Volvo C30
Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control Minicar
Kia Forte sedan Ford Fiesta sedan and hatchback
Kia Soul (built after July 2010)
Mitsubishi Lancer sedan (except 4-wheel drive)
Nissan Cube Midsize SUVs
Scion tC Audi Q5
Scion xB Cadillac SRX
Subaru Impreza sedan and hatchback (except WRX) Chevrolet Equinox
Toyota Corolla Dodge Journey
Volkswagen Golf 4-door Ford Explorer
Volkswagen GTI 4-door Ford Flex
GMC Terrain
Hyundai Santa Fe
Toyota Sienna
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sorento (built after March 2010)
Small SUVs Lexus RX
Honda Element Lincoln MKT
Hyundai Tucson Mercedes GLK
Jeep Patriot (with optional side torso airbags) Subaru Tribeca
Kia Sportage Toyota Highlander
Subaru Forester Toyota Venza
Volkswagen Tiguan Volvo XC60
Volvo XC90
Volkswagen Touareg