The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has announced 13 vehicles that earn Top Safety Pick awards for 2007. Winners include 4 cars, 7 SUVs, and 2 minivans. This award recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, and rear crashes based on ratings in Institute tests. Winners also have to be equipped with electronic stability control (ESC).
The thirteen top picks were as follows: Audi A6 , Audi A4 , Saab 9-3 , Subaru Legacy , Hyundai Entourage, Kia Sedona , Mercedes M class, Volvo XC90 , Acura RDX , Honda Pilot , Subaru B9 Tribeca, Honda CR-V , and Subaru Forester .
The Institute also listed sixteen vehicles that would have earned the Top Safety Pick rating if their seat/head restraints performed well. “Acceptable” head restraint ratings went to: Audi A3 , BMW 3-series 4dr, Lexus IS 250 /350. “Marginal” ratings went to: Acura TL , Honda Odyssey , Lexus ES 350 , Lexus GS 350 , Toyota Camry , Toyota FJ Cruiser , Toyota Prius , Toyota RAV4 . “Poor” ratings went to: Honda Accord 4dr, Infiniti M35, Nissan Quest , Toyota Avalon , Toyota Sienna .
