IIHS awards 2010 Top Safety Pick Award to Audi, Ford, Hyundai and VW

2010 Lincoln MKT undergoing IIHS roof safety test

The International Institute for Highway Safety announced that it has awarded Audi, Ford, Hyundai and Volkswagen models the 2010 Top Safety Pick award.

“Based on new rollover test results the 2010 Audi A4 and Q5, Ford Flex and Fusion (twins Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ), Hyundai Tucson, Lincoln MKT, and Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s TOP SAFETY PICK award,” the IIHS said in a statement.

Each of the model mention above achieved the highest rating of good for roof strength in rollover crashes. To measure for roof strength, the IIHS pushes a metal plate against one corner of a vehicle’s roof at a constant speed. The maximum force sustained by the roof before 5 inches of crush is compared to the vehicle’s weight to find the strength-to-weight ratio.

The Top Safety Pick award is given to the vehicles that earn the highest rating of good for front, side, rollover, and rear crash protection, and that have electronic stability control, which is standard on all of these models.

– By: Stephen Calogera