More vehicles top safety list

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has announced the winners of their 2008 Top Safety Pick awards.  This year, 34 vehicles made the cut—more than ever before and more than double from last year. This shows that manufacturers have made important changes and have introduced safer designs. To qualify for this award, vehicles must earn the top score in front, side, and rear crashes based on the IIHS' tests.  They also had to be equipped with electronic stability control, which has been shown to reduce crash risks and helps keep a vehicle in control and on its path during a turn to avoid skidding and sliding.

There are 11 new winners for 2008.  They include the Audi A3, Honda Accord, Subaru Impreza (equipped with optional ESC), Honda Odyssey, BMW X3 and X5, Hyundai Veracruz (built after Aug. 2007), Saturn Vue (built after Dec. 2007), Toyota Highlander, Honda Element, and Toyota Tundra. 

Check out the Institute's crash test videos of these models, plus over 200 vehicles tested in front and side crash evaluations.

—Liza Barth