Mitsubishi Lancer earns IIHS Top Safety Pick award

Consumer Reports News: July 22, 2010 02:05 PM

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The Lancer is the first Mitsubishi to receive the Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) since the organization began implementing its rollover test to its scoring criteria. The Top Safety Pick award recognizes vehicles for earning the highest score of Good on the front, side, rollover, and rear crash protection. To earn this distinction, vehicles must also have electronic stability control, which is standard on the Lancer.

In the new rollover evaluation, the Lancer earned a 4.31 strength-to-weight ratio, which means the roof can withstand a force of 4.31 times the vehicle's weight before reaching five inches of roof crush. A Good rating score is above four times the vehicle weight.

The Lancer joins the Honda Civic, Kia Forte, Kia Soul, Nissan Cube, Scion xB, Subaru Impreza (except WRX), Toyota Corolla, and Volkswagen Golf small cars that have also earned the award for the 2010 year. So far this year, 51 vehicles have earned the Institute's Top Safety Pick award.

— Liza Barth