IIHS Announces Safest Vehicles of 2010

The IIHS has released its safest vehicles of 2010 list. Their picks were based on 4 categories:

• Front Impact:  Front impacts were done offset at 40mph. Each vehicle is evaluated
  on the amount of intrusion into the vehicle, injury assessment sustained by the crash Hybrid
  III dummy, and how well the vehicle’s restraint system controlled the dummy occupant
  during the crash via analysis of slow-motion video playback. 
  
  
• Side Impact:  Side impact assessments were performed by a moving barrier that strikes the car
  at 31mph.  The barrier is designed to replicate the front of an SUV or pick-up.  The
  assessments are based on the injury measurements from 2 instrumented SID-II crash dummies. 
  Also rated in the side impact collision are the head protection features.  These include side curtain airbags or restraints, and overall sturctural integrity of the vehicle.
  
  
• Roof Strength: For the roof strength test, a flat metal plate is pressed at a steady speed against one side of the vehicle’s roof.  If the vehicle passes the test to earn a GOOD rating for rollover protection, the vehicle’s roof must be able to withstand a pressing force of four times the vehicle’s weight without compressing five inches--a strength-to-weight ratio measurement.  
  
  (For example, if the vehicle weighs 4,000lbs, it must be able to withstand the pressing force of 16,000lbs.  In order for the IIHS to give a vehicle an ACCEPTABLE rating, the vehicle must be able to withstand a minimum of 3.25 strength-to-weight ratio, MARGINAL needs a 2.5, and vehicles below 2.5 receive a POOR rollover rating.)
   
• Rear Impact:  Rear impact crash protection was measured based on calculations of the distance between the head and the head restraint, and how much force is placed on the neck during impact as a result.  This test is performed on a stationary vehicle that is struck at 20mph.  If the vehicle's seats cannot be positioned to provide good protection, it will receive a POOR rating.

The complete list of vehicles and specific ratings exist on the IIHS website.  In addition to this list, you can view several other non-biased reports and findings regarding vehicle safety information.

Research is always recommended before purchasing a new vehicle, especially if you wish to buy the safest vehicle to fit your needs.