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In testing conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute, the safest 8 passenger vehicles were determined by performance in crash tests . This is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing traffic accidents and therefore reducing the cost to us all. Highway accidents are costly to all citizens, resulting in higher insurance prices and contributing to the rising cost of healthcare. Different types of crash tests were administered, including front, side, rollover, and rear crash tests. All models used for the purpose of this article were 2011 year models. The vehicles were rated a score of good, acceptable, marginal, or poor in each crash test. In order to be considered a top safety pick for 2011 the vehicle must have scored good in all four crash test categories.
In order for the frontal and side crash test rating to be considered good, dummy movement had to be minimal. Possible injury measures were taken on various parts of the body as well as damage to the structure or the safety cage of the vehicle. The rollover rating was determined by pushing a piece of metal against the roof at a constant speed and measuring the amount force the vehicle was able to take before the roof collapsed anymore than five inches. Rear crash safety was primarily determined by measuring the amount of potential neck injury to the driver. All of the top safety pick vehicles of 2011 listed below received of rating of good in all categories.
According to test scores the safest (defined as overall crash worthiness) eight passenger large sports utility vehicles with standard side airbags were the GMC Acadia, the Buick Enclave, and the Chevrolet Traverse. The safest eight passenger sports utility vehicle with standard but without additional optional side airbags was the Volkswagen Touareg. The safest midsize sports utility vehicles with standard side airbags included the Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, Dodge Journey, Ford Edge, Ford Explorer, Ford Flex, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Kia Sorento, Subaru Tribeca, Toyota Highlander, and Toyota Venza. It is interesting and worthwhile to note that the majority of vehicles given the top safety pick are in fact American.
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