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Honda, Ford models join list of cars rated best for crash safety

Bloomberg News
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.14.2007
Honda Motor Co.'s 2007 Acura MDX sport utility vehicle and Ford Motor Co.'s 2008 Taurus sedan and its twin, the Mercury Sable, have won top insurance industry safety awards after making design changes.
The MDX, Taurus and Sable join a number of other vehicles rated best for overall crash protection in front, side and rear tests, after failing to qualify for the Top Safety Pick list, announced in December by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
"Manufacturers are making rapid vehicle changes to reflect the latest safety research," Adrian Lund, president of the institute, said Sunday in a statement.
The MDX was added after Honda changed the seat and head restraints from an earlier design judged "marginal," the Arlington, Va.-based institute said in the statement.
The Taurus and Sable replaced the Ford 500, which had been a Top Safety Pick in 2006, after the institute added a requirement that vehicles have anti-rollover technology. The 500 lacks so-called electronic stability control, which the Taurus and Sable offer as an option.
The ratings are based on evaluations of vehicle structural performance and occupant injuries as measured on crash dummies in a 40 mph front impact, a 31 mph side impact and a 20 mph rear impact.
Other winners announced in December were Volkswagen AG's Audi A6 and A4; Honda's Acura RDX, Pilot and CR-V SUVs; Ford's Edge and Lincoln MKX SUVs; General Motors Corp.'s Saab 9-3; Ford's Volvo XC 90 SUV; Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.'s Subaru Legacy car, and Subaru B9 Tribeca and Forester SUVs; Hyundai Motor Co.'s Entourage minivan; Kia Motor Corp.'s Sedona minivan; and DaimlerChrysler AG's Mercedes M Class SUV.
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