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2010 IIHS Top Safety Picks: Cars
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety deems 19 cars worthy of Top Pick status.
Every year the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has the pleasure of crashing some of the newest vehicles money can buy. And we do mean pleasure, as they take great pride in using these crash tests to steer people towards the safest of vehicles. This gallery features 19 of the large, midsize and small car winners of 2010 Top Safety Pick awards. To earn the designation Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must pass through a series of severe simulated accidents and produce results in front, rear, and side tests that would indicate a low risk of any significant injuries to potential occupants. New for 2010 is a roof strength test, which measures rollover protection. Vehicles that earn a , or good rating, in each of the four tests qualify for Top Safety Pick status. Each vehicle must also have electronic stability control to make the list. Every vehicle page provides links to more detailed test results, as well as a brief vehicle summary and links for more information on the vehicle itself. Photos courtesy of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and manufacturers.
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The 2010 LaCrosse is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury sedan, available in 4 trims, ranging from the CX to the CXS. Upon introduction, the CX is equipped with a standard 3.0-liter, V6, 255-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. The CXS is equipped with a standard 3.6-liter, V6, 280-horsepower engine. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims. The LaCrosse is redesigned for 2010.
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The 2010 Taurus is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, available in 6 trims, ranging from the SE FWD to the SHO AWD. Upon introduction, the SE FWD is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 263-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 28-mpg on the highway. The SHO AWD is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 365-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims. The Taurus is redesigned for 2010.
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The 2010 MKS is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury sedan, available in 3 trims, ranging from the 3.7L FWD to the 3.5L with EcoBoost AWD. Upon introduction, the 3.7L FWD is equipped with a standard 3.7-liter, V6, 270-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. The 3.5L with EcoBoost AWD is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 355-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims. The 2010 MKS is a carryover from 2009.
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The 2010 S80 is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury sedan, available in 3 trims, ranging from the 3.2 to the V8 AWD. Upon introduction, the 3.2 is equipped with a standard 3.2-liter, I6, 235-horsepower engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. The V8 AWD is equipped with a standard 4.4-liter, V8, 311-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims. The S80 is a carryover from 2009.
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The 2010 A3 is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury wagon, available in 6 trims, ranging from the 2.0T Manual to the 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel with S tronic. Upon introduction, the 2.0T Manual is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 200-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 21-mpg in the city and 30-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard. The 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel with S tronic is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 140-horsepower, turbo, diesel engine that achieves 30-mpg in the city and 42-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The 2010 A3 is a carryover from 2009.
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The 2010 Malibu is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, available in 4 trims, ranging from the LS to the LTZ. Upon introduction, the LS is equipped with a standard 2.4-liter, I4, 169-horsepower engine that achieves 22-mpg in the city and 30-mpg on the highway. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The LTZ is equipped with a standard 2.4-liter, I4, 169-horsepower engine that achieves 22-mpg in the city and 33-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The Malibu is a carryover from 2009.
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The 2010 Sebring Sedan is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, available in two trims, the Touring and the Limited. Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 2.4-liter, I4, 173-horsepower engine that achieves 21-mpg in the city and 30-mpg on the highway. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The Sebring Sedan is reskinned for 2010.
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The Avenger is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, available in 2 trims, ranging from the SXT to the R/T. Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 2.4-liter, I4, 173-horsepower engine that achieves 21-mpg in the city and 30-mpg on the highway. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The Avenger is a carryover from 2009.
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The standard features of the Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport include 3.5L V6 268HP engine, 7-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), side seat mounted airbags, curtain 1st and 2nd row overhead airbags, driver knee airbag, airbag occupancy sensor, BabySmart airbag childseat sensor, automatic, 17" AMG alloy wheels, cruise control, ABS and driveline traction control, and stability control. There are 5 other C-Class trims available.
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The 2010 Legacy is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, or sports sedan, available in 8 trims, ranging from the 2.5i to the 3.6R Limited. Upon introduction, the 2.5i is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, H4, 170-horsepower engine. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a variable speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The 3.6R Limited is equipped with a standard 3.6-liter, H6, 256-horsepower engine. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The Legacy is redesigned for 2010.
