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2010 IIHS Top Safety Picks: SUVs
Four midsize and four small SUVs earn the coveted award.
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 the eight midsize and small SUV 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. The image to the right shows an SUV that received a good roof strength test rating compared with one that received a poor rating. 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 Journey is a 4-door, up to 7-passenger sport-utility, available in 5 trims, ranging from the SE to the RT AWD. Upon introduction, the SE is equipped with a standard 2.4-liter, I4, 173-horsepower engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The RT AWD is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 235-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 23-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The 2010 Journey is a carryover from 2009.
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The Tribeca is a 4-door, up to 7-passenger luxury sport-utility, available in 3 trims, ranging from the Tribeca to the Limited. Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 3.6-liter, H6, 256-horsepower engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 21-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.
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The 2010 XC60 is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury sport-utility, available in one trim only, the T6 AWD. Upon introduction, the XC60 is equipped with a standard 3.0-liter, I6, 281-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The XC60 is all-new for 2010.
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The XC90 is a 4-door, up to 7-passenger luxury sport-utility, 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 14-mpg in the city and 20-mpg on the highway. The V8 AWD is equipped with a standard 4.4-liter, V8, 311-horsepower engine that achieves 13-mpg in the city and 19-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.
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The Element is a 4-door, 4-passenger sport-utility, available in 7 trims, ranging from the LX 2WD 5-Spd AT to the EX AWD 5-Spd AT w/Navigation System. All trims are equipped with a standard 2.4-liter, I4, 166-horsepower engine that achieves 20-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The Element is a carryover from 2009.
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The 2009 Patriot is a 4-door, 5-passenger sport-utility, available in 4 trims, ranging from the Sport 4X2 to the Limited 4X4. Upon introduction, the Sport 4X2 is equipped with a standard 2.4-liter, I4, 172-horsepower engine that achieves 23-mpg in the city and 28-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a variable speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The Limited 4X4 is equipped with a standard 2.4-liter, I4, 172-horsepower engine that achieves 22-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a variable speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.
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The 2010 Forester is a 4-door, 5-passenger sport-utility, available in 5 trims, ranging from the 2.5X to the 2.5XT Limited. Upon introduction, the 2.5X is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, H4, 170-horsepower engine that achieves 20-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The 2.5XT Limited is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, H4, 224-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The 2010 Forester is a carryover from 2009.
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The 2009 Tiguan is a 4-door, 5-passenger sport-utility, available in 4 trims, ranging from the S to the SEL. Upon introduction, the S is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 200-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The SEL is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 200-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The Tiguan is all-new for 2009.
