Small Cars With Top Safety Ratings
Now there's good news - the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named six small cars, including two hybrids, for the Top Safety Pick designation.
The vehicles are:
- 2012 Ford Focus
- 2012 Honda Civic
- 2011 Hyundai Elantra
- 2011 Lexus CT 200h hybrid
- 2011 Nissan Juke
- 2011 Toyota Prius
Criteria to win include top ratings of Good in front, side, rear and roof-strength crash tests. The vehicle must also have electronic stability control.
Frontal crash-worthiness is based on a 40 MPH frontal-offset crash test.
Side evaluation is based on a vehicle being struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph.
Seat and head restraints are tested using a dummy that measures forces on the neck, simulating a collision in the rear at 20 mph.

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