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2009's
Safest Cars – Safest Model Year Ever?
Each December, the
Insurance
Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) releases its list
of the safety ratings for new cars. In December, 2008, the list of
2009 models included more cars in the top tier than any prior year –
over seventy – with midsized sedans and small SUVs making up
the bulk of the list. Remember, the safer a car is rated, the easier
it becomes to find
the cheapest car insurance rates. What are the safest
cars? Here's a look at six of the top-rated 2009 vehicles:
2009 Acura RL
(Large Car)
Why it's on the list: This
car had especially good scores in rear-crash protection, but also
had perfect results across the board for seat/head and dynamic
restraint results.
What it offers: Side
airbags, electronic stability control, and daytime running lights
are just a few of the safety features standard on this car.
What it costs: $46,680
MSRP
2009 Honda Accord
(Mid-size Car)
Why it's on the list:
Like the Acura RL, the Accord had especially good rear-crash
protection scores, and perfect across-the-board scores for dynamic
and seat/heat restraint results.
What it offers: Daytime
running lights, side airbags, electronic stability control, and
other features.
What it costs: $20,905
MSRP
2009 Subaru
Impreza (Small Car)
Why it's on the list: The
Impreza had especially good scores in front-offset tests and perfect
scores for its head/neck, chest, leg/foot, restraints, and safety
cage tests.
What it offers:
Rollover sensor, electronic stability control, daytime running
lights, side airbags, and more.
What it costs:
$17,495 MSRP
2009 Toyota
Highlander (Mid-size SUV)
Why it's on the list: This
SUV had exceptional scores in the rear-crash protection tests, and
perfect results for dynamic and seat/head restraint testing.
What it offers: Antilock
brakes, side curtain airbags electronic stability control and a
rollover sensor are all standard.
What it costs: $25,705
MSRP
2009 Nissan Rogue
(Small SUV)
Why it's on the list: The
Nissan Rogue had exceptional results in rear-crash protection, and
perfect seat/head and dynamic restraint scores.
What it offers: A
rollover sensor, side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, and
electronic stability control.
What it costs:
$20,220 MSRP
2009 Honda
Ridgeline (Large Trucks)
Why it's on the list: This
truck had exceptional scores for driver's side, side-crash
protection, and perfect scores for head protection, head/neck,
torso, and pelvis/leg injuries, and structure.
What it offers: Daytime
running lights, electronic stability control, a rollover sensor, and
side airbags, among other features.
What it costs: $28,200
MSRP
While these cars and
trucks were at the top of their classes, there are more than 60 other
cars and trucks that also scored in the top year. What does this
mean? Only that in terms of crash-safety, 2009 may be the safest
model year ever.
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