Behind the ListThe organization's picks were chosen from 2008 cars, minivans, SUVs and pickup trucks. Each vehicle underwent front-, side- and rear-crash tests, and injuries were measured on dummies in the driver's and back seats.
Front-impact crashes are the most commonly fatal accidents, followed by side-impact crashes. While mandatory to be an IIHS Top Pick, side air bags are a standard feature on 65% of vehicles. Rear-impact crash tests generally happen at much lower speeds, resulting in more fender benders than fatalities. Collisions at slow speeds can still be a pain in the neck, though. These accidents are notorious for causing whiplash and a host of other back problems.
2008 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS
Designed to mimic real-world crash conditions, the IIHS front-crash tests run at 40 miles per hour, side-impact tests at 31 miles per hour and rear-crash tests at 20 miles an hour. Tests are graded with either a good, acceptable, marginal or poor rating.
"Crashes don't really happen at 60 or 70 miles per hour," Rader says. "Usually there's just enough reaction time to slow down, but not much."
This year, 34 models made the list, most offering ESC as a standard feature. While luxury makers like BMW, Audi and Mercedes dominate 2008's Top Safety Picks, several ESC-equipped cars under $30,000 joined them.
In compiling our list, we chose cars in each of five classes--large, midsize, minivans, midsize SUVs and small SUVs. The IIHS measures eight classes, but only these five had cars with a manufacturer's suggested retail price under $30,000.
Front-impact crashes are the most commonly fatal accidents, followed by side-impact crashes. While mandatory to be an IIHS Top Pick, side air bags are a standard feature on 65% of vehicles. Rear-impact crash tests generally happen at much lower speeds, resulting in more fender benders than fatalities. Collisions at slow speeds can still be a pain in the neck, though. These accidents are notorious for causing whiplash and a host of other back problems.
2008 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS
Designed to mimic real-world crash conditions, the IIHS front-crash tests run at 40 miles per hour, side-impact tests at 31 miles per hour and rear-crash tests at 20 miles an hour. Tests are graded with either a good, acceptable, marginal or poor rating.
"Crashes don't really happen at 60 or 70 miles per hour," Rader says. "Usually there's just enough reaction time to slow down, but not much."
This year, 34 models made the list, most offering ESC as a standard feature. While luxury makers like BMW, Audi and Mercedes dominate 2008's Top Safety Picks, several ESC-equipped cars under $30,000 joined them.
In compiling our list, we chose cars in each of five classes--large, midsize, minivans, midsize SUVs and small SUVs. The IIHS measures eight classes, but only these five had cars with a manufacturer's suggested retail price under $30,000.