Top crash-test ratings of 2012

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently released its Top Safety Picks for 2012. The winning vehicles afford the best protection in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes, based on the institute’s tests. See which cars got the safest ratings.

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2013 Acura ILX

The Acura ILX was introduced in the 2013 model year and is derived from the Honda Civic. Safety features include dual front impact airbags, traction control, occupant sensing, overhead, and dual front side impact airbags. It also comes with a security system, a panic alarm, and an immobilizer.

The institute reports that crash-test dummy movement was well controlled. The driver side curtain and side thorax airbags deployed during the crash. After the dummy moved forward into the frontal airbag, it rebounded into the seat without its head coming close to any stiff structure that could cause injury.

2012 Audi A4

Standard safety features on the 2012 Audi A4 include an overhead airbag, dual front impact, and dual front side impact airbags. The rear side-impact airbag is available for a $350 upgrade.

The institute reports that dummy movement was well controlled during tests on the 2012 Audi A4. The driver side curtain airbag deployed during the crash. After the dummy moved forward into the frontal airbag, it rebounded into the seat with its head grazing the sunvisor, roof, and grab handle above the deployed side airbag. Plus, measures taken from the dummy after the test indicate a lower risk of significant injuries.

2012 Chevrolet Volt

The 2012 Chevy Volt received an overall “Good’’ rating from the institute, with a low risk of any significant injury reported to the crash-test dummy. In addition to dual front impact airbags, the Volt also features occupant sensing airbags, overhead airbags, and knee airbags. Other safety features include traction control, a security system, and a panic alarm.

The institute reports that dummy movement was well controlled with the driver side curtain airbag deployed during the crash. After the dummy moved forward into the frontal airbag, its head contacted the side curtain airbag.

Dodge Dart 2013

The 2013 Dodge Dart comes standard with an anti-lock braking system, dual front impact, dual front side impact, overhead, knee, and rear side-impact airbags. Security systems and panic alarms are available standard on the SXT and Limited editions.

The 2013 Dodge Dart received an overall “Good’’ evaluation from the institute. Dummy movement was well controlled and the driver side curtain airbag deployed during the crash. The dummy’s head contacted the side curtain airbag after it moved forward into the frontal airbag.

2012 Nissan Cube

The 2012 Nissan Cube offers an occupant sensing, overhead, dual front side, and dual front impact airbags. Traction control, security system, panic alarm, and anti-lock brakes are all standard features.

The institute gave the 2012 Nissan Cube an overall “Good’’ rating. Dummy movement was well controlled in the test and the driver side curtain and side torso airbags deployed during the crash. During rebound, the dummy’s head contacted the side curtain airbag, which kept the head away from any stiff structure that could cause injury.

2012 BMW 328

The 2012 BMW 328 features traction control, overhead, knee, dual front impact, dual front side impact, and occupant sensing airbags, anti-lock brakes, and brake assist. Integrated roll-over protection and stability control are available options.

The institute gives the 2012 BMW 328 an overall “Good’’ rating. Dummy movement was well controlled during the test. During rebound, the dummy’s head hit the roof rail but head acceleration from the roof rail hit was low. Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries.

The 2012 BMW 328 features traction control, overhead, knee, dual front impact, dual front side impact, and occupant sensing airbags, anti-lock brakes, and brake assist. Integrated roll-over protection and stability control are available options.

IIHS gives the 2012 BMW 328 an overall “Good’’ rating. Dummy movement was well controlled during the test. During rebound, the dummy’s head hit the roof rail but head acceleration from the roof rail hit was low. Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries.

2012 Hyundai Sonata

The 2012 Hyundai Sonata features a anti-lock brakes, dual front impact, dual front side impact, overhead, and occupant sensing airbags, plus a panic alarm and a security system. An immobilizer comes standard with all models, with the exception of the GLS.

The institute gives the 2012 Hyundai Sonata an overall “Good’’ rating. Dummy movement was well controlled in two sets of tests.

2012 Kia Optima

Dual front side impact, dual front impact, occupant sensing, and overhead airbags are standard safety features on the 2012 Kia Optima. The vehicle also features anti-lock brakes, an immobilizer, a panic alarm, and a security system.

The institute gave the 2012 Kia Optima an overall “Good’’ rating. Dummy movement was well controlled with the driver side curtain and side thorax airbags deploying during the crash.

2012 Subaru Outback

Dual front side impact, dual front impact, occupant sensing, and overhead airbags are standard safety features on the 2012 Subaru Outback. Anti-lock brakes, immobilizer, panic alarm, and security systems are standard features for all models.

The institute gives the 2012 Subaru Outback an overall “Good’’ rating. During the test, dummy movement was controlled with the dummy rebounding into the seat without its head coming close to any stiff structure that could cause injury.

2012 Volkswagen Passat

Standard features on the 2012 Volkswagon Passat include anti-lock brakes, dual front impact, dual front side impact, occupant sensing, and overhead airbags. A panic alarm is also standard for all models, but a security system only comes standard in the 2.5L SEL model. A security system upgrade is available in other models for $325.

The institute gives the 2012 Volkswagon Passat an overall “Good’’ rating. Dummy movement was controlled. Dummy’s head hit the roof during the crash, but measurements taken to the dummy indicate a low risk of significant injury.