2010's list of safest vehicles

Do you know which cars are the safest on the streets these days?

By: Whit Johnson CBS News | WNCT-On Your Side
Published: November 18, 2009

Do you know which cars are the safest on the streets these days?
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is putting some of them to the test.
19 cars and 8 sports utility vehicles have steered their way onto 2010's list of safest vehicles.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety chose the winners after putting them to the ultimate test, measuring front, side, rear, and rollover impacts.
Suburu nabbed the top safety pick for every vehicle class in which it completed a total of 5. Models from Ford and Volvo won 6 awards, and Volkswagen also earned high marks. 2 new small cars, the Nissan Cube and Kia Soul also made the list.
So who didn't make the cut? Several companies that had strong showings in 2009 including Toyota, the world's biggest automaker and its subsidiaries Lexus and Scion. Only 27 vehicles made this year's list, which is less than half of last year's total. That's because the institute required something new this time -- roof strength.
Each year in the U.S., 25,000 to 30,000 people die in car crashes. More than 9,000 are from rollover accidents.
If your car didn't make the grade, don't worry. Experts say every vehicle on the road meets minimum federal safety requirements. This list just recognizes the ones that protect you the best.