Five Chrysler vehicles named Top Safety Picks

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has given its top rating to the Chrysler 200, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Journey, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Patriot. All five were designated “Top Safety Picks” in the latest round of testing,

The Top Safety Pick award is given to vehicles that do the best job of protecting occupants in front, side, rollover, and rear collisions. All awards are based on ratings received in Institute tests. Winners also must have electronic stability control either as standard equipment or as an option.

This year the testing was tougher following the implementation of more stringent criteria including a roof strength test. At the beginning of the 2010 model year, just 27 vehicles met Top Safety Pick standards. This year, 66 vehicles made the cut.

“In just a year, automakers have more than doubled the number of vehicles that meet the criteria for TOP SAFETY PICK,” says Adrian Lund, the Institute’s president. “That gives consumers shopping for a safer new car or SUV — from economy to luxury models — plenty of choices to consider in most dealer showrooms. In fact, every major automaker has at least one winning model this year.”

Automakers deserve credit for quickly rising to meet the more-challenging criteria for TOP SAFETY PICK,” Lund says. “Several already have requested tests for new models due to ship early next year, so we expect to add even more winners to the 2011 list.”

To learn more and see the complete list of Top Safety Picks, click here.