Description
Each year the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (a not for profit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers) tests cars in three categories and publish their top safety picks. The car must earn good ratings (the ratings are good, acceptable, marginal, or poor) in all the categories which are high speed front crash test, side crash test and evaluations of the seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts.   The vehicles must also offer electronic stability control which (based on research from the Institute) considerably diminishes crash risk by assisting drivers in maintaining control of their car during emergency maneuvers.

List of the 2008 winners:

Large Cars:
 •  Audi A6 
 •  Cadillac CTS 
 •  Ford Taurus 
 •  Mercury Sable 
 •  Volvo S80

Large Pickup:
 •  Toyota Tundra

Minivans:
 •  Honda Odyssey 
 •  Hyundai Entourage 
 •  Kia Sedona

Midsize Cars:
 •  Audi A3 
 •  Audi A4 
 •  Honda Accord (4-Door Models) 
 •  Saab 9-3 
 •  Subaru Legacy 
 
Midsize SUVs: 
  •  Acura MDX 
 •  Acura RDX 
 •  BMW X3 
 •  BMW X5 
 •  Ford Edge 
 •  Ford Taurus X 
 •  Honda Pilot 
 •  Hyundai Santa Fe 
 •  Hyundai Veracruz 
 •  Infiniti EX35 
 •  Lincoln MKX 
 •  Mercedes M class 
 •  Saturn VUE (built after December 2007) 
 •  Subaru Tribeca 
 •  Toyota Highlander 
 •  Volvo XC90 

Midsize convertibles: 
 •  Saab 9-3 
 •  Volvo C70

Small cars: 
 •  Subaru Impreza

Small SUVs:
 •  Honda CR-V 
 •  Honda Element 
 •  Subaru Forester

 •  With “Going Green” being a popular tag line these days and gas prices going through the roof, fuel efficient cars have become the choice of many.  Below is the list, by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy’s fuel economy guidebook, of the 2008 Model Year Overall Fuel Economy Leaders.

• Toyota Prius Hybrid
• Honda Civic Hybrid
• Nissan Altima Hybrid
• Ford Escape Hybrid FWD, Mazda Tribute 2WD, Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD
• Toyota Camry Hybrid
• Toyota Yaris – manual
• Toyota Yaris – automatic
• Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD, Mazda Tribute Hybrid 4WD, Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD
• Toyota Corolla – manual
• Honda Fit - manual

Please note:  The “Phill” is an appliance that is kept in the home to refuel your hybrid.  Refueling a natural-gas-powered car is much cheaper than buying gasoline. 

List of Products & Services
  • Buy only from US Autoparts, the trusted Leader in the auto parts industry

Books and Publications
  •  New Car Buying Guide 2008 (Consumer Reports New Car Buying Guide) (Paperback)
  •  Used Car Buying Guide 2008 (Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide) (Paperback)