66 Vehicles Score IIHS Top Safety Pick Award

Forty cars, 25 SUVs and one minivan got the nod for IIHS Top Safety Picks in the 2011 edition of the intitutes annual awards

Winners must "do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes based on good ratings in Institute tests," the IIHS said. "Winners also must have available electronic stability control."

Topping the list with 9 Top Safety Picks a piece are Hyunda/Kia and Volkswagen/Audi. Following up with 8 awards each are General Motors, Ford/Lincoln, and Toyota/Lexus/Scion. Subaru is notable for having a Top Pick in each category in which it competes.

Automakers were given a special moment of appreciation for quickly rising to the demands set forth by the new IIHS test. At the beginning of 2010, only 27 vehicles got the award, but that number grew to 58 as carmakers tweaked designes and added new models. For 2011, 10 more joined the list and two previous winners were discontinued.

Full list and more pictures of cars crashing after the jump.

Large cars
Buick LaCrosse, Regal
BMW 5 series
Cadillac CTS
Ford Taurus
Hyundai Genesis
Infiniti M
Lincoln MKS
Mercedes E class sedan
Mercedes E class coupe
Toyota Avalon
Volvo S80

Midsize cars
Audi A3, A4
Chevrolet Malibu
Chrysler 200
Dodge Avenger
Ford Fusion
Hyundai Sonata
Kia Optima
Lincoln MKZ
Mercedes C class
Subaru Legacy, Outback
Volkswagen Jetta sedan
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
Volvo C30

Small cars
Chevrolet Cruze
Honda Civic
Kia Forte, Soul
Mitsubishi Lancer
Nissan Cube
Scion tC, xB
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Corolla
Volkswagen Golf, GTI

Minicar
Ford Fiesta

Minivan
Toyota Sienna

Large SUV
Volkswagen Touareg

Midsize SUVs
Audi Q5
Cadillac SRX
Chevrolet Equinox
Dodge Journey
Ford Explorer, Flex
GMC Terrain
Hyundai Santa Fe
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sorento
Lexus RX
Lincoln MKT
Mercedes GLK
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota Highlander, Venza
Volvo XC60, XC90

Small SUVs
Honda Element
Hyundai Tucson
Jeep Patriot
Kia Sportage
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan