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Insurance Institute For Highway Safety Reveals Its Top Picks For 2016

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Are you in the market for a new car? Well the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has revealed its top picks for 2016.

As 3 On Your Side consumer reporter Jim Donovan explains, four dozen cars earned top marks after meeting tougher safety requirements.

Vehicles had to pass certain crash tests and offer crash prevention features to qualify for the institute's highest award.  When it comes to safety, Toyota is on top.

The Camry is one of nine Toyota models that earned top safety pick plus which is the highest safety rating for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

"Honda is right behind them with eight," said Insurance Institute for Highway Safety president, Adrian Lund.

To earn the institute's top two highest awards, cars had to perform better on the small overlap test.  It simulates what happens when the front corner of the car collides with another vehicle or tree.

Crash prevention was also a factor.

"To get top safety pick, you have to have at least a forward collision warning system. And to get a top safety pick plus, you have to have an autonomous emergency breaking system," said Lund.

The redesigned 2016 Nissan Maxima and Volkswagen Passat performed well.  While the Toyota Avalon added autobrake to earn the top safety pick plus.

The Scion iA is the only minicar to receive the 2016 award.

In all, 48 vehicles earned the top safety award. The Chrysler 200 is the only American car to get the honor.

"We were a little disappointed in the performance of our domestic automakers," said Lund.

However, Ford's F-150 Supercrew is among 13 vehicles that earned the second highest safety level.

Link for more information:

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/desktopnews/small-overlap-crash-protection-front-crash-prevention-key-to-2016-awards-48-models-earn-top-safety-pick-award-13-earn-top-safety-pick

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