The chances of dying in a crash in a late-model vehicle havefallen by more than one-third in three years, and improved vehicledesigns and safety technology have a lot to do with the continuingdecline, according to a new report by the Insurance Institute for HighwaySafety (IIHS).

Among 2011 models—the most recent year included in the study—arecord nine vehicles have driver death rates of zero. The listof models with the lowest death rates illustrates just how muchvehicles have improved. Eight years ago, there were no models withdriver death rates of zero. These vehicles—which include severalluxury models but also some less expensive ones such as the KiaSorento midsize SUV and the Subaru Legacy sedan—had no driverdeaths during the calendar years studied.

[Related: Top 10 vehicles with the highest rates of driverdeaths]

One striking thing about the group of zero-death vehicles—asidefrom the sheer number—is that two-thirds of them are SUVs. Adecade ago, SUVs had some of the highest death rates, due to theirpropensity to roll over. However, the addition of electronicstability control (ESC) has dramatically lessened the risk ofrollover crashes in SUVs and all vehicles.

[Related: Here are the safest vehicles on the road, 2015edition]

Here is the countdown of the 10 vehicles with the lowest deathrates among the 2011 models, with the type of vehicle and number ofdeaths per million registered vehicles.

10. Honda Pilot 4WD, SUV, midsize (2)

(Photo: ArtKonovalov / Shutterstock.com)

9. Volvo XC90 4WD, luxury SUV, midsize (0)

(Photo: RobertGubbins / Shutterstock.com)

8. Toyota Sequoia 4WD, SUV, large (0)

(Photo: RituManoj Jethani / Shutterstock.com)

7. Toyota Highlander hybrid 4WD, SUV, midsize(0)

(Photo: Ritu Manoj Jethani / Shutterstock.com)

6. Subaru Legacy 4WD, 4-door car, midsize(0)

(Photo: Ed Aldridge / Shutterstock.com)

5. Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 4WD, luxury SUV, large(0)

(Photo: DDCoral / Shutterstock.com)

4. Lexus RX 350 4WD, luxury SUV, midsize(0)

(Photo: eans / Shutterstock.com)

3. Kia Sorento 2WD, SUV, midsize (0)

(Photo: DDCoral / Shutterstock.com)

2. Honda Odyssey, minivan, very large (0)

(Photo: Ed Aldridge / Shutterstock.com)

1. Audi A4 4WD, luxury car, midsize (0)

(Photo: MaksimToome / Shutterstock.com)

The Audi A4 is one of nine 2011 vehicles with driver deathrates of zero according to the latest IIHS report. For moreinformation about the report and the complete list of vehicles withthe lowest rates of driver deaths, as well as the highest, seeSaving lives: Improved vehicle designs bring downdeath rates.